Late Deadline – May 24, 2026

One of Latin America’s leading genre film festivals is now accepting submissions.

17th Edition | São Paulo, Brazil | September 8–13, 2026

✔️ 1,503 films submitted in the last edition
✔️ 110 films selected for the official program
✔️ 90,000+ audience across all editions
✔️ 1,600+ films showcased over 16 editions

Cinefantasy – International Fantastic Film Festival was created to promote and celebrate fantastic cinema in all its forms, including horror, fantasy, science fiction, and hybrid genres.

Over sixteen editions, Cinefantasy has established itself as a key platform for genre filmmakers, presenting bold and innovative works from around the world.

The festival has expanded beyond São Paulo with screenings across major Brazilian cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Manaus, and Santos, as well as international collaborations in Spain, Chile, Peru, and Colombia.

Held in São Paulo — one of the largest cultural capitals in the world — Cinefantasy offers filmmakers international exposure and the opportunity to connect with audiences, critics, and industry professionals passionate about fantastic cinema.

The 17th edition will take place from September 8 to 13, 2026, featuring competitive screenings, special programs, and immersive experiences.

Thousands of submissions are received every year, and the selection reflects a highly curated and competitive process.

Submit your film today and be part of Cinefantasy 2026.

Prazo Final – 24 de maio de 2026

Um dos principais festivais de cinema de gênero da América Latina está com inscrições abertas.

17ª Edição | São Paulo, Brasil | 8 a 13 de setembro de 2026

✔️ 1.503 filmes inscritos na última edição
✔️ 110 filmes selecionados para a programação oficial
✔️ Público superior a 90 mil pessoas ao longo das edições
✔️ Mais de 1.600 filmes exibidos em 16 edições

O Cinefantasy – Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantástico foi criado para promover e celebrar o cinema fantástico em todas as suas formas, incluindo terror, fantasia, ficção científica e gêneros híbridos.

Ao longo de dezesseis edições, o Cinefantasy consolidou-se como uma importante plataforma para realizadores do cinema de gênero, apresentando obras ousadas e inovadoras de todo o mundo.

O festival expandiu sua atuação para além de São Paulo, com exibições em importantes cidades brasileiras como Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Manaus e Santos, além de colaborações internacionais na Espanha, Chile, Peru e Colômbia.

Realizado em São Paulo — uma das maiores capitais culturais do mundo — o Cinefantasy oferece aos realizadores visibilidade internacional e a oportunidade de se conectar com público, críticos e profissionais da indústria apaixonados pelo cinema fantástico.

A 17ª edição acontecerá de 8 a 13 de setembro de 2026, com mostras competitivas, programas especiais e experiências imersivas.

Todos os anos, milhares de filmes são inscritos, e a seleção reflete um processo altamente criterioso e competitivo.

Inscreva seu filme agora e faça parte do Cinefantasy 2026.

Awards & Prizes

The Cinefantasy Trophy is a tribute to legendary Brazilian filmmaker José Mojica Marins (Coffin Joe), an iconic figure in fantastic cinema.

Awards are presented to the main winners of each competitive section and are selected by an international jury.

Feature Film Competition

Best Film
Audience Award – Best Feature Film
Best Screenplay
Best Director
Best Actress
Best Actor

Short Film Competition

Best Animation Short Film
Best Brazilian Fantastic Short Film
Best Student Short Film
Best Fantasy Short Film
Best Science Fiction Short Film
Best Horror Short Film

FANTLATAM Award

Best Feature Film Nominee
Best Short Film Nominee

Rules & Terms

17th CINEFANTASY – INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL
One of Latin America’s leading genre film festivals is now accepting submissions.
September 8–13, 2026 | São Paulo, Brazil
Submissions are open from December 10, 2025 to June 14, 2026.
Only films within the fantastic genre (horror, fantasy, science fiction, and related subgenres) are eligible.

I. ELIGIBILITY
Directors, producers, and distributors are eligible to submit films.
By submitting a film, participants agree that, if selected, the film may be screened during the festival, at the discretion of the organization.
Films may be used in excerpts for promotional purposes across media, including press, social media, and official festival platforms.
Participants must guarantee that they hold all necessary rights and permissions for exhibition.
The festival is not responsible for any legal issues related to submitted works.

II. SUBMISSION
The submission period runs from December 10, 2025 to June 14, 2026.
Submissions must be made via online screener links (Vimeo, YouTube, or similar platforms). Download links (such as WeTransfer) will not be accepted.
Private links must include a valid password.
Films in languages other than Portuguese must include subtitles in Portuguese, English, or Spanish.
Multiple submissions are allowed.
Films must belong to the fantastic genre, including horror, fantasy, science fiction, and hybrid works.
Films must have been produced within the last 24 months.
Films must not have been previously screened at film festivals in the city of São Paulo.
Films previously screened at Cinefantasy are not eligible.
Submission implies full acceptance of these regulations.

III. COMPETITIVE SECTIONS
Feature Film Competition
Fiction and documentary feature films
Produced within the last 24 months
Open to all formats

Short Film Competition
Short films with a maximum runtime of 25 minutes.

Categories include:
Animation
Brazilian Fantastic
Student
Fantasy
Science Fiction
Horror

IV. SELECTION
The Festival Director appoints the curatorial team responsible for the selection process.
A minimum of 10 feature films and 24 short films will be selected for competition.
Films are evaluated based on artistic quality, originality, and technical excellence.
The selection process is highly competitive.
Selected filmmakers will be notified by email by July 27, 2026.
Selected participants may be required to provide additional materials (press kit, images, posters, etc.).
Screening dates and times are determined by the festival.
Films may also be included in special screenings and partner programs.

V. SCREENING & MATERIALS
Selected films must provide all necessary materials for exhibition.
Foreign-language films must provide dialogue lists with timecodes in Portuguese, English, or Spanish.
No film will be screened more than twice during the festival.
The organization reserves the right to use promotional materials.

VI. AWARDS
Awards are presented by qualified juries recognizing excellence in genre filmmaking.

Feature Film Awards
Best Film
Best Screenplay
Best Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Audience Award – Best Feature Film

Short Film Awards
Best Animation Short Film
Best Brazilian Fantastic Short Film
Best Student Short Film
Best Fantasy Short Film
Best Science Fiction Short Film
Best Horror Short Film

FANTLATAM Award
Best Feature Film Nominee
Best Short Film Nominee

Juries evaluate films based on:
Narrative & World-Building
Direction & Artistic Vision
Technical Excellence
Impact & Emotional Engagement
Innovation & Experimentation

Jury decisions are final.

VII. GENERAL CONDITIONS
Please note that the festival does not cover travel, accommodation, or meal expenses.
The organization is not responsible for damage or loss related to submitted materials.
The festival reserves the right to modify dates, rules, and conditions if necessary.
Any issues not covered in this regulation will be resolved by the festival organization.

São Paulo, December 2025
CINEFANTASY – INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL
48 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • TY H

    Cinefantasy is A true feast of fantasy cinema. I’m deeply honored to have been selected. They has excellent taste and a strong curatorial sensibility, and the team is incredibly warm and welcoming. Communication was efficient, smooth, and a real pleasure throughout.

    April 2026
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  • Fusa Films

    One of the very best film festivals in Brazil! The organization, communication, and networking opportunities were truly outstanding. I’m deeply grateful to the entire team for their passion and dedication. Thank you so much for honoring STELLA ANYWAYS with the Best Picture award in the France Fantastique category, it truly means a lot! I wish the best for the next edition!

    October 2025
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  • Ion Kion

    Thank you, CineFantasy (Brazil), for the Honorable Mention for my short The Bounty Hunter at Fantastic IA. An impeccably organized festival, with expertly curated categories and a selection of outstanding quality and diversity. Without a doubt, one of the most important genre festivals in the Americas.
    Honored to be part of it!

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Grand Guignol

    Unfortunately, we weren't able to attend the festival, but we followed all the events and screenings online, as well as the feedback we received from the wonderful Sao Paulo audience.

    We hope to be able to attend in person in the not-too-distant future (and we're already working on it...).

    10/10. Thank you a lot, Cinefantasy!!

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Thomas Canton

    O Cinefantasy é excepcional! Mesmo sem poder estar presente, me senti parte do festival do início ao fim. Eles exibem os filmes online e mantêm o público engajado com a divulgação da programação e dos prêmios. Foi uma honra participar, especialmente ao lado de tantas obras primorosas.

    September 2025
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