KINOX – INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Official Regulations – 1st Edition (2026)
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
KINOX – International Film Festival takes place in Timóteo, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the Steel Valley (Vale do Aço). The festival is dedicated exclusively to live action fiction cinema, promoting independent filmmakers from Brazil and around the world.
The 1st edition features competitive sections for short films and one restricted feature film category.
2. ELIGIBILITY
2.1 Accepted Format
Only Live Action Fiction Films are eligible.
The following are not accepted:
• Animated films
• Documentary films
• Experimental non-narrative films
• AI-generated films without live action performance
2.2 Production Date
Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.
2.3 Premiere Status
Premiere status is not mandatory, but Brazilian premieres are preferred.
2.4 Subtitles
All non-Portuguese language films must include Portuguese subtitles for screening at the festival.
Films originally produced in Portuguese must provide English subtitles.
Subtitles for selected films may be delivered up to seven (7) days after the official selection notification.
Failure to submit the required subtitles within the stipulated deadline may result in disqualification from the screening program and awards eligibility.
3. COMPETITIVE CATEGORIES
SHORT FILMS (Up to 20 minutes – Live Action Only)
Five competitive short film sections:
• Regional Short – Vale do Rio Doce
• Minas Gerais Short
• Brazilian Short
• International Short
FEATURE FILM (60 – 120 minutes – Live Action Only)
• International Live Action Fiction Feature (Restricted Selection)
This category will have a limited curated selection in this first edition.
One trophy will be awarded in this category. The theme for this category is restricted to Narrative Feature Films (Drama preferred) .
World / International / Brazilian premiere not required
4. AWARDS STRUCTURE
SHORT FILM COMPETITION (Live Action Only)
A total of 20 official trophies will be awarded across four competitive short film sections:
📍 REGIONAL SHORT – Vale do Rio Doce
(5 Trophies)
• Best Regional Short Film
• Best Regional Director
• Best Regional Screenplay
• Best Regional Performance (Actor or Actress)
• Best Regional Student Short
🔺 STATE SHORT – Minas Gerais
(5 Trophies)
• Best State Short Film
• Best State Director
• Best State Screenplay
• Best State Performance (Actor or Actress)
• Best Cinematography (State)
🇧🇷 NATIONAL SHORT – Brazil
(5 Trophies)
• Best National Short Film
• Best National Director
• Best National Screenplay
• Best National Actor
• Best National Actress
🌎 INTERNATIONAL SHORT
(5 Trophies)
• Best International Short Film
• Best International Director
• Best International Screenplay
• Best International Performance
• Best Children’s Live Action Short (Audience Category)
FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
(Live Action – Restricted Category)
• International Fiction Feature
This category will have a limited curated selection in this first edition.
One trophy will be awarded in this category. The theme for this category is restricted to drama films.
5. GRAND CREATIVE AWARD
Among all selected short and feature films, the jury will award:
💰 Most Creative Film Award – USD $500
This cash prize will be granted to the film considered the most innovative, bold, and artistically creative work of the festival, regardless of category.
The winner will also receive the official Manoelita Stainless Steel Trophy.
Only one film will receive this monetary award.
6. OFFICIAL TROPHY
All category winners receive the Manoelita Stainless Steel Trophy, the official award of KINOX – International Film Festival, symbolizing artistic excellence and inspired by the industrial identity of Brazil’s Steel Valley.
7. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
• Submissions must be made exclusively via FilmFreeway.
• Only final cuts are accepted.
• Films must be available through a secure online screener.
• Rough cuts and works-in-progress will not be considered.
8. SELECTION PROCESS
All submissions are evaluated by a pre-selection committee.
Final selections and awards are decided by the official jury.
The jury’s decisions are final.
Selected films will be notified via FilmFreeway and email.
9. SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
Selected films must provide:
• High-resolution digital file (minimum Full HD 1920x1080)
• Screening-ready format (MP4 or DCP if required)
• Promotional materials (poster, stills, trailer, synopsis, director bio)
10. RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
By submitting, the applicant confirms:
• They hold all exhibition rights.
• The festival may use excerpts (up to 30 seconds) for promotional purposes.
• Screening fees are not guaranteed in this first edition.
• The film's age rating should be provided.
11. GENERAL CONDITIONS
The festival reserves the right to:
• Modify dates due to force majeure.
• Reallocate films to appropriate sections.
• Cancel categories if minimum submission thresholds are not met.
Submission fees are non-refundable.
• Once selected, films may not be withdrawn from the festival program.
• The festival may use still images, trailers and excerpts for promotional purposes without additional authorization.
12. FINAL PROVISIONS
Selected films may list their participation in the festival on IMDb.
Submission implies full acceptance of these regulations.
Any matters not covered in this document will be resolved by the festival organization.
