CINEPHONE 2026 15th Edition
**Feature films are allowed. The rules are the same as for short films**
1. Cinephone is for filmmakers who make productions exclusively with smartphone.
2. The festival is free theme organized in 4 categories -FICTION-DOCUMENTARY-MUSICAL VIDEO-ANIMATION.
3. There is no limitation on the number of films submitted by the same participant.
4. The submitted short films must be shot with smartphone and it's very important indicate smartphone brand and model.
5. It's allowed the use of mobile devices (drones, action cameras, etc) in a maximum of 10% of the total length of the short film or feature film.
Additionally, the integration of content generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is permitted for up to 20% of the total content, provided that such use is declared and complies with the conditions described in point 17 of these rules.
In all cases, at least 80% of the footage must be shot with a smartphone.
6. It's allowed during the filming the use of external elements (microphones, lighting, dolls, etc.) and in the post-production the use of any software for editing or treatment of images.
7. Allowed formats: mov, wmv, avi, mp4 (h264), mkv. The short films must have a quality no lower than 1080p.
8. All persons or private spaces that appear in the short films must do so under their consent. We don't accept short films that containing discriminatory material and/or violate the dignity of persons.
9. The short films must be owned of the author or authors and unpublished earlier in this festival.
10. The participant must have the rights to use the music or soundtrack of the short film presented.
11. The Short Films must not exceed 15 minutes, credits included.
The Feature Films duration should be 40 to 120 minutes, credits included.
12. The short films must submitted through the online platform filmfreeway at following link: https://filmfreeway.com/festival/cinephone.
13. All non-English foreign-language films must be subtitled in English (and if possible in Spanish) The foreign-language films that are selected as finalists must be MANDATORY subtitled in Spanish.
14. The period for submission of short films is from January 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026. The films submitted after this date will not enter at current edition of the festival.
15. Participants agree Reproduction and dissemination of their short films with informative or promotional purposes related to the festival. Never ask for the rights of the short film, which at all times will be from the same participant.
16. To participate there is no age limit, but if the filmmakers are under the age of 18 it is mandatory to send an authorization signed by their parents or legal guardians to our email info@cinephone.es.
17. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is permitted in the creation of submitted works, under the following conditions:
• The use of AI must be explicitly declared in an additional technical sheet, specifying the type of tool used (e.g., script generation, image, voice, music, editing, etc.).
• AI may be used in processes such as:
• Scriptwriting or co-writing
• Creation of visual effects or backgrounds
• Generation of music or sound
• Animation, color correction, editing or image processing
• No more than 20% of the total content of the short film or feature film may be fully generated by AI, including synthetic actors or entirely artificial scenes.
• In all cases, at least 80% of the footage must have been shot with a smartphone, as stated in the general rules of the festival.
The organization reserves the right to request clarifications, original footage samples, or technical details if AI use is not clearly specified. Any deceptive or undeclared use of AI that contradicts the spirit of the festival may lead to disqualification.
18.The subjects not contemplated in these bases will not be the responsibility of the organization of the festival.
HOW TO
The organization will pre-select a maximum of 20 finalists short films over all the short films presented and 3 finalists Feature Films over all the Feature Films presented.
In both the "PROFESSIONAL SHORT FILM" and "PROFESSIONAL FEATURE FILM" categories, 3 finalists will be selected in each category.
"REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXCLUSIVE CATEGORY FOR PROFESSIONAL SHORT AND FEATURE FILMMAKERS"
"A Professional Filmmaker is understood to be one who has directed or co-directed more than two short films or feature films qualified for commercial exploitation in cinemas or digital cinema platforms."
JURY AWARDS
A jury formed by professionals (outer to the festival organization) values the technical, narrative and originality and they decide:
• Best Fiction Short Film
• Best Documentary Short Film
• Best Animated Short Film
• Best Music Video
• Best FEATURE Film
ONLY FOR PROFESSIONAL SHORT FILMS
• Best Professional Short Film
• Best Professional Feature Film
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October 2025
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September 2024
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September 2023
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September 2023
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October 2022
