The FIC AUTOR (Author's International Film Festival) is interested in unique and artistic films that exceed the limits of traditional storytelling. We look for Feature and Short Films that reflect the director's personal creative vision, and a style that is distinct enough to shine through the collective process.
WE ONLY CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU SHOW IN YOUR FILM, how CREATIVE you are and how you tell the story, that's it. We don't care if your film has recognized stars or unknown names, if it was shot with an Arri or a DSLR, if it has been accepted to a thousand festivals or none. We don’t base our decisions regarding your gender, sexual orientation, color of your skin, or ethnicity like other festivals. We are against the politics and bureaucracy that flood the film industry. 100% of the films accepted come from the submissions, we don't invite films. We want to be recognized as an objective festival with a tough competition and the most creative global cinema in our theaters!
We're partners with RAINDANCE Film School, so if you're one of our selected filmmakers, you will also screen your film there and have the chance to teach a masterclass in one of the most important film schools in the world and who knows, maybe be spotted by Elliot himself!
The 9th edition of the FIC AUTOR will take place from November 20 to 23, 2025 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México and Tequila Jalisco. We will present the very best films from around the world, ranging from the most unexpected-creative low budget films from unknown filmmakers, to films made by experienced/well known directors. Mano a mano, this competition is tough! FIC AUTOR will strive to be one of the most important cultural events in the city. We aspire to become an international spotlight for new directors!
In the 7th edition we presented the first Honorary Ring to our 1st guest of honor, the Academy Award nominee actress Yalitza Aparicio ("Rome" dir. Alfonso Cuarón) We will continue inviting interesting talents from different fields.
-The 13 winning Authors will receive the WINNER LAUREL, plus FIC AUTOR trophy or rings.
-WINNERS will be announced one month before the award ceremony, so all the nominated filmmakers can decide beforehand whether they want to travel to the festival.
-The Cineforo is one of the biggest cinema theaters in the city with 440 seats, and is the most prestigious.
CATEGORIES:
Feature Films Categories:
-Fictional Feature Films.
-Documentary Feature Films.
-Experimental Feature Films.
-First-Time Filmmaker.
-Low Budget Feature Films Under 50K USD.
-Mexican Feature Films. (For Mexican directors only)
Medium Length Category:
-Medium Length Films. (Any kind)
Short Films Categories:
-Fictional Short Films.
-Documentary Short Films.
-Experimental Short Films.
-Animated Short Films.
-Mexican Short Films. (For Mexican directors only)
-Cineminuto 1 minute Short Films.
ONE FILM CAN BE AWARDED IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES IF IT APPLIES.
AWARDS:
THE 2ND GOLDEN RING! (Every 5 years)
This is a new prize! The best film from each of the next five editions (2022/26) will compete for the golden ring. Yes, a beautiful FICAT ring made of gold. So if your film wins the Best film of 2024, it will automatically compete for the 2ND Golden Ring in 2026!
Best Author's film! (The best of the best)
Winner will receive The Author's FICAT Trophy made of silver and semi-precious stones! (This tropphy could be won by any feature film, fictional, documentary, experimental, animated, etc.)
1- Best Fictional Feature Film.
Winner will receive The Author's FICAT Ring made of 100% silver + Representation to distribute the film in Mexico.
2- Best Documentary Feature Film.
Winner will receive The Author's DOCAT Ring made of 100% silver + Representation to distribute the film in Mexico.
3- Best Experimental Feature Film.
Winner will receive The Author's EXPERIMENCAT Ring made of 100% silver + Representation to distribute the film in Mexico.
4- Best First-Time Filmmaker.
Winner will receive the Author's VIRGINICAT Ring made of 100% silver + Representation to distribute the film in Mexico.
5- Best Low Budget Feature Film Under 50k USD.
Winner will receive the Author's ALLEY-CAT Ring made of 100% silver + Representation to distribute the film in Mexico.
6- Best Feature Film made in México.
Winner will receive the Author's MEXI-CAT Ring made of 100% silver + Representation to distribute the film in Mexico.
7- Best Medium Length Film
Winner will receive the Author's HALF-CAT Ring made of 100% silver.
8- Best Author's Fictional Short Film.
Winner will receive the Author's FICAT SHORT Ring made of 100% silver.
9- Best Documentary Short Film.
Winner will receive the Author's DOCAT SHORT Ring made of 100% silver.
10- Best Experimental Short Film.
Winner will receive the Author's EXPERIMENCAT SHORT Ring made of 100% silver.
11- Best Animated Short Film.
Winner will receive the Author's ANICAT SHORT Ring made of 100% silver.
12- Best Short Film made in México.
Winner will receive the Author's MEXI-CAT SHORT Ring made of 100% silver.
13- Best Cineminuto – a 1-minute Short Film.
Winner will receive the Author's CLOCKAT Ring made of 100% silver.