We are thrilled to announce Turkish actress Saadet Işıl Aksoy as Jury President of the Fabrique du Cinéma Awards 2026!

Saadet made her international debut with Semih Kaplanoğlu's "Egg", presented at the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs at Cannes in 2007. In 2012 she gained critical and public acclaim with Sergio Castellitto's "Twice Born", starring alongside Penélope Cruz and Emile Hirsch. A career spanning Istanbul, Europe and Hollywood, always true to auteur cinema.

It's an honour to have her with us!

--

For the past twelve years now, FABRIQUE DU CINÉMA AWARDS has been promoting the creativity of young and talented directors, actors and writers. Filmmakers from all over the world are invited to submit their work to the FABRIQUE DU CINÉMA AWARDS as a demonstration of their relentless pursuit of experimentation and innovation.

With more than 1,300 submissions every year from more than 70 countries, the FABRIQUE DU CINÉMA AWARDS is now one of the most exciting contests in the movie industry.

Among the 12 categories of the FABRIQUE DU CINÉMA AWARDS, the 2025 edition will award especially:
400 euros gross for the Best Italian Short Film.
400 euros gross for the Best International Short Film.

“Fabrique du Cinéma” is the only Italian magazine focused on new talents: among the interviewees you can find “Maestri” like Francesco Rosi, the Taviani Brothers, Marco Bellocchio, Dario Argento and Matteo Garrone, as well as many emerging Italian artists, such as Gabriele Mainetti, Matteo Rovere, Piero Messina, Fabio Mollo and many others.

The JURY has always been composed by well-known international artists. After Willem Dafoe (2017), Paul Haggis (2018-19), Matt Dillon (2020), Alessandro Gassmann (2021) and Michael Hoffman (2022) served as President of the Jury.

Starting from the 2023 edition, the winning director in the Best International Film category is chosen as the President of the Jury for the next year's competition. This is meant to signal how much faith Fabrique du Cinéma has in its auteurs. So, the 2022 winner, José Luis Solís Olivares, served as the President of the Jury for the 2023 Awards; Zhengchao Xu, presided over the 2024 edition and Justin Ho over the 2025 edition.

The "F AWARDS" for the FEATURE FILMS in COMPETITION: 

Best International Documentary Film 

Best International Feature Film 

Best International Short Film 

Best Italian Actor in a Feature Film 

Best Italian Actress in a Feature Film 

Best Italian Debut Feature Film 

Best Italian Innovative Feature Film 

Best Italian Short Film 

Best Italian Soundtrack 

Best Italian TV Series 

Best Short Film Screenplay 

Best TV Series Concept
Best AI Short Film

1) The "F AWARD" as BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
Films from all over the world, that must be at least 60 minutes long, are accepted. Italian films will not be accepted. Any genre is accepted. Any work that was also showed online is accepted.
Films that have been produced since 2023 are accepted.

2) The "F AWARD" as BEST ITALIAN INNOVATIVE FEATURE FILM
Films produced in Italy or by Italian directors, that must be at least 60 minutes long, are accepted.
Any genre is accepted. Any work that was also showed online is accepted.
Films that have been produced since 2023 are accepted.

3) The "F AWARD" as BEST ITALIAN FEATURE FILM DEBUT
Films produced in Italy or by Italian directors, that must be at least 60 minutes long, are accepted.
Any genre is accepted. Any work that was also showed online is accepted.
Films that have been produced since 2023 are accepted.

4) The "F AWARD" as BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
Consists in a cash prize of 400 euros gross.
Films from all over the world, that do not exceed 25 minutes in length, including credits, are accepted.
Any genre is accepted. Any work that was also showed online is accepted.
Films that have been produced since 2022 are accepted.

5) The "F AWARD" as BEST ITALIAN SHORT FILM
consists of a cash prize of 400 euros gross.
Films produced in Italy or by Italian directors, that do not exceed 25 minutes in length, including credits, are accepted.
Any genre is accepted. Any work that was also showed online is accepted.
Films that have been produced since 2023 are accepted.

6) The "F AWARD" as BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM
Films from all over the world, that must be at least 40 minutes long, are accepted.
Films that have been produced since 2023 are accepted.

7) The "F AWARD" as BEST ITALIAN TV SERIES
Series from Italy, that must consist of at least 2 episodes with a minimum total duration of 180 minutes, are accepted.
Any genre is accepted.
Series that have been produced since 2023 are accepted.

8) "The F AWARD" as BEST ITALIAN EMERGING ACTOR in a Feature Film,
is for films that have been produced since 2023.
Any genre is accepted. Any work that was also showed online is accepted.

9) "The F AWARD" as BEST ITALIAN EMERGING ACTRESS in a Feature Film,
is for films that have been produced since 2023.
Any genre is accepted. Any work that was also showed online is accepted.

10) "The F AWARD" as BEST ITALIAN SOUNDTRACK in a FEATURE FILM.
Films that have been produced since 2023.
Any genre is accepted. Any work that was also showed online is accepted.

11) "The F AWARD" as BEST SHORT FILM SCREENPLAY
If participating in the Short Film Screenplay category, creenplays must be no longer than 15 pages. Only PDF files are accepted. We accept screenplays from all over the world, written in English or Italian.

12) "The F AWARD" as BEST TV SERIES CONCEPT
Concepts must be no longer than 15 pages. Concepts must contain logline, plot synopsis, episode synopsis and character profiles. Only PDF files are accepted. We accept concepts from all over the world, written in English or Italian.

General Guidelines for Submission and Participation

1. DATES

The Fabrique du Cinema Awards will be held in DECEMBER 2026.


2. FESTIVAL SECTIONS
The "F AWARDS" for the FEATURE FILMS in COMPETITION: 

Best International Documentary Film 

Best International Feature Film 

Best International Short Film 

Best Italian Actor in a Feature Film 

Best Italian Actress in a Feature Film 

Best Italian Debut Feature Film 

Best Italian Innovative Feature Film 

Best Italian Short Film 

Best Italian Soundtrack 

Best Italian TV Series 

Best Short Film Screenplay 

Best TV Series Concept
Best AI Short Film


3. REQUIREMENTS

Only projects that meet the following requirements will be invited to participate in the Official Selection:
Films must have been completed after January 1st, 2023.
Projects submitted to the Fabrique du Cinema Awards must never have taken part in previous editions. This rule applies to all categories.
If participating in the Short Film category, films must not exceed 25 minutes in length, including credits. We accept short films from all over the world. 
If participating in the Feature Film category, films must be at least 60 minutes long. We accept movies from all over the world.
If participating in the Documentary Film category, films must be at least 40 minutes long. We accept movies from all over the world.
If participating in the TV Series Concept category, concepts must be no longer than 15 pages. Concepts must contain logline, plot synopsis, episode synopsis and character profiles. Only PDF files are accepted. We accept concepts from all over the world, written in English or Italian.
If participating in the Italian TV series category, TV series must be at least 180 minutes long. We accept TV series of at least 2 episodes from Italy.
If participating in the Short Film Screenplay category, screenplays must be no longer than 15 pages. Only PDF files are accepted. We accept screenplays from all over the world, written in English or Italian.
Any genre is accepted. Any work that has been shown online is also accepted. 

The Editorial Board of the Fabrique du Cinema Awards reserves the exclusive and unconditional right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to select and invite short films, feature films, documentaries and television series to participate in the Festival, irrespective of the standard submission process.
 
 
4. SCREENPLAYS
Only screenplays that meet the following requirements may be chosen for the special award:
The screenplays must be no longer than 15 pages and must be written in standard American screenplay format, with progressive numbering of scenes and pages.
The screenplays can be written in English or Italian.
The only accepted format is PDF.
By submitting the screenplay to this contest, the submitter is declaring they are the only owner of the rights of the submitted screenplay.
Any genre is accepted.
Screenwriters may submit no more than 5 screenplays.
 

5. CONCEPTS
Only concepts that meet the following requirements may be chosen for the special award:
The concept must be no longer than 15 pages.
The concept can be written in English or Italian.
Concepts must contain logline, plot synopsis, episode synopsis and character profiles.
The only accepted format is PDF.
By submitting the concept to this contest, the submitter is declaring they are the only owner of the rights of the submitted concept.
Any genre is accepted.
Screenwriters may be submit no more than 2 concepts.
 
6. SELECTION

Once a film has been selected, it cannot be withdrawn from the Festival programme during the event. Notification of selection will take place by 1 December 2026.


7. JURY

The Editorial Board of the Fabrique du Cinema Awards designates the members of the Jury. In keeping with tradition, the Jury President for the Best International Feature Film is selected from the previous year’s winner in that category. Beginning with this edition, the President will be non-Italian, ensuring that the evaluation remains fair, impartial and informed by an international perspective.

No member of the Jury shall have participated, nor be currently participating, in any capacity whatsoever, in the development, financing, production, post-production, distribution, or promotion of any project in competition, nor have any direct or indirect financial or professional interest therein. Any such involvement shall constitute a conflict of interest and shall render the individual ineligible to serve on the Jury.

Decisions will be reached by an absolute majority of votes. 

8. FILMS AND SCRIPTS IN COMPETITION

8a. FEATURE FILMS in COMPETITION

Only 2 feature film per director will be accepted.
The Jury for the Feature Films in Competition shall be required to confer the following awards:
Best International Feature Film;
Best Italian Innovative Feature Film;
Best Italian Feature Film Debut;
Best Italian Actress;
Best Italian Actor;
Best Italian Soundtrack.

8b. SHORT FILMS in COMPETITION
Only 2 short film per director will be accepted.

The Jury for the Short Films in Competition shall be required to confer the following awards:
Best International Short Film;
Best Italian Short Film;
Best AI Short Film.

The Best International Short Film and the Best Italian Short Film will receive a cash prize of €400.

In addition, the Best Italian Short Film winner will gain the unique opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience through distribution on Amazon Prime Video, in collaboration with Direct Digital. 

8c. DOCUMENTARIES in COMPETITION
Only 2 documentary per director will be accepted.

The Jury for the Documentary Films in Competition shall be required to confer the following awards:
Best International Documentary.
 
8d. TV SERIES CONCEPTS in COMPETITION
Only 2 concept per director will be accepted.

The TV series concept awarding categories are:
Best TV Series Concept 
 
8e. SHORT FILM SCREENPLAYS in COMPETITION
Only 5 screenplays per director will be accepted.

The Jury for the Short Film Screenplays in Competition shall be required to confer the following awards:
Best Short Film Screenplay 

8f. ITALIAN TV SERIES in COMPETITION

The Jury for the Italian TV Series in Competition shall be required to confer the following awards:
Best Italian TV Series                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
 
9. FILM REGISTRATION AND DEADLINE
Registrations are open from 4th March 2026 until 1st November 2026 via Film Freeway.
A submission fee is requested during the registration process.
If a film is not selected, the submission fee cannot be refunded.

First deadline: 15th April 2026
Submission fee: 10€

Second deadline: 31st May 2026
Submission fee: 12€

Third deadline: 31st July 2026
Submission fee: 15€

Fourth deadline: 15th September 2026
Submission fee: 17€

Final deadline: 1 November 2026
Submission fee: 20€ euros

These deadlines are subject to change at discretion of the Fabrique du Cinéma Awards Team.

10. DOCUMENTATION

Exclusively for the films invited to the Festival: the Programming Office will send a request for complete documentation and provide a list of required material.

11. LANGUAGE AND SUBTITLES
The program and screening times will be established by the Organizers.
Foreign films will be screened in their original version with English subtitles.
For non English or Italian speaking films, the producers are invited – when possible – to provide an English subtitled print.


12. LEGAL ISSUES

The present rules and regulations have been drawn up in Italian and English. In case of dispute, the Italian version will be final.
Application for entry to the Festival constitutes unconditional agreement to all the rules and regulations herein. The Festival Organizers reserve the right to make decisions on matters not specified herein. Any legal disputes shall fall under the jurisdiction of the Roma Courts.



These rules apply to all sections of the Official Selection.

Updated on: 3rd March 2026

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Professional festival and good communication, focused in all aspect of a project from theme to formatting details

    December 2025
  • Elegance of style, competence and attention to detail are the distinctive features of the Fabrique du Cinéma Awards, in perfect continuity with the distinguished magazine from which they derive. That's why I'm so proud that my film "Three Infallible Rules" was awarded the Best 2024 Italian Debut Feature Film Award, among the many beautiful works selected. Fabrique have been perfect right from the start with their communication, their prioritizing the quality of the works and in organizing the awards ceremony, which was impeccable. Thanks for recognizing and valuing my film.

    Eleganza di stile, competenza e sensibilità per i dettagli sono i tratti distintivi dei Fabrique du Cinéma Awards, in perfetta continuità con la preziosa rivista da cui derivano. Ecco perché sono così orgoglioso che il mio film "Tre regole infallibili" sia stato premiato come Migliore Opera Prima italiana 2024, fra i tanti bei lavori selezionati. Perfetti fin da subito nella comunicazione, nel dare importanza alle opere e nell'organizzazione della cerimonia di premiazione, che è stata impeccabile. Grazie per aver riconosciuto e valorizzato il mio film.

    February 2025
    Response from festival:

    Grazie mille Marco, non avremmo potuto premiare un miglior esordio del tuo! Al prossimo film :)

  • Complimenti per la bellissima cerimonia di premiazione e per l'impegno con cui ogni anno valorizzate nuovi talenti. Grazie ancora per il graditissimo premio Miglior Concept di Serie!

    January 2025
    Response from festival:

    Grazie Andrea!

  • Scott Thompson

    We are so honored to have our script, free martin, selected for this year's 2024 festival. As we work toward bringing this project to the screen, the folks at Fabrique du Cinema have given us the support we need to see this dream through.
    Thank you! Thank you!
    --Hayes & Scott

    December 2024
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much for your words!

  • I am thrilled that my film DIARY OF A FATHER was nominated in the MIGLIOR DOCUMENTARIO INTERNAZIONALE section in 2024. I was also impressed by the quality of the selection. Thank you to the FABRIQUE DU CINEMA Awards. Wishing you continued success!

    December 2024
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Paul Claude! It was a great pleasure to have your beautiful film in our contest