1. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE
BIOGRAF | Festival of Cinema and Moving Arts, organised by ADVERSA, will take place in Vila Nova de Cerveira from August 21 to 29, 2026. The festival aims to promote and showcase audiovisual works selected based on quality, with a focus on discovering new talents and valuing relevant cinematic creations.
By submitting a film, participants acknowledge and agree to be bound by these regulations.
2. ELIGIBILITY
Eligible works include documentaries, fiction, animation, and experimental films with a maximum duration of 45 minutes (Short Films) and 150 minutes (Feature Films), produced between 2023 and 2026 and submitted in digital format (DCP).
Works previously screened in Portugal are accepted, though national premieres are preferred.
3. COMPETITIONS, JURIES AND AWARDS
Juries will consist of up to three recognised professionals or institutional representatives per category, appointed by the festival direction. The following awards will be granted:
FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
Feature Film Award – 2.000 EUR
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Short Film Award – 1.200 EUR
As part of the Short Film category, the audience will also vote to decide a 300 EUR award.
NEW NARRATIVES COMPETITION
Experimental Short Films – 400 EUR
All jury decisions are final and irrevocable.
All awards are granted as gross amounts and may be subject to applicable tax regulations.
No screening fees will be paid for selected films beyond the monetary prizes stated above.
4. DEADLINES AND SUBMISSION FEES
The final submission deadline is July 15 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (GMT+1). Submission fees:
· Feature Film Competition – Regular Deadline: 10 EUR; Late Entry: 15 EUR.
· Short Film Competition – Regular Deadline: 2 EUR; Late Entry: 4 EUR; National: free by waiver fee.
· New Narratives Competition – Regular Deadline: 2 EUR; Late Entry: 4 EUR; National: free by waiver fee.
5. SUBMISSION
Submissions must be made through FilmFreeway:
https://filmfreeway.com/festival/biograffestival
By submitting, participants declare that they hold all legal rights for the exhibition of the film (including image, sound, music, and any additional content) and exempt the organisation from any legal liability resulting from the public screening.
For queries, contact:
→ info@biograffestival.com
6. SELECTION
Selection results will be communicated by July 20. After notification, selected filmmakers must submit:
· 1 to 4 high-resolution stills (min. 300dpi);
· Written authorisation for screening at the festival and, if applicable, for post-festival circuits;
· An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) suitable for promotional use (may include synopsis, trailer, director's bio, credits, poster);
· Subtitle file (.srt or equivalent), if applicable.
Each selected film will be entitled to two festival accreditations. The festival may, at its discretion and depending on resources, provide support for the filmmakers’ attendance.
7. SELECTION CRITERIA
The selection will be based on artistic and technical quality, with preference given to national premieres.
Films previously screened in Portugal are eligible.
Programming decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
8. SCREENING COPIES
Final screening copies must be delivered by August 1, 2025, following selection confirmation, in the following formats:
· Primary: DCP 2K or DCP 4K
· Backup (for technical security): ProRes, H.264, or other high-quality digital formats (.mov or .mp4)
Copies can be delivered via secure digital transfer or, if needed, by physical hard drive (postal address will be provided after selection).
Shipping costs are the responsibility of the participant. The organisation is not liable for damage or loss during transport.
Subtitles must be either embedded or delivered separately (.srt), in Portuguese or English (only if Portuguese is the main language).
9. AI USAGE POLICY AND ETHICAL STANDARDS
Despite rapid progress in creative technology, concerns remain about the ethics and regulation of AI in the film industry. The festival is not indifferent to the current climate within the industry and will not downplay this issue.
Accordingly, the use of AI is strictly prohibited in the festival’s main categories (Feature and Short Films). The selection committee may, however, grant exceptions for applications that do not compromise creative, technical, professional, or ethical integrity. Failure to disclose such use at the time of submission may result in permanent disqualification.
Within the specific context of the “New Narratives” category, the use of AI is permitted. As this category is intended to explore new forms and processes, the festival will not restrict creators, but reserves the right to prioritise projects in the following order:
1) Human-first projects;
2) Projects developed using ethical AI, trained exclusively on the applicant’s own input, subject to proof;
3) Projects partially developed with the use of AI;
4) Projects that apply AI in ways that enable access for new creators who lack the resources or materials of traditional filmmaking, subject to extreme contextual evaluation.
In all cases, the use of AI must be accompanied by a letter of intent outlining:
· The process and specific circumstances in which AI was applied to the project;
· The intention and justification behind its use;
· Systems and generative programs used in the project’s production process.
Applicants will, upon approval, be required to sign a declaration of honour attesting to the accuracy of the information provided. Failure to provide these documents will result in automatic exclusion from the festival.
The project shall be identified as having been created, in whole or in part, using artificial intelligence, in accordance with the transparency requirements set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, Article 50.
10. VIDEO LIBRARY (if applicable)
Selected films may be included in a video library accessible only to accredited professionals during the festival, subject to authorisation. This is not considered a public screening or a premiere.
11. POST-FESTIVAL CIRCULATION (optional)
Selected films may be invited to join “Fronteiras”, a national and international screening programme running from September 2026 to June 2027.
Participants must confirm in writing whether they authorise such screenings. No additional circulation will occur without written consent.
12. ONLINE SCREENING (VoD)
In exceptional circumstances (e.g., force majeure), films may be shown online (VoD – Video on Demand), via a secure, time-limited platform. This will occur only with prior written consent from the rights holders.
13. FINAL PROVISIONS
The Festival Direction will resolve any omissions or doubts regarding this regulation.
Submission implies full acceptance of these terms and authorisation for promotional use of excerpts, images, and materials across official communication channels (physical or digital). Award-winning films must reference the prize in promotional materials and display the official BIOGRAF'26 Festival laurel.
