1. Tijuana Vertical Film Festival
1.1The Tijuana Vertical Film Festival (TJVEFF) is an international film and audiovisual festival dedicated exclusively to works created in vertical format (9:16 aspect ratio or other vertical proportions).
The objective of the festival is to exhibit, disseminate, and critically engage with audiovisual works by filmmakers, digital artists, and contemporary creators, exploring verticality as a narrative, aesthetic, and technological language of contemporary audiovisual culture.
1.2 Films produced before 2021 are eligible, as well as works that have been previously screened online or at other festivals.
1.3 There is no minimum or maximum duration. Works may range from short-form pieces to long-form projects, provided that the use of the vertical format is conceptually justified.
1.4 The festival aims to support the development, research, and national and international projection of local, national, and international creators working in vertical audiovisual formats.
1.5 Each director or creator may submit multiple works, with no limitation on the number of entries.
2. COMPETITIVE CATEGORIES
(Vertical format required)
All submitted works must be created exclusively in vertical format.
Vertical Audiovisual.
AI Vertical Audiovisual.
Vertical Audiovisual for Social Media.
Final category placement will be determined by the festival’s curatorial committee.
3. OFFICIAL AWARDS
3.1 Best international Vertical Film.
Invitation to the Tijuana Vertical Film Festival (TJVEFF) 2026.
3.2 Best Mexican Vertical Film.
Invitation To The Tijuana Vertical Film Festival (TJVEFF) 2026.
3.3 Best Film Vertical IA.
Invitation to the Tijuana Vertical Film Festival (TJVEFF) 2026.
3.4 Best Vertical Film for Social Media
Invitation to the Tijuana Vertical Film Festival (TJVEFF) 2026.
4. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) GUIDELINES
4.1 The festival accepts works that incorporate Artificial Intelligence at any stage of the creative process, including but not limited to concept development, scriptwriting, image generation, sound design, editing, or post-production.
4.2 AI may be used as a creative tool, collaborative system, or conceptual framework, with no restrictions on the type of software or technology employed.
4.3 The applicant declares that they hold the necessary rights, permissions, and authorizations for the use of AI-generated or AI-assisted content, and releases the festival from any legal responsibility related to its use.
5. SOCIAL MEDIA & DIGITAL PLATFORM PROJECTS
5.1 Projects conceived specifically for social media platforms (such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or similar platforms) are eligible for submission.
5.2 These works must be designed for vertical viewing and digital circulation, and may be submitted as standalone pieces, series, episodic projects, or experimental formats.
5.3 The festival recognizes social media platforms as legitimate spaces for contemporary audiovisual, narrative, and technological experimentation.
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
6.1 By submitting a work, the applicant authorizes its inclusion in the selection process and, if selected, its screening and dissemination as part of the Tijuana Vertical Film Festival.
6.2 The applicant confirms that the submitted work complies with the laws of the country of origin, Mexican legislation, and the regulations of the festival.
6.3 The applicant declares that they are the rightful owner or authorized rights holder of the submitted work, including image, sound, music, AI-generated content, and any copyrighted material.
6.4 The festival organization is exempt from any liability related to moral rights, copyright infringement, or third-party claims. Any legal responsibility rests solely with the applicant.
6.5 The applicant authorizes the festival to use excerpts, still images, or promotional materials from the submitted work for promotion, dissemination, and archival purposes, with proper credit given.
6.6 The organizing committee reserves the right to exclude works of extreme duration or those that do not meet the festival’s technical or curatorial criteria.
6.7 Submission does not guarantee selection or screening. There is no legal right to exhibition.
6.8 The number of works selected for competition is not limited.
The Tijuana Vertical Film Festival understands verticality, Artificial Intelligence, and social media as structural components of contemporary audiovisual culture, fostering experimentation, critical thinking, and the development of new cinematic languages.
