Vórtice - Festival de Cine (1)

Festival start: 07 November 2025      Festival end: 17 November 2025

VÓRTICE - FILM FESTIVAL 2025
GUIDELINES

Vórtice - Film Festival is a cinematic gathering that has taken place in Bogotá and Barrancabermeja since 2023. After two showcases held since that year, the festival will officially host its first full edition in both cities in 2025.

This project is guided by a curatorial vision focused on showcasing cinema from the Global South—without limitations on genre, but with a particular interest in documentary film, archival cinema, experimental film, and docufiction. These forms (and explorations), we believe, are where the most relevant debates and discussions of contemporary cinema are taking place. Our interest is primarily centered on discovering new paths and cinematic inquiries. Our principle is anthropophagic and cannibalistic: to consume, digest, exhibit, reflect on, and engage in dialogue around the cinema that emerges from our territories.

The festival will hold its first official edition from November 7 to 17, in Bogotá, at the Cinemateca de Bogotá and other alternative venues in the capital; and in Barrancabermeja, through the city’s network of independent cinemas.

We invite filmmakers, audiovisual creators, and music video directors from Colombia, Santander, Barrancabermeja, and the Global South to submit their short films and music videos to our 2025 edition.

1_ VÓRTICE - Film Festival is a non-competitive event that showcases a selection of national and international films connected to the cinemas of the Global South. Our approach is anthropophagic and cannibalistic: to consume, digest, exhibit, think about, and discuss the cinema that emerges from our territories.

2_ The first official edition of VÓRTICE will take place simultaneously in the cities of Bogotá and Barrancabermeja from November 7 to 17, 2025.

3_ We accept short films and music videos on any theme, as long as they fall within the cinematic explorations of the Global South. We are interested in documentary film, archival cinema, experimental film, docu-fiction, and hybrid forms that exist on the boundaries of narrative and experimental cinema. However, we also welcome traditional genres if they explore compelling aesthetic directions.

4_ To be considered for the official selection, the film or music video must be submitted by the copyright holder.

5_ We accept short films between 3 and 30 minutes in length, made between 2024 and 2025. Music videos must have been produced from 2023 onwards. For the "Regional Stories" category, works created from 2022 onwards will be accepted.

6_ The international call is open to filmmakers from Latin America, Asia, and Africa, as well as to creators from other parts of the world whose work resonates with our curatorial vision.

7_ CALL FOR ENTRIES CATEGORIES

Short films:

● Contemporary Instincts – Colombia: Open call for national short films up to 30 minutes long. No submission fee.

● Regional Stories – Santander/Barrancabermeja: Open call for short films made in or about the department of Santander, especially those focusing on Barrancabermeja, with a maximum length of 30 minutes. No submission fee.

● Contemporary Instincts – Global South: Open call for short films from Latin America, Asia, and Africa up to 30 minutes. No submission fee.

● Contemporary Instincts – Europe: European short films are accepted with a $10/€10 submission fee.

● Contemporary Instincts – North America (USA & Canada): North American short films are accepted with a $10/€10 submission fee.

Music Videos:

● Videoclipz – Colombia: Open call for national music videos made since 2023. No submission fee.

● Regional Videoclipz – Santander/Barrancabermeja: Open call for regional music videos made since 2023. No submission fee.

● Contemporary Videoclipz – Global South (Latin America, Asia, and Africa): No submission fee.

● Contemporary Videoclipz – Europe: European music videos accepted with a $10/€10 submission fee.

● Contemporary Videoclipz – North America (USA & Canada): North American music videos accepted with a $10/€10 submission fee.

8_ Submissions for VÓRTICE will be available via Festhome.

9_ The submission period runs from April 9 to June 9, 2025. The official selection will be announced in the second week of August 2025.

10_ By submitting a film or music video, participants authorize its in-person screening, with no limit on the number of showings during the festival.

11_ Works will be screened in their original Spanish-language version (or with Spanish subtitles) at the Cinemateca de Bogotá and at screening venues in Barrancabermeja. Works in other languages must include a version subtitled in Spanish or english.

12_ Accepted screening formats: digital file (H264, mp4) and DCP (only in exceptional cases).

13_ VÓRTICE may use stills or excerpts of up to two minutes from selected films and music videos in any of its printed, digital, or audiovisual publications.

14_ The festival organizers are not responsible for the content of submitted works. Participants declare that they own or hold the rights to all visual and audio materials used.

15_ Submission to VÓRTICE - Film Festival 2025 implies acceptance of the terms outlined in these guidelines.

16_ Once a film or music video has been accepted for a section of the festival, it may not be withdrawn from the program.

17_ The VÓRTICE team reserves the right to modify dates, format, or other elements of the festival should circumstances require it.

Contact:
For questions or comments, please write to: vorticecine@gmail.com