Phenomena Festival is a competitive international film festival. Focused in fantasy, sci-fi, horror, thriller and other genre bender experiences.

Our mission is to find the most surreal, unique and amazing genre films of the globe and bring then into the spotlight to be seen by the largest number of cinema aficcionados possible. For that goal, we are constantly in the hunt of the most uncanny film makers out there.

The greatest genre films for us are the ones that on the surface are excellent fantasy or scary movies, but if you start digging, you get a sense of another layer that speaks about a truth of a kind. Simply put, films we do not forget so fast. Films that we get sucked into and go for a voyage with. Genre films or films with genre elements are one of the few last resorts where one can make both art and entertainment and still have that special layer hidden within, and we really love that.

The event takes place in the megalopolis of São Paulo, Brazil and in the coastal city of Paraty in Rio de Janeiro, with 7 days of screenings, panels and workshops.

São Paulo is one of the biggest and busiest cities of world and a huge market for indie films. Few genre festival hits reach our screens so there is a great responsibility and honor in bringing the films to our hungry audience.

We promise a rollicking good time and a slate packed with great films. We can't do that without the filmmakers and artists, so submit now! Diversity and originality are not only welcome, but also encouraged. Absolutely no ratings restrictions, ever.

Awards & Prizes

For Phenomena Festival 2022 we are remodeling our trophy and starting a new phase for the event. Created by artist Davi Cananéia, the Night Mask represents all the mysteries of our worlds, both external and internal. The mask is still on paper and should have its physical version in a few months. It will come with a support and satin ribbon for those who want to use it at masquerade balls or enact their favorite private fantasies. It comes with the power to show us our unconscious facets, dark corners of the soul, as well as bring out our most enlightened and powerful potential. It's a unique and magical item made to honor the best filmmakers on the planet. Wait for news...

Best Feature Film - Phenomena Mask Award
Best Short Film - Phenomena Mask Award
Best Short Animation - Phenomena Mask Award

Other categories will receive our beautiful digital certificate. This certificate highlights the significance and value that art represents for the Phenomena Festival, and therefore it is awarded as a quality seal for the uniqueness and mastery of the cinematic arts demonstrated by this work. In our constant search for works that transcend mainstream entertainment, we applaud visions and artists willing to take risks as narratives, films that escape conventional categorization and stories that dwell on the edges between the surreal, the mysterious and the extraordinary. The creation of films and myths is a unique gift that we have as humans, let's celebrate this potential by praising the great directors who participated in the Phenomena Festival 2022.

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

GENERAL
By entering the Phenomena Festival the participants recognize the elements they fill are true and they are the original authors of their works and holders of the copyright. The participants agree that the organizing committee has the right to refuse to receive works which may be considered offensive morally, political or religiously. Submission of entries acknowledges the right of the organizers to use them for the publication of the catalog/book of the event (including digital publication), for promotion of the event purposes (including posting in social media and adds) and for an eventual exhibition regarding the Phenomena Festival event. Any different use of the entries needs the participant's approval.

FILM
Eligibility Requirements for the feature film and short film competition (jury award):
- Running time for all feature films must be 70 minutes or more
- Running time for all shorts must be less than 30 minutes.
- Selected films must be made available in Blu-ray, or DCP.
- All films must be at least a São Paulo premiere and cannot be made available publicly online at any time before the fest.
- Preview screening format is an online screener ONLY - No DVD screeners.
- If submitting more than one film, a separate completed entry is required for each title.
- The submitted films must have a portuguese or at least english subtitles.

ENTRY FEES, DEADLINE, NOTIFICATION, AND SCHEDULING
Entries are scheduled at the discretion of Phenomena Festival. Phenomena Festival retains the right to make changes to the published schedule at any time and for any reason. Films may be screened more than once.

AWARDS
Prize statue will be delivered at February 2021 the latest.
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tulio Beat

    Experiência maravilhosa exibir meu primeiro curta "A Botija, O Beato e a Besta-Fera" no Phenomena. Grande oportunidade de levar essa história tão nordestina para um público que ama terror, fantasia e cinema de qualidade. Pretendo retornar ao festival e agradeço enormemente o carinho e atenção da produção e do realizador! Sucesso e vida longa ao PHENOMENA FESTIVAL!!!

    December 2021
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  • Emily Bennett

    Brilliant experience as always. Thank you to Cauê and the festival for being so supportive of new voices!

    December 2021
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  • Michael Kehoe

    I would recommend this festival to all filmmakers!

    December 2021
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  • Ethan Blum

    Honored to be a part of this festival. Couldn't attend but the communication and promotion from the organizers was great! Awesome lineup of films.

    January 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks a lot Ethan, its feedback like this that gives us the inspiration to continue onwards and upwards!

  • Vitória Zamfolini

    Excelente festival realizado por pessoas que realmente valorizam e prestigiam o cinema fantástico e de terror! Experiência enriquecedora!

    January 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Muito obrigado Vitória!