Launched in 2021, the Kalamata International Short Documentary Film Festival celebrates all forms of documentary filmmaking, providing a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers.

Driven by Innovation and Audience Participation:
► The festival utilizes a unique two-part selection process:
♦ Monthly Showcases & Jury Selection: A jury of film professionals selects outstanding films throughout the year.
♦ Audience as Curators: Audience votes at monthly screenings determine which films advance to the annual festival, giving film enthusiasts a direct voice in shaping the program.

Embracing Diverse Styles and Perspectives:
► The festival welcomes a wide range of documentary styles:
♦ Experimental & Artistic: Pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.
♦ Classic & Investigative: Showcasing the power of traditional narratives and in-depth explorations.

Exploring Relevant and Timely Themes:
► The festival program explores a diverse range of compelling themes, including:
♦ Environment & Sustainability
♦ Social Justice & Equality
♦ Gender Identity & Representation
♦ History & Cultural Heritage
♦ Politics & Society
♦ Art & Creative Expression

Nurturing Emerging Talent and Engaging Young Voices:
► The festival is committed to supporting new generations of documentary filmmakers:
♦ Spotlight on New Voices: Providing emerging filmmakers with a platform to showcase their work.
♦ Celebrating Student Filmmakers: Showcasing the creativity of student and youth-produced films.
♦ Inspiring Young Audiences: Cultivating a passion for documentaries in young viewers.

Accessibility and Inclusion for All:
► The festival strives to make cinema accessible to everyone:
♦ Free Events: All screenings and events are free of charge.
♦ Online Accessibility: Films and programs are available online.
♦ Subtitles & Audio Description: Ensuring accessibility for a wider audience.

The Kalamata Documentary Film Festival is organized by the Kalamata Creative Documentary Center, with the vital support of volunteers.

Awards & Prizes

MAIN AWARDS
1. Audience award for the best international documentary.
2. Audience award for the best Greek / Cypriot documentary.

SPECIAL AWARDS
(All films that were selected for the annual event are competitors for the special awards.)
1. Best Student International Documentary.
2. Best Student Greek / Cypriot Documentary.
3. Best Director.
4. Best First-time Director.
5. Best Cinematographer.
6. Best Editing.
7. Best Audio design.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Rules & Terms

Please read the following rules and terms carefully before submitting your film. Submissions not adhering to these guidelines will not be considered.

1. Eligibility:
► This festival exclusively showcases documentaries. Submissions depicting fictional events, mockumentaries, or any form of non-factual filmmaking will be disqualified.
► We accept films completed after January 1, 2022.
► Filmmakers must possess all necessary rights to their submitted work.
► Decisions made by festival programmers and jurors are final.

2. Submission Guidelines:
► Submissions are accepted exclusively through FilmFreeway
► Film Categories:
♦ Short Documentary: Films under 30 minutes in length.
♦ Feature Documentary (30 minutes or longer): Submit to the Peloponnisos International Documentary Festival: https://filmfreeway.com/PeloponnisosInternationaldocumentaryFestival
♦ Underage & School Projects: This category is strictly for films made by individuals under 18 years old or up to the secondary education level.
► Student Submissions: Attach a valid Student ID to your FilmFreeway profile to be eligible for student discounts and awards.
► Online Screener: Provide an online screener of your film hosted on platforms such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, MyAirBridge, or FilmFreeway.
► File Format & Resolution: Accepted formats are .mov or .mp4 with a maximum resolution of 4K.
► Subtitles:
♦ All submissions must include English subtitles in .SRT format.
♦ Greek subtitles (.SRT format) are optional at the time of submission but mandatory for finalists.
► Additional Materials: Include the following with your submission:
♦ A4 size portrait poster (PDF format)
♦ Film trailer
♦ Still photos from the film
♦ Director's biography
♦ Director's photo
► Incomplete submissions will be automatically rejected.

3. Subtitle Requirements for Finalists:
► Finalists must provide subtitles in both English and Greek (closed captioning script required).
► If synced subtitles are not available in English, Spanish, French, or German, a translation and syncing fee of €0.34 per line will apply.
► If only English subtitles are provided, a translation fee of €0.18 per line will apply.
► The festival will provide the final Greek SRT files to the director/producer.

4. Selection & Participation:
► Films selected for the festival program may not be withdrawn.
► Participants grant permission to the festival to use all submitted materials (film stills, posters, trailers, director's information) for promotional purposes related to the Kalamata Short Documentary Film Festival and the Peloponnisos International Documentary Festival.
► Selected films will be uploaded to the festival's online platform, accessible to accredited industry professionals, journalists, and broadcasters.
► A selection of films will be available for free online viewing within Greece, limited to 100 views per film.
► Selected films may also be screened at special educational and non-commercial events.

5. Fees & Expenses:
► Submission fees are non-refundable.
► The festival does not cover travel or accommodation expenses for selected filmmakers.
► Special rates at Kalamata hotels are available for festival participants. Information regarding these accommodations will be provided upon selection.

6. Agreement:
By submitting your film to the Kalamata Short Documentary Film Festival, you acknowledge and agree to abide by all the rules and regulations outlined above.
24 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Alessandra Gama

    Great honor and joy to have our film Exotismos selected.
    We thank the curators and everyone who worked hard to make this beautiful festival happen.

    April 2024
    Helpful
  • NewBorn Short Film Agency

    Great to have our film selected!

    April 2024
    Helpful
  • MATTHAIOS FRANTZESKAKIS

    Special festival for alla of us

    April 2023
    Helpful
  • Mattia Mura

    No way to communicate with them, despite the selection. I have no idea what happened: if they screened the movie or not, if there were some issues that could have been solved... I tried to send them an email, but they never replied so what happened there is still a mystery to me.

    April 2023
    Helpful
  • Alexia Tsouni

    A really wonderful festival with enthusiastic festival team and very interesting selections! Thank you so much for your kind hospitality and perfect communication. We are so happy to have participated with our film “HANTUSH – a fairytale”!

    January 2023
    Helpful