Films That Move – July and December 2026 Editions
Themes: Breaking the Silence: Healing in the Aftermath |
Folklore & Memory: The Stories That Shape Us
Event Date: Sunday July 26, 2026 | 1:00 PM
Venue: Palace Cineplex, Sovereign Centre, St. Andrew, Jamaica
Films That Move 2026 – Call for Submissions
Films That Move is a biannual short film screening series celebrating Caribbean and African cinema while centering mental health, social issues, and community healing. Through powerful storytelling and guided conversations, the festival creates space for reflection, dialogue, and transformation.
For 2026, we invite filmmakers to submit to one of two themed editions:
JULY 26, 2026
Breaking the Silence: Healing in the Aftermath
This edition focuses on the quiet, complex journey that follows trauma.
We are seeking short films that explore:
• Healing after violence, abuse, loss, or crisis
• Mental health recovery and emotional survival
• Intergenerational trauma and resilience
• Therapy, community care, spirituality, and self-repair
• The unseen work of rebuilding after pain
This theme invites stories that remind us that healing is not linear — and that silence is often the hardest wound to overcome.
DECEMBER 6, 2026
Folklore & Memory: The Stories That Shape Us
This edition explores folklore as living memory — a psychological, cultural, and emotional inheritance.
We welcome films that engage with:
• Caribbean, African and Worldwide folklore, myth, and oral tradition
• Ancestral stories passed down for protection, warning, or healing
• The role of myth in processing fear, grief, and identity
• The blurred line between belief, memory, and the mind
• How old stories continue to shape who we are today
Folklore is not just history — it is how communities remember, survive, and make meaning of the world.
Why Submit to Films That Move?
· Premiere Experience: Your film will be showcased on the big screen at Kingston’s premier cinema before an engaged, empathetic audience.
· Culture-Shaping Dialogue: Each film block is followed by a curated panel discussion with mental health advocates, youth leaders, and cultural voices—turning screening into healing.
· Art with Impact: Your work becomes part of a vital movement using storytelling to normalize struggle, reduce stigma, and empower young people.
· Creative Community: Connect with an international network of filmmakers and advocates who believe in art as a tool for transformation.
Who Should Submit?
Emerging voices. Established storytellers. First-time filmmakers. Students.
Anyone with a vision that aligns with this season’s theme of growth, identity, and resilience.
If you have a story about becoming, this platform is for you.
Submission Details
• Short films only: Maximum 30 minutes
• Open to all filmmakers
• All genres welcome (narrative, documentary, experimental, animation)
• Non-English films must include English subtitles
Submission Timeline
• Submissions Open: March 2026
• Pause: May 2026
• Reopen: July 2026
• Final Deadline: October 2026
Films submitted early may be considered for either edition, depending on thematic alignment.
If Selected, You Will Provide:
· Director’s bio + headshot
· Film synopsis & key artwork
· Social media handles (for promotion)
· A post sharing your official selection
Ready to share your truth, shake the screen, and move minds?
Submit your short film today.
Let’s break the silence, one story at a time.
1. “Voice of Change Award” – for the most impactful film on mental health or social issues.
2. “Cultural Resonance Award” – for a film that best celebrates Caribbean or African heritage.
3. “Innovative Storytelling Award” – for the most creative approach to storytelling.
4. “Heart of the Festival Award” – given to the filmmaker whose work most deeply embodies the spirit of the festival.
5. “Emerging Filmmaker Award” – to recognize a promising first-time filmmaker.
6. "Lens of Legacy Award" - for cinematography that reveals the soul of the story through every frame.
