The Rio Cine Awards is an international short film festival dedicated to bold narratives, diverse voices, and artistic innovation.

Now in its 3rd Edition (March–April–May 2026), the festival continues its quarterly live format in Rio de Janeiro, bringing selected films to the big screen in an in-person screening event.

All films submitted in March, April, and May were considered for the May 30th, 2026 edition.

Internal Calendar:
Submissions: March, April, and May
Selections Announced: May 24nd, 2026
Live Edition: May 30th, 2026

Official Categories:
Best International Short – Pão de Açúcar Award
Best Documentary Short – Narrativas do Arpoador Award
Best Horror / Thriller Short – Arcos da Lapa Award
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Female Director
Best Male Director

The festival is held in person with a live screening event in Rio de Janeiro. Selected and awarded films receive official certificates, custom laurels, and social media promotion to enhance their visibility and recognition.

Submit your short film and be part of this celebration!
RIO CINE AWARDS – 3RD EDITION
Quarterly Edition – May 30th, 2026
International Short Film Festival • Live Screening in Rio

O Rio Cine Awards é um festival internacional de curtas-metragens dedicado a narrativas ousadas, vozes diversas e inovação artística.

Em sua 3ª Edição (Março a Maio de 2026), o festival consolida seu formato trimestral presencial no Rio de Janeiro, exibindo os filmes selecionados em uma sessão ao vivo.
Todos os filmes inscritos em março, abril e maio foram considerados para a edição de 30 de maio de 2026.

Calendário Interno:
Inscrições: Março, Abril e Maio
Anúncio dos Selecionados: 24 de Maio de 2026
Edição Presencial: 30 de Maio de 2026

Categorias Oficiais:
Best International Short – Pão de Açúcar Award
Best Documentary Short – Narrativas do Arpoador Award
Best Horror / Thriller Short – Arcos da Lapa Award
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Female Director
Best Male Director

O festival é realizado presencialmente, com exibição ao vivo no Rio de Janeiro. Filmes selecionados e premiados recebem certificados oficiais, laurels personalizados e destaque nas redes sociais para ampliar sua visibilidade e reconhecimento internacional.

Inscreva seu curta e faça parte desta celebração!
RIO CINE AWARDS – 3ª EDIÇÃO
Edição Trimestral – 30 de Maio de 2026
Festival Internacional de Curtas • Exibição Presencial no Rio

Awards & Prizes

Quarterly winners receive:

Official Certificate

Personalized Laurels

Promotion on our social media

Vencedores trimestrais recebem:

Certificado oficial

Laurel personalizado

Divulgação nas redes sociais do festival

Rules & Terms

General Rules:
We accept only fiction short films up to 30 minutes in length.

Films must have been completed after January 2025.

All films must have English subtitles, unless the original language is English.

Films from any country are welcome.

Films already available online are also accepted.

A film may be submitted to more than one category, provided each submission includes the appropriate fee.

About Awards:
Films submitted to Best Brazilian Short, Best International Short, and Best Global Horror Short are automatically eligible for the individual awards of Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

Monthly winners receive official certificates, customized laurels, and promotion.

Terms:
Entry fees are non-refundable.

The festival does not require exclusivity.

Submission grants the festival the right to use trailers, posters, and stills for promotional purposes.

The selection made by the festival jury is final and non-negotiable.

By submitting your film, you agree to all of the above rules.

Regras Gerais:
Aceitamos apenas curtas-metragens de ficção com até 30 minutos de duração (incluindo créditos).

Os filmes devem ter sido finalizados a partir de janeiro de 2024.

Todas as obras devem estar legendadas em inglês, exceto se o idioma original for o inglês.

Os filmes podem ser de qualquer país.

Filmes já disponíveis online também podem participar.

Cada curta pode ser inscrito em mais de uma categoria, desde que pague a taxa correspondente.

Sobre a Premiação:
Todos os filmes inscritos nas categorias principais (Melhor Curta Brasil, Internacional e Terror Global) são automaticamente considerados para as categorias individuais de Melhor Direção, Melhor Ator e Melhor Atriz.

Os vencedores mensais recebem certificados, laurels e divulgação.

Termos:
As taxas de inscrição não são reembolsáveis.

O festival não exige exclusividade sobre a obra.

O envio do filme implica que o participante autoriza o uso de trechos, pôsteres e imagens para fins promocionais do festival.

A curadoria do festival é final e não cabe recurso.

Ao submeter seu filme, você concorda com todas as regras acima.

8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • André Leão

    Great festival! It was an honor!

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much! It was an honor to have your film with us as well. The audience really enjoyed it, and we truly appreciate your support.

  • Barath Raj

    Rio Cine Awards team is really supportive. From selection to announcement, they keep everything informed and transparent. Thanks for hosting an awesome festival.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words!
    We truly appreciate your feedback and are so glad you enjoyed the experience with the Rio Cine Awards.
    Our team works with passion to keep everything transparent and to celebrate filmmakers like you.
    Hope to see your next film in our future editions! 🎬✨

  • Neha Lalani

    Thank you very much to 'Rio Cine Awards' for awarding my film "The Little Joys" with Best Female Director! It's such an honor to be a part of this event.
    Congrats to all the award winners and selected projects!

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Congratulations on your award! 🎬✨
    Your film “The Little Joys” moved our jury with its sensitivity and strong direction.
    We’re honored to recognize your talent as Best Female Director at the Rio Cine Awards.
    Wishing you continued success and hope to see your next projects soon! 🌟

  • Mikheil Gabaidze

    I congratulate the festival organizers, the jury, my beloved cinema city, and especially all film lovers on the completion of another season of such an interesting and important festival. The organization and selection are truly essential — they represent the true value of a film festival.

    Of course, winning in the nominations is wonderful, but what matters most is simply taking part in the festival. Once again, I congratulate the festival, all filmmakers, and wish everyone great success ahead.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind message and congratulations! Our audience really enjoyed your film, it received a great response during the screening. We truly appreciate your participation and support of our festival.

  • Jonathan Oliveira

    Such an honor to have been apart of the first in person edition of this festival. So happy to have been able to attend and greeted with such kindness from all of the festival staff. An amazing event with amazing films and filmmakers. Can't wait to go again!

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words!
    It was truly an honor to have you with us at the first in-person edition of the Rio Cine Awards.
    We’re so glad you could attend and that you felt welcomed by our team — it means a lot to us.

    Your presence and your film made this edition even more special.
    We can’t wait to see your future works and hope to welcome you again next year! 🎬✨

    With gratitude,
    The Rio Cine Awards Team