Submissions are now open for the 2026 edition of the São Paulo Film Festival, one of the most respected film festivals in Brazil, recognized for its strong curatorial vision and commitment to independent and diverse cinema.
What truly defines the São Paulo Film Festival is its approach to curation. The festival is programmed by filmmakers and cinema professionals who carefully watch every submitted film. Selections are made through close viewing, discussion, and genuine engagement with each work. Films are not prioritized based on reputation, industry visibility, or established names. They are chosen because they stand out artistically, emotionally, or narratively.
The festival strongly believes in creating space for both established filmmakers and new voices. Emerging directors and student filmmakers are welcomed and valued as an essential part of the program. Discovering new talents and original perspectives is a central mission of the São Paulo Film Festival, and many selected films each year come from filmmakers at the beginning of their creative journeys.
Genre diversity is a fundamental pillar of the festival’s identity. The São Paulo Film Festival does not focus solely on drama. Its program embraces a wide range of genres, including comedy, science fiction, horror, animation, documentaries, and student films. Works that explore unconventional narratives, hybrid formats, or bold creative approaches are especially encouraged. What matters most is authorship, vision, and cinematic honesty.
The official program of the festival will take place in December. Selected films will be screened in theaters at Cine Belas Artes, one of São Paulo’s most iconic and historic movie venues. In addition, films will also be available online through the festival’s official platform, allowing audiences from Brazil and abroad to engage with the selected works.
The São Paulo Film Festival is committed to offering filmmakers more than a selection. It offers a real cinematic experience, meaningful audience engagement, and a curatorial context that values diversity, originality, and artistic integrity. The festival continues to grow as a meeting point for filmmakers who believe in cinema as a space for expression, dialogue, and discovery.
Submissions for the 2026 edition are open to short films from Brazil and around the world. Independent productions, international works, and student films are all welcome.
Submit your film
Submissions for the 2026 edition of the São Paulo Film Festival are now open.
Filmmakers can submit their short films via FilmFreeway.
Submit your film:
https://filmfreeway.com/SaoPauloFilmFestival
