PARTICIPATION RULES 2026
The 6th edition of the SEX EDUCATION FILM FESTIVAL, the international short film festival on sexual education, will take place from May 04 to 8, 2026.
The Sex Education Film Festival (SEFF) is the first international short film festival focused on sexual education and health. The festival presents a selection of documentaries and short films from around the world that address topics such as sexual diversity, consent, sexual health, gender identity, gender equality, and healthy relationships, among others.
The festival was created with the goal of promoting awareness and understanding of sexual education through cinema. SEFF also organizes talks, debates, and parallel activities to encourage reflection and dialogue on these topics.
The festival serves as an important platform for filmmakers who wish to explore issues related to sexuality and sexual health, as well as for audiences who want to learn and connect with others who share similar interests and concerns.
The Sex Education Film Festival is committed to education for all ages and is divided into two distinct sections: Teens and Adults.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
- Short films produced from January 2021 onwards are eligible to participate.
- Any national or international short film that addresses the theme of sexual education, whether fiction, animation, or documentary, may be submitted.
- Each participant may submit more than one short film.
- Films may be presented in any language but must include English and Spanish subtitles (mandatory for the official selection). Catalan subtitles are also encouraged.
- Short films must not exceed 20 minutes in length.
- Film submissions will be open from March 20, 2025, to September 10, 2025 (both dates inclusive).
- Films must be submitted online via Festhome, Movibeta, FilmFreeWay, ClickforFestivals, FilmFestPlatform, or via WeTransfer to info@sexeducationfestival.com, as indicated at the end of these rules. Participants will receive confirmation of their submission via email.
Selected filmmakers must provide the following materials:
- A high-quality copy of the short film
- Stills and an official poster
- Teaser trailer
- Spanish and English subtitles (mandatory) and, if possible, Catalan subtitles
Submissions must be sent through the platforms or via WeTransfer to the official festival email: info@sexeducationfestival.com.
- The official selection will be announced on February 2026. Finalists will be notified on December 2025, to begin festival preparations. Finalists must submit all necessary screening materials within 30 days (by January 2025). Failure to do so may result in exclusion from the official selection.
- Short films must not contain content that disrespects any person, group, or entity, nor infringe on the rights to honor, privacy, image, or any other rights affecting third parties.
- The SEX EDUCATION FILM FESTIVAL declines all legal responsibility regarding the submitted films and their content.
- Participants guarantee that their films do not infringe on any intellectual, industrial, or exploitation rights.
- The authors of the submitted short films grant the festival the rights for public screening during the festival.
- Submitted materials will be archived by the festival for one year.
- The official selection’s screening rights are granted for one year following the festival’s conclusion, allowing participation in festival-related activities such as the SEFF Tour.
- The festival reserves the right to use clips (up to 30 seconds) from selected short films for promotional purposes on the official website and social media.
- Films previously selected in past editions will not be eligible for the Official Selection.
- Selected films may be included in a collection available on Filmin for four weeks, from February 16 to March 15, 2026. Selected filmmakers will be notified via email.
SELECTION PROCESS AND JURY
- The festival will appoint a jury composed of professionals from the fields of cinema, audiovisual media, communication, sexual education, and sexual health.
- After reviewing all submitted short films, the festival team will select productions for the TEENS EDUCATION and ADULTS EDUCATION sections, which will be screened at various festival venues.
- The jury will evaluate the Official Selection’s finalist films and determine the winners.
- The audience attending the screenings will vote to select the Audience Awards.
- The festival may also grant Honorary Mentions at its discretion.
SCREENINGS
- Screenings will take place from February 09 to 14, 2026, at designated festival venues (venue TBD).
AWARDS
Two categories:
A) TEENS EDUCATION (Short films aimed at primary and secondary school students, ages 10 and up):
- Jury Award for Best Documentary, Fiction, or Animation Short Film: €500
- Audience Award for Best Documentary, Fiction, or Animation Short Film: To be determined
B) ADULTS EDUCATION (Short films aimed at adults, ages 18 and up):
- Jury Award for Best Documentary, Fiction, or Animation Short Film: €500
- Audience Award for Best Documentary, Fiction, or Animation Short Film: To be determined
- Audience Awards and Honorary Mentions: No monetary prize
- The jury may declare a category void if deemed appropriate.
- Awards are subject to applicable taxes.
SEFF TOUR
The SEFF Tour is an educational initiative that brings a curated selection of past official SEFF short films to municipalities and locations that request it. The screenings are followed by a debate and discussion session with a professional in sexual education.
SEFF Tour Conditions:
- SEFF Tour organizers will select the short films and notify the production teams via email.
- A commission of €20 per screening session is offered.
- Payments are made at the end of the year based on the number of sessions.
- Selected filmmakers will receive an official email and must sign a one-year agreement.
REGISTRATION AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Films must be submitted online via Festhome, Movibeta, ClickforFestivals, FilmFreeWay, FilmFestPlatform, or WeTransfer to info@sexeducationfestival.com.
- The submission deadline is September 10, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered unless an extension is granted.
- Selected films must provide a high-quality HD copy, stills, an official poster, a teaser, and Spanish and English subtitles (mandatory) and, if possible, Catalan subtitles.
- The festival reserves the right to adapt films for optimal projection quality.
- The festival has the final say on any unforeseen issues.
ACCEPTANCE OF RULES
By participating, filmmakers confirm:
- They are of legal age.
- Schools submitting films must have an adult complete the registration.
- They accept all festival rules and authorize the use of their name and image for promotional purposes.
PRIVACY POLICY
- Participation implies acceptance of film reproduction for promotional purposes.
- Data will be processed confidentially following data protection laws.
- The festival's legal entity is SEX EDUCATION FILM FESTIVAL, based at C/ Lepant 89, 08203 Sabadell, Spain.
- Participants may request access, correction, or deletion of their data.
CONTROL AND SECURITY MEASURES
- The festival reserves the right to exclude participants engaging in fraudulent or harmful activity.
- Participants must not submit material containing viruses or malicious code.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
- The festival is not responsible for damages due to misuse of content.
- The festival disclaims liability for identity fraud by users.
