3rd EDITION KURRAK FILM AWARDS 2026

Auka!

The KURRAK Film Awards’ 3rd Edition will celebrate the Kumeyaay New Year in San José de la Zorra on Saturday September 26th, 2026, with a cultural event, the awards ceremony for the films competing in the oficial selection, the projection of Xiica Cmotomanoj, followed by the concert of Seri rock band Hamac Caziim.

An IMDb qualifier festival, the Festival de Cine del Valle de Guadalupe A.C. is a Native women-led cinematographic arts and cultural non-profit organization. Founded at Casa Kurrak in 2023, the festival emanates from over sixteen years of celebrating the singular voices of our people, in film and community, and exists to carry this spirit further.

We welcome productions worldwide. We curate films written and directed by auteur-filmmakers working in fiction and documentary formats, to explore and to share people’s personal stories, emotional experiences, social backgrounds, and artistic visions. Our mission is to discover, expose, and promote independent, local, and indigenous filmmakers while drawing worldwide attention to Baja California as a center for cultural and cinematographic traditions and resilience.

SELECTION & DEADLINE
The deadline for the 3rd Edition’s submissions is on Friday August 28th, 2026.

The selection centers on the filmmakers’ cinematic genuine and singular expressions.

Our panel of Jurors are:
• Emmy-award winning directors (Sebastian Díaz Aguirre, Julia Gorbach),
• Directors Guild of America directors (Pete Chatmon DGA, Antonio Scarlata DGA),
• Mexican Society of Cinematography cinematographer (Alejandro Mejía AMC),
• British Academy Film Awards voting members (Petra Korner BAFTA, Rodrigo Reyes BAFTA),
• Industry professional filmmakers (Eva Aridjis, Antonio Coello, J. Xavier Velasco),
• Award-winning documentarians (Armando Croda, Idil Ibrahim),
• Festival programmers (Adriana Trujillo, Alessio Giorgetti),
• Audio engineer pro (Nikola Chapelle),
• Grammy artist (Pepe Mogt),
• Animal Politico and ViX distribution platform (Adrian Saravia),
• and High-profile sustainability officer (Karl Pettersen).

Our jurors are looking for character driven emotional experiences, movies that are the authentic expression of the individuals coming from all walks of life, and unique cinematographic language. We are not interested in movies that copy the soulless industry’s narratives. We also welcome filmmakers with disability to share their perspectives.

For the film projects selected we will feature their trailers on our platform and on our YouTube page for viewers to watch. A number of those films selected in the official competition will be screened at Cine Kurrak year round.

“A local film festival on Kumeyaay Land made by filmmakers dedicated to the singular voices of auteur filmmaking”

MANIFESTO AUKA
1. Celebrate Auteur Filmmaking:
Honor the unique visions of filmmakers

2. Amplify Singular Voices:
Provide a platform for authentic narratives

⁠3. Cultural Heritage:
Rooted in norteño traditions of the Kumeyaay people in Baja California

⁠4. Sanctuary for Expression:
Create a safe haven for open dialogue

⁠5. Depth Over Distraction:
Prioritize meaningful engagement over fleeting content

⁠6. Combat Brain Rot:
Resist superficiality of social media and promote thoughtful viewing

⁠7. Champion Slow Entertainment:
Invite audiences to experience films that are soul-nourishing

⁠8. Inspire Future Filmmakers:
Make filmmaking careers accessible to all and break down barriers of elitism

⁠9. Local Focus, Global Welcome:
Serve primarily the local public while embracing an international audience

10. Emotional Experience:
Ensure every film evokes genuine emotions, sparking reflection

Awards & Prizes

THE KURRAK AWARDS
The Valle de Guadalupe Film Festival is dedicated in showcasing authentic and singular voices in cinema that encourage exploration and reflection. The Kurrak Award is the mark of the resilience and integrity it took for an individual and a collective to produce their creation. In Kumeyaay language “kurrak” signifies the brave, the wise warrior, the elder. Our festival recognizes the following categories:

LA RAMA DE ORO for
Best Director in a Narrative
Best Director in a Documentary
Best Screenplay
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Ensemble Cast
Best Cinematography in a Narrative
Best Cinematography in a Documentary
Best Editing in a Narrative
Best Editing in a Documentary
Best Original Music
Best Sound Design
Best Production Design
Best Hair & Make-Up
Best Art & Costume Design
Best VFX

GRAND JURY PRIZE for
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Animation Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Animation Short
Best Commercial
Best Music Video
Best Series
Best Trailer
Best AI

AUDIENCE AWARD
SPECIAL JURY AWARD

Rules & Terms

TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please read these rules and terms carefully before you submit your film. By submitting your film to competition at Valle de Guadalupe Film Festival (VGFF) you expressly acknowledge and agree that you shall be bound by the terms of these Rules & Terms. VGFF is open to any film, regardless of content, subject, or origin. Submitting your film to this festival does not guarantee selection. All the official selections, nominees, and winners will be listed on our website permanently. We treat every filmmaker equally.

1. Films submitted to VGFF can be re-submitted at any time.

2. Films made in languages other than English must have English subtitles otherwise they will be summarily rejected. Films made in English must have Spanish subtitles.

3. VGFF reserves the right to refuse entries.

4. A director/producer may submit more than one film in a category and more than one category at a time.

5. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless VGFF, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, and publicity.

6. After a film has been officially selected the filmmaker will be notified, and eventually, the film will be listed on the festival website under Official Selections. The Official Selection status doesn’t mean that your film will be screened at the festival. It means that your film has been appreciated by our judges of the panel and you can use the festival logo on your poster.

7. VGFF will not refund any fees if the filmmaker fails to submit the film in the correct category. Films submitted without the correct fees or proper submission media may be deemed ineligible at the discretion of the VGFF programming director or executive director. The festival does not cover any of the expenses incurred by the filmmaker.

8. We require an official trailer, a poster, a synopsis, and a link to your film. Please select the correct category while submitting to avoid disqualification. We reserve the right to re-assign films to the appropriate category.

9. A nominee will be privately screened for VGFF judging panel, and will not be screened initially to the public.

10. A filmmaker’s submission fee will not be reimbursed if they decide to withdraw their submission. All entry fees are non-refundable.

11. VGFF may without advance notice amend these Rules & Terms from time to time. Each and every such amendment shall become effective immediately. It is your responsibility to periodically check for updates on these Rules & Terms.

By submitting your work, you indicate your acceptance of the festival's regulations.
16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Maria De La Rosa

    I was so very inspired by the Festival de Cine del Valle de Guadalupe's manifesto and purpose and as a first time submitter to a film festival felt confident that we would truly be seen. When I had a few questions that I sent in I was honored that the director took the time to personally respond with very insightful and supportive feedback. My only wish is that I could have experienced the Festival in person-- I will make it a goal to be in person at next year's Festival. Thank you!!

    October 2025
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  • Antonio Coello

    A wonderful venue with an almost visible soul of its own. Embeded globally and locally with a sensitive vision, the festival celebrates culture, art, and cinema in a unique, wholehearted and vibrant way.
    Long live the festival and the people who make it happen!
    One my favourite film festivals ever!

    October 2025
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  • Luis Arenas

    They never contacted me..I don´t know if they screened my film or not, you should not allow this festivals to ask for screenings, there are really
    zero serious...

    October 2025
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  • John Kalning

    Was selected but was not contacted, looked like a fun event with great films.

    October 2025
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  • Juan Garrafa

    The Festival de Cine del Valle de Guadalupe is a unique and inspiring experience. Set in the beautiful landscape of the Valley, the organization is guided by Dylan Verrechia & Angel Díaz´s vision to promote and safeguard meaningful voices and community stories. The atmosphere is warm and professional, offering a space to connect with filmmakers, producers, and audiences while discovering remarkable films and shorts. A festival that truly honors cinema and creates genuine connections.

    El Festival de Cine del Valle de Guadalupe es un espacio único, enmarcado por la belleza del lugar y por una organización que refleja claridad y visión. Bajo la dirección de Dylan Verrechia, el festival se ha consolidado como un punto de encuentro para promover y resguardar las voces importantes y los relatos de comunidades diversas, siempre en sintonía con la esencia del Valle.

    Para mí, ha sido una experiencia profundamente especial: la oportunidad de descubrir películas y cortometrajes entrañables, compartir con sus directores y productores, y al mismo tiempo crear conexiones valiosas que nacen de la pasión por el cine. El festival no solo presenta obras, sino que también genera un ambiente de diálogo, cercanía y celebración en torno al arte cinematográfico.

    October 2025
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