OFFICIAL COMPETITION RULES
20TH ARICA NATIVE FILM FESTIVAL 2025
The Arica Native Film Festival is a strategic project of the Altiplano Foundation, whose mission is to support Andean and rural communities in preserving their heritage and achieving sustainable development. The Foundation primarily operates in Arica y Parinacota, Chile, using the Sustainable Conservation model. In 2025, the Festival celebrates its 20th edition, showcasing beautiful films to inspire a love for conservation.
Filmmakers worldwide are invited to submit films to our competition categories.
1. COMPETITION 2025
1.1. RURAL FEATURE FILMS
All genres/formats, over 40 minutes (credits included), portraying stories or imagery of rural life and cultural landscapes outside cities.
1.2. RURAL SHORT FILMS
All genres/formats, up to 30 minutes (credits included), portraying stories or imagery of rural life and cultural landscapes outside cities.
1.3. JALLALLA FEATURE FILMS
All genres/formats, over 40 minutes (credits included), directed, produced, and/or written by filmmakers from ancestral cultures worldwide, highlighting their perspectives on history, customs, rights, territories, languages, and traditions.
1.4. JALLALLA SHORT FILMS
All genres/formats, up to 30 minutes (credits included), directed, produced, or written by filmmakers from ancestral cultures worldwide, highlighting their perspectives as above.
1.5. FILMIN’ ARICA/TACNA FEATURE FILMS
All genres/formats, over 40 minutes (credits included), produced in Arica y Parinacota (Chile) or Tacna (Peru) by local filmmakers, showcasing local stories and natural/cultural treasures of these border territories.
1.6. FILMIN’ ARICA/TACNA SHORT FILMS
All genres/formats, up to 30 minutes (credits included), produced in Arica y Parinacota or Tacna by local filmmakers, showcasing local stories and treasures.
2. GENERAL PARTICIPATION TERMS FOR 2025 COMPETITION
2.1. Submitting a film (via Filmfreeway or our website) implies full acceptance of these rules.
2.2. The applicant must hold exhibition rights or provide sworn authorization from the rights holder.
2.3. Films previously submitted to Arica Nativa (any edition/section) are ineligible.
2.4. Films promoting racism, sexism, xenophobia, intolerance, excessive consumption, or violating human rights will be rejected (final decision by Programming Committee).
2.5. A film may compete in only one category.
2.6. Films involving Arica Nativa staff are ineligible.
2.7. Submission period: June 15 – August 30, 2025 (11:59 PM Chile Time).
2.8. Withdrawals require formal written notice from rights holders before the submission deadline.
2.9. Selected films stream on www.aricanativa.cl for 21 days (no downloads permitted).
2.10. Winning films screen in theaters during the festival (November).
2.11. No screening fees will be paid to selected films.
3. SUBMISSION
3.1. Submit via:
Filmfreeway: www.filmfreeway.com/aricanativa
Festival website: http://www.aricanativa.cl/competencia (include online screener link + password if encrypted).
3.2. Screeners are confidential (used only by programmers).
3.3. Applicants release Altiplano Foundation from liability regarding intellectual property violations. Compliance with Chilean Law 18.336 is the applicant’s responsibility.
4. SELECTION
4.1. Films evaluated by Arica Nativa’s Programming Committee for category relevance, technical/artistic quality.
4.2. 3 films per category selected for competition (subject to Committee’s discretion).
4.3. Official selection announced: September 30, 2025. Selected filmmakers must email by September 30, 2025 (11:59 PM Chile Time):
High-resolution copy (H264, MOV, or MP4; 1920x1080, 23.97 fps, stereo audio).
Trailer/teaser link.
Promotional materials: Poster (69x105 cm / 1956x2876 px) + 5 high-res stills.
Notarized screening authorization letter (signed by rights holder).
Optional: Press kit.
Spanish subtitles (.SRT/.VTT) if applicable.
4.4. Send materials via WeTransfer, Mega, Dropbox, etc., to: programacion@aricanativa.cl + jesusmellado@fundacionaltiplano.cl.
4.5. Non-Spanish films require Spanish subtitles (costs not covered by festival).
4.6. Failure to submit materials on time disqualifies the film.
4.7. Non-selected films notified by email (no appeals).
4.8. Submission grants Altiplano Foundation irrevocable rights to use clips/stills for promotional purposes.
5. JURY
5.1. Jury members appointed by Altiplano Foundation (no appeals).
5.2. Jury members must not be affiliated with competing films or festival staff (disclose conflicts within 48 hours of appointment).
5.3. Three jurors per category.
5.4. Jury deliberations are confidential; decisions by majority vote.
5.5. Winners announced at closing ceremony (November) and on www.aricanativa.cl/social media.
5.6. If the event is canceled, results published online only.
6. AWARDS
6.1. Prizes:
Best Feature Film (all categories)
Best Short Film (all categories)
Best Wawa Short Film
Best Filmin’ Arica-Tacna Film
6.2. Cash prizes:
Features: 800 USD
Shorts: 400 USD
Paid via PayPal (international) or bank transfer (Chile only) within 6 months of results.
6.3. Winners must include "Arica Nativa Winner" laurels on promotional materials.
6.4. Special mentions may be awarded (with Tropero sculpture).
6.5. Winners provide payment details within 15 days of notification. Non-response forfeits the prize.
7. PROGRAMMING
7.1. Festival reserves the right to adjust programming. Changes communicated via www.aricanativa.cl, social media, and email to selected filmmakers.
Key Cultural Terms Retained:
Jallalla: Aymara/Quechua term for celebration/resilience.
Mallku: Andean concept of mountain spirit/guardian.
Pachamama: Quechua/Aymara for "Mother Earth".
Tropero: Sculpture award symbolizing Andean caravan leaders.
Wawa: Quechua for "child" (category for young audiences).
Notes:
All deadlines strictly follow Chile Time (CLT/UTC-3).
Questions? Contact programacion@aricanativa.cl.
