Short Film Competition | 18th-26th Jan 2025
The call for entries for the JIIFF 2025 Short Film Competition is now open. This competitive section of the José Ignacio International Film Festival is organized in partnership with the Fundación Diciembre and aims to discover new talents in Uruguayan cinema.
The call is directed at those who are beginning to forge their own path in filmmaking and production. Uruguayan productions and co-productions completed in 2024, which have not yet premiered in the country and do not exceed 20 minutes in length, are eligible to apply.
The official prize for the Short Film Competition is a trip to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Submission deadline: November 15, 2024, by 6:00 PM.
1 WHO IT IS FOR
1.1 The call is exclusively for Uruguayan productions and co-productions that have not yet been released and/or screened in Uruguay.
2 ELIGIBILITY
2.1 The submitted short films must be completed in 2024.
2.2 Maximum duration of 20 minutes, including credits.
2.3 The short films cannot be or have been available on free online platforms, whether national or international (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.).
2.4 The works can be of any genre (documentary, fiction, experimental, essay, animation, others). Advertising and institutional short films are excluded.
2.5 Los cortometrajes pueden haber sido estrenados en otro país en el transcurso de 2024.
2.6 Las obras podrán ser de género libre (documental, ficción, experimental, ensayo, animación, otros). Quedan excluidos los cortometrajes publicitarios e institucionales.
3 APPLICATION
Complete the form with the following information: :
- Brief biography of the director, including country of residence, contact phone number, and date of birth.
- Brief biography of the producer, including country of residence, contact phone number, and date of birth.
- Phone number of the person filling in the application..
- Photo of the director.
- Photo of the producer.
- Title of the short film.
- Three stills in high resolution.
- Genre.
- Synopsis in Spanish and English with fewer than 300 characters.
- Duration.
- Whether it has participated in international festivals.
- Whether it is a co-production.
- Viewing link and access password.
You will have until November 15th, 2024, at 6:00 PM to register.
4 SELECTION
4.1 A committee appointed by the José Ignacio International Film Festival team will select a maximum of seven (7) short films to participate in the competition.
4.2 The selected works will be announced in mid-December 2024 and will be screened at the fifteenth edition of the José Ignacio International Film Festival in January 2025, for which the screening rights are granted.
4.3 All content used in the film must be original or licensed, with the necessary PERMISSIONS in place.
5 ABOUT THE SELECTED WORKS
5.1 Selected filmmakers must submit: a download link of the final short film cut with English subtitles (mp4 or mov, H264 codec with a minimum resolution of 1080p); a 10-second trailer; and the short film poster.
5.2 Language and Subtitles: If the short film is in Spanish, it must have English subtitles. If the short film is in English, it must have Spanish subtitles. If the short film is in another language, it must have both English and Spanish subtitles.
5.3 Promotion: The selected works may be shared with the public on digital platforms by JIIFF. Participants authorize the use of their image in promotional videos that may be created by the organizers to promote the Competition and its related activities.
5.4 The festival organizers reserve the right to determine the date and order of EXHIBITION of the works during the 15th edition of JIIFF.
5.5 Selected filmmakers must use the JIIFF 2025 laurel on the poster and all materials related to the festival.
6 ABOUT THE AWARD
The short films selected in the 15th edition of JIIFF will compete for the Diciembre Award, which consists of a trip to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
PAttending the Cannes Film Festival is an immensely significant opportunity. Cannes is globally recognized for its prestige and attracts industry professionals, critics, and media from around the world. The festival provides a platform for exposure and recognition, thereby enhancing your standing as a filmmaker. Additionally, it offers valuable opportunities to network with influential individuals who can support your future projects. Attending Cannes also allows you to gain a closer understanding of the industry's workings, learn from experts, and find inspiration in the best of the cinematic world.
6.1 Diciembre Award: The award will be granted to the Best Short Film by the Fundación Diciembre, based on the selection of a jury specially chosen by JIIFF. The award consists of USD 2,500 (two thousand five hundred US dollars) and must be used to cover travel and accommodation expenses.*
The awarded filmmaker will receive an accreditation for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, with the possibility of accessing the festival's scheduled films and industry activities.
*The award can only be used for travel expenses to the Cannes Film Festival: airfare, accommodation, and per diem. The filmmaker will be responsible for booking their own transportation and lodging and will need to provide expense documentation to the JIIFF’s team.
6.2 El Jury: will be responsible for selecting the Best Film of the Short Film Competition and, if they deem it appropriate, they may designate a Special Mention. Their decision will be announced at the closing ceremony of the 15th edition of the José Ignacio International Film Festival and will be final. The Jury members may also resolve any issues not covered by these guidelines.
6.3 Audience Award: All selected works will also compete for the Audience Award, which is given to the film that receives the most votes from the audience at JIIFF 2025.
Submitting a film implies the acceptance of these rules.
For more information or inquire, email us to:
m.marco@joseignaciofilmfestival.com
