Prize fund raised to USD120,000, submission deadline set for 10 October 2025
The Alternativa Film Project has officially announced that the third edition of the Alternativa Film Festival will be held in Colombia in Q2 2026. Following successful runs in Kazakhstan (2023) and Indonesia (2024), this global showcase of cinema from the Global South is now open for submissions from Asian filmmakers — with an increased prize pool of USD120,000 (approximately RM510,000).
Continuing its mission to amplify underrepresented voices and impactful stories from the Global South, Alternativa welcomes feature-length fiction, documentaries, animation, and hybrid works from both Latin America and Asia. Short films, however, remain exclusive to creators from Latin America.
Submission Timeline & Eligibility
The open call runs from 10 June to 10 October 2025, with deadlines based on each film’s premiere date:
- For films with a world premiere before 1 August 2025:
Submit by 1 September 2025, 23:59 (UTC -5) - For films premiering after 1 August 2025:
Submit by 10 October 2025, 23:59 (UTC -5)
To be eligible, films must be completed after 1 January 2025. All genres are welcome.
📄 For complete guidelines and country eligibility, visit: https://alternativa.film
New Award Category and Expanded Programming
The 2026 edition introduces a new award dedicated to a standout feature film from the festival’s focus region, raising the total number of award categories to seven.
Beyond the awards, the festival will feature free public screenings, impact-driven panel discussions, and industry networking events. A dedicated Industry Days programme will bring together filmmakers, producers, and social change leaders to spark collaboration and dialogue.
Shortlisted directors will be invited to attend the festival, with travel and accommodation fully covered by the organisers.
inDrive’s Vision: Art Without Borders
Arsen Tomsky, CEO and founder of inDrive — the primary backer of the Alternativa Film Project — emphasized the role of storytelling in social progress:
“At inDrive, we believe that talent and powerful stories should never be limited by borders. Art has the power to drive change and challenge injustice. That’s why we founded and support Alternativa — to give impact filmmakers from the Global South a platform to be seen, heard, and celebrated.”
Malaysian Filmmakers Among Top Submitters
In 2024, Malaysia ranked among the top three countries in Asia for submissions. The Alternativa Film Festival received over 1,000 entries from 33 countries, with 14 Asian nations represented in the final 25 shortlisted films — a testament to the region’s growing creative influence.
Details regarding the host city, exact festival dates, Selection Committee, and International Jury will be announced in the coming months.
🎥 Submissions now open until 10 October 2025.
Start your application and read the full Rules & Regulations at: https://alternativa.film