Spearheaded by a notable group of talented and successful Latin producers, directors, writers and actors, The Mesoamerican Short Film Festival is comprised of those particular countries that constitute the "Mesoamerican Project", an initiative we support and whose principle aim is integration and the fostering of socio-cultural and economic development. Our multidisciplinary platform will provide all participating filmmakers direct access to this ample and rich geographical region and create nurturing ties between foreign and local talent. By generating sustainable relations and building a community of artists who use film as their principle means of expression, we hope to share and expand our love of cinema whilst creating awareness and tapping into the complexities of life and the human condition. Our commitment is quite personal as is our involvement in every aspect of this ambitious endeavor.

Focusing our attention on the short film genre allows us to reach an ever increasing demographic of independent auteurs creating exciting and innovative work. We have decided to include a category focused on films made with cellular phones, precisely so that our participants can develop narratives with lesser economic restrictions. Our wish is to provide avid, imaginative minds the possibility to share their vision and enrich us with their powerful messages of hope, resilience, tolerance or whatever other important issues they may be tackling creatively. A special category has been reserved for those who wish to explore their ancestral origins and celebrate the beauty, relevance and power of the indigenous tradition. As inheritors of such a sacred patrimony, it seemed befitting for our festival to honor these symbols and timeless principles of life. Beyond our yearly gala celebration, we will be hosting a variety of sustainable seminars, workshops, Q&A sessions and crash-training courses, as well as providing relevant information to filmmakers, within and outside the Mesoamerican region.

Since one of our principle aims is to develop the regional film industry, we will establish long lasting relationships with writers, producers, directors and actors actively working in Mesoamerica, but will equally consider any and all film industry members from any part of the world that may wish to join our academic-driven efforts. The festival’s lines of communication are always open to those interested in sharing ideas, or proposing inventive and accessible ways to expand our understanding of film and our filmmaking experience. Our live events will sporadically move from country to country within our established region, so as to make the experience more enriching for our participants, and to allow each country to benefit from these annual film encounters.

Rules & Terms

We welcome and enthusiastically urge filmmakers from around the world to participate in our festival by submitting their work and becoming part of our creative community.
There is no limit to the amount of films that may be submitted, but our committee will ultimately pick 100 of the most qualified entries to conform our festival content each year. Those not eligible to participate may get an opportunity to showcase their work through our web page at a future date.

Those submitting their work may do so by picking one or more of our available categories. A basic fee is required for the “main category” submission and additional fees for any additional categories. Filmmakers may submit their film in multiple categories in order to potentially become a multi-award winning movie. All winners will receive laurels and may request certificates as well. Based on the level of sponsorship we are able to obtain, we may also award the first place winners with a cash prize.

Winners will be promoted through our social media platforms, website and with the support of various media partners. In case of live event limitations due to current health restrictions, virtual access to all film festival participants will be made available through our on-line platform. We may also share our official selections at private seminars, workshops or socio-cultural events throughout the year.

CATEGORIES:

Best Narrative short
Best Short Documentary
Best Horror short
Best Comedy short
Best Animation short
Best Science Fiction short
Best Experimental short
Best short devoted to the plight or history of the aborigines
Best cell-phone short
Best Music Video
Best Trailer
Best Director
Best Script
Best Cinematography
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Editor

RULES, GUIDELINES
AND RESTRICTIONS

1. Film submissions can come from anywhere in the world and should be no longer than 30 minutes.

2. Films should have been made in the past 4 years in order to enter the competition.

3.Multiple submissions are permissible; however, each submission must be accompanied by its own entry form and submission fee.

4. Films can be available online and in other platforms and still enter the competition.

5. All submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY and a completed online entry form.

6. Submissions can be in any language, but if the original language is not Spanish, they must contain Spanish subtitles at the time submitted.

7. Submissions must be submitted as an online streaming video via a participating submission platform (FilmFreeway), or a password-protected streaming URL. Please be aware of deadlines.

8. In the event of a password change or link change after submitting, you must contact the festival immediately with that change so we may update your record. If the festival is not notified of the change and the link is found to be inactive or the password to be incorrect, the submission may be deemed ineligible.

9. All films will be screened as digital files during the Festival. If you cannot provide us your submission as a digital file for exhibition, we will not be able to accept it.

10. Upon notification of acceptance, all filmmakers will be required to provide a promotional trailer, still photos (300 dpi), a synopsis of the film (100 words or less), a filmmaker statement and biography and a poster from the film. All this for promotional use.

11. Special screenings will be granted to those films that have been financed by a major film studio or television network, or have screened on international network or cable television or distributed to theaters prior to the festival dates. These films, however, will not be eligible for competition.

12. Entry fees are non-refundable. Also, our festival reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries without a refund. No refunds will be given for any submission that asks to withdraw, regardless of reason. By submitting your film for consideration to the Mesoamerican International Short Film Festival, and if picked as an official selection, you grant us the right to screen your short film and are obligated to your commitment.

13. Shorts that are selected to screen at the festival may not necessarily be selected to be “in competition” for award purposes. Notifications regarding potential selection for competition status possibly may occur subsequent to notifications of acceptance for exhibition.

14. Submissions must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the festival. Neither the festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.

15. Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials used in their films, including but not limited to: music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. The Mesoamerican International Short Film Festival disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.

16. All films chosen may be promoted by their filmmakers as “Official Selections” of our festival and may use the laurels we provide, or design their own.

17. The Mesoamerican International Short Film Festival is granted permission by all participating filmmakers to retain copies of each film selected as part of the personal festival files and to be used for academic and educational purposes as the festival deems appropriate.

18. Results from this open call will be published on our official website after all entries have been accepted and the official films selected.