Cinema Arts Centre presents the Q31 Film Festival, a cultural cinema experience that brings together Caribbean, Latinx, and diasporic storytellers with audiences eager for fresh perspectives and vibrant cultural narratives.

Q31 offers filmmakers and photographers a unique opportunity to share their work that honors creativity, identity, and community. We seek films between 5–30 minutes that reflect the depth and diversity of Caribbean and Latinx experiences, as well as stories from across the diaspora.

Selected participants will have the chance to engage directly with audiences and fellow artists through live Q&A panels, networking sessions, and special programming designed to highlight the voices and stories of underrepresented communities.

Q31 is committed to supporting emerging, established, and independent artists by providing a platform for storytelling that inspires, challenges, and connects communities through film, visual media, and live cultural experiences.

**Student Fee Waivers**
Fee waivers are available for currently enrolled university students. To request a waiver, please email Harper@cinemaartscentre.org a copy of your valid 2026 student ID or an official letter of enrollment from your accredited institution. Documentation must clearly confirm current enrollment status. Approved applicants will receive a student submission discount code.

Note: Fee waivers are limited and provided at the discretion of the festival.

Awards & Prizes

Selected filmmakers and photographers will be eligible for awards, including a $500 cash prize and additional gifts from our sponsors.

Award Distribution:
• Awards will be presented to the director or primary creator of the work (as listed in the Festival Submission Form), unless otherwise specified by Q31. Awards will be distributed approximately 8–12 weeks after the festival concludes.
• Award eligibility is subject to any restrictions or conditions imposed by applicable laws and regulations (international, federal, state, or otherwise). Recipients are responsible for any applicable taxes, fees, customs, or other charges associated with receiving the award.

Audience Choice Awards:
• Festival attendees will select their favorite works by casting votes through a QR code provided after each screening or exhibition. Audience Choice Awards will be presented to the films and visual media that receive the highest audience recognition.

Q31 Jury Award – Best Short Film
• All short film submissions are eligible for the Q31 Jury Award for Best Short Film. This award is selected by the festival’s panel of judges and recognizes the film that demonstrates exceptional storytelling, artistic vision, and technical excellence.

Q31 Jury Award – Best Photography
• All photography submissions are eligible for the Q31 Jury Award for Best Photography. This award is selected by the festival’s panel of judges and honors the photographic work that best demonstrates creativity, visual impact, and artistic excellence.

Additional Opportunities:
• Selected participants will also have the opportunity to participate in live Q&A panel discussions, connecting directly with audiences, fellow creators, and industry professionals.

Rules & Terms

By submitting your work (film, photography, or other visual media), you agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Authorization & Rights / Original Work
You confirm that you are authorized to submit the work and that it does not violate any copyright, trademark, or personal rights of others. All necessary permissions, including for music, sound, images, or other copyrighted materials, have been obtained.

2. Eligibility & Multiple Entries
The Q31 Film Festival accepts short films with a runtime of 5–30 minutes, as well as photography and other visual media. Films and projects must have been completed within the past three years. Each submitter may submit up to two entries per category unless otherwise specified.

3. Submission Format
All submissions must be uploaded via FilmFreeway. Please include a working online screener or digital portfolio for visual media.

4. Language
Films not in English must include English subtitles.

5. Premiere Status
Premiere status is not required; however, preference may be given to films or works that have not previously screened or been exhibited publicly in the local region.

6. Selection Process & No Guarantee of Inclusion
All submissions are reviewed by the Q31 programming team. Submission does not guarantee selection. The decisions of the programming team and festival selection committee are final and binding.

7. Screening & Exhibition Format
Selected films and visual media will be presented during the Q31 Film Festival on September 26, 2026, in curated screenings, gallery-style exhibitions, and live performances. Selected artists will also have the opportunity to participate in Q&A panel discussions, connecting directly with audiences and fellow creatives.

8. Screening/Exhibition Materials
If selected, creators must provide high-quality digital screening files, still images, or other promotional materials (film synopsis, artist bio) by the requested deadline.

9. Permission to Screen/Exhibit
By submitting, artists grant Q31 Film Festival permission to present their work during the festival. Artists retain full ownership and copyright.

10. Public Display & Promotional Use
Accepted works may be exhibited publicly and featured on festival websites, social media, and other digital platforms. Submitted documentation may also be used for publicity, educational, or archival purposes.

11. Awards & Prizes
Selected filmmakers and photographers will be eligible for awards, including a $1000 cash prize and additional gifts from our sponsors.

Award Distribution:
• Awards will be presented to the director or primary creator of the work (as listed in the Festival Submission Form), unless otherwise specified by Q31. Awards will be distributed approximately 8–12 weeks after the festival concludes.
• Award eligibility is subject to any restrictions or conditions imposed by applicable laws and regulations. Recipients are responsible for any applicable taxes, fees, customs, or other charges.

12. No Additional Compensation
Except for announced awards, there is no financial compensation for participation. Entrants are responsible for their own submission and participation costs.

13. Youth Entrants
Participants under 18 must provide a release form signed by a parent or legal guardian.

14. Indemnification
You agree to hold harmless the Q31 Film Festival, Cinema Arts Centre, organizers, and partners from any claims, liabilities, losses, or damages arising from your submission or participation.

15. Schedule Changes & Technical Security
The festival reserves the right to change, cancel, or reschedule dates, venues, awards, or categories without prior notice. While care is taken with submitted files, the festival is not responsible for unauthorized copying, file corruption, or other technical breaches.

16. Submission Fees
Submission fees are non-refundable. Fee waivers are available for students enrolled in university programs. Please email a copy of your student ID or a letter from your accredited institution to receive a discount code.

1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Alci Rengifo

    It was such a pleasure to be part of the inaugural edition of this wonderful festival! Great to see how it champions voices from our continent in all their great diversity!

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for participating in the first Q31 Film Festival! Your work being part of the program truly meant a lot. Celebrating diverse voices and stories from our communities is central to Q31's mission, and we appreciate your role in making the inaugural year memorable. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future!