Submissions are now open for the 2027 edition of the Alternativa Film Festival as the festival takes its first step outside Europe with a lineup that seeks to bring more recognition to filmmakers from the continent and the broader Global South.
Announced at MIP Africa on 29 October, the fourth edition of the festival will accept feature films from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with short films limited to those made by filmmakers hailing from Africa. Entries must be completed after 1 January 2026, and the deadline is set for 1 March 2027. Entry is free.
The festival will distribute a total of US$120,000 across seven award segments, three of which will go solely to African filmmakers. These three awards include the $20,000 Focus Award and two Short Film Awards valued at US$10,000 each. Other African films will also be eligible for these awards. Selected directors will receive airfare and accommodation allowances to participate in the festival and awards, which are expected in late 2027.
Beyond screenings and competition, the programme will include public discussions and Industry Days, bringing together filmmakers, producers, industry professionals and social impact leaders to encourage collaboration and explore the social themes addressed through cinema.
Founded with the support of global mobility company inDrive, Alternativa previously held editions in Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Colombia. Its 2026 Medellín edition attracted 1,831 submissions from 55 countries, 11,000 attendees and more than 60 partners.
The festival's expansion is also built on Alternativa Distribution, a non-profit project launched in 2026 that aims to increase international exposure for films from marginalised countries. This is based on a structure of minimum guarantees for non-theatrical rights, subtitling and dubbing funding, and profit sharing.
Films that are chosen for inclusion in the next year's festival can also be considered from the point of view of distributing them internationally.
