The Balsas International Film Festival (FICBalsas) invites Mexican and international filmmakers, directors, and producers to submit their films (feature and short) to the 4º FICBalsas, which will take place in the City and Port of Lázaro Cárdenas, the Coast and Tierra Caliente of Michoacán, as well as neighboring communities in Guerrero, Mexico.
The 4th FICBalsas will take place from November 10–14, 2026.
In addition to the festival, we will celebrate two touring cinema programs across rural communities and the Michoacán Coast:
• Children’s Film Tour FICBalsas — November 5, 6 and 7, 2026
• Coastal Film Tour FICBalsas — November 17–22, 2026
*Official program and venues will be announced in September/October.
**Applicants are encouraged to read the full call for entries.
The Talento Costa Michoacan section is open exclusively to residents and films made within the Michoacán Coast region (only in Spanish).
— CALL FOR ENTRIES —
4º FICBalsas 2026
FICBalsas‘goal is to decentralize the access to film education and film exhibition, while artistically and creatively connecting Tierra Caliente, the Michoacán Coast, and neighboring municipalities of Guerrero with Mexico and the world through a port, a river, and a sea of perspectives.
COMPETITION
The 4th edition of FICBalsas will hold its official program from November 10–14, 2026.
Films in competition and out of competition may include fiction, documentary, animation, experimental and hybrid works.
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Gran Mirada / Great Gaze (More Encounters, Less Competition)
A selection for Mexican and international feature films in fiction, documentary, experimental, or hybrid formats, including films for children.
Films longer than 60 minutes, produced in 2024, 2025 or 2026, will be considered.
They may be either unreleased or previously shown at a festival, but should not be available on any online platform.
Subtitles in Spanish.
Up to 5 feature films will be selected.
The selected feature films will be out of competition, aiming to create a direct dialogue with audiences; therefore, the presence of filmmakers and creators will be an important consideration during the selection process.
FICBalsas is committed to providing accommodation and meals for invited filmmakers during their stay throughout the festival days.
Miradas en Corto (Short Lens)
Competition for National and International Short Films. This category includes fiction, documentary, experimental, or hybrid short films that have participated in international festivals, directed by experienced filmmakers.
Films between 1 and 20 minutes in length, produced in 2024, 2025 or 2026, will be considered.
They can be either unreleased or have premiered at a festival, but should not be available on any online platform.
Subtitles in Spanish.
Up to 12 short films will be selected.
Miradas Emergentes (New Lens)
Competition for local, national, and international short films, including fiction, documentary, experimental, or hybrid films, with little to no presence in global festivals. It is aimed at emerging directors seeking a platform to showcase their early work.
Films between 1 and 20 minutes in length, produced in 2024, 2025 or 2026, will be considered.
They can be either unreleased or have premiered at a festival, but should not be available on any online platform.
Subtitles in Spanish.
Up to 10 short films will be selected.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
Mirada infantil (Lens for Kids)
Competition for local, national, and international short films with themes aimed at children.
Films between 1 and 20 minutes in length, produced in 2024, 2025 or 2026, will be considered.
They can be either unreleased or have premiered at a festival, but should not be available on any online platform.
Be spoken exclusively in Spanish or contain no dialogue
Foreign-language films may participate only if they contain no dialogue requiring subtitles.
Not be available on any online streaming platform.
A maximum of 10 short films will be selected.
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SUBMISSIONS
The application to submit local, national, or international feature films or short films is done through a form according to the category being applied for.
Film submissions to the 4ºFICBalsas are completely free of charge.
The call for entries opens on May 19, 2026.
The deadline for submissions is September 19, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Mexico time).
To fill out the form, you will need to have the following ready:
1. Film title
2. Director’s name, contact information, and a photograph (JPG)
3. Technical sheet: Film title, duration, country/place of production, festivals (PDF)
4. Private link with download access to an H264 digital file (e.g., DRIVE), stereo sound. Dialogues in Spanish and/or with Spanish subtitles.
5. Poster and 1 still from the short film (JPG)
SUBMISSION FORMS
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OFFICIAL SELECTION
The Official Selection of the 4th FICBalsas will be announced on the FICBalsas website and social media platforms between September and October.
Filmmakers and producers of selected feature films and short films will be notified via email.
AWARDS
The Award Ceremony will take place during the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, November 14th 2026.
Only one winning film will be awarded in each competition category, and each winner will receive a festival statuette.
If additional cash or in-kind prizes are confirmed, they will be announced in advance.
LINEAMIENTOS
1. The 3rd FICBalsas will take place in Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, with venues across the Michoacán Coast, Tierra Caliente, and neighboring municipalities in Guerrero, Mexico from November 10–14, 2026.
2. The selection of feature and short films to participate in the 4º FICBalsas is final and cannot be appealed.
3. All selected films will have multiple in-person screenings in Lázaro Cárdenas, as well as nearby rural communities.
4. FICBalsas does not hold virtual screenings.
5. Selected works may continue their exhibition journey through the FICBalsas Children’s Film Tour and Coastal Film Tour, as well as through the “Piezas de una Mirada” talks and conversations organized by Foro Piezas.
6. Any changes or adjustments will be communicated to the filmmakers in advance.
UPDATES TO THE CALL FOR ENTRIES, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS
Website: https://www.ficbalsas.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FICBalsas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FICBalsas
Further information:
ficbalsas@gmail.com
FICBalsas 