Even better, in the hall of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC), adjacent to the Chaplin Cinema, one can enter and see the immense room covered on three walls and the entire ceiling with some of the most emblematic posters, such as those for the multi-award-winning and Oscar-nominated film, Fresa y Chocolate (Dirs. Juan Carlos Tabío, Tomás Gutiérrez Alea), or Lucia (Dir. Humberto Solás), one of the masterpieces of Cuban cinema.

It was Alfredo Guevara—the legendary cultural promoter and founder of the Cuban Film Institute—who championed the promotional graphics of Cuban cinema, initially created by artists such as Alfredo Rostgaard, Eduardo Muñoz Bachs, and Rafael Morante in the 1950s. The posters contributed excellent designs using an entirely artisanal technique: screen printing, with which they achieved a great richness in textures.

In Cuba, film posters experienced a boom in the 1960s—the golden age of Cuban cinema—and revolutionized the visual arts. 

In 2023, UNESCO inscribed the Cuban Cinema Poster Collection, housed at the Cuban Film Institute, into the Memory of the World Register. This includes 2,230 pieces intended for the promotion of both Cuban and foreign films and film-related activities as well as 150 sketches from designers to indicate to the technicians the image to be reproduced.

This photo shows the interior of the ICAIC.

The Cuban Cinema Poster is a visual and cinematic record of a country that has contributed significantly to Latin American cinema. It draws inspiration from American pop art and op art, and was featured at VLAFF in 2017. To celebrate the festival’s 15th edition, a Quinceañera designed in this style by Havana artist Fabian Muñoz was used as the festival’s image.

The Vancouver Latin American Film Festival invites submissions of recent short films by emerging creators from:

• Latin American and Canadian film schools
• Films created outside of schools or institutions

We are looking for bold, urgent, personal, and formally adventurous short films made within the last three years(2023–2026). Short films must be by Latine directors, or films collaboratively and ethically engaging Latine communities.

Curated and presented by the 2026 cohort of VLAFF’s Emerging Latin Programmers, this screening will give student and emerging filmmakers a platform to share their work within Vancouver’s vibrant Latin American film and cultural community.

The selected works will be exhibited at The Cinematheque on June 23, 2026 as part of a special public event. Each selected filmmaker will receive a screening fee of $175CAD.

Who Should Apply

Latine student & emerging filmmakers or filmmakers working in collaboration with Latine communities

Submissions by Latine filmmakers can be on any subject.

Non-Latine filmmakers are also welcome to apply; however, their work must engage with Latin content and be created in ethical collaboration with Latine communities.

Submission Guidelines:

• Fiction, documentary, experimental, animation, hybrid
• Max runtime: 21 min
• Films completed between 2023–2026
• Selected films will require English subtitles 

No submission fee
Deadline: March 23, 2026
Submit here

Not sure if your project is eligible for this call? Email emergingprogrammers@vlaff.org

What We Mean by “Student” and “Emerging”

Student: Currently enrolled in a film/media program or graduated within the past 3 years.

Emerging: A filmmaker in the early stages of their short film practice who is actively developing their voice. This may include self-taught creators or those working outside institutions, and generally refers to artists who are not yet widely established, commercially represented, or consistently funded. We understand “emerging” as a relational and evolving category rather than a fixed career stage.

El Festival de Cine Latinoamericano de Vancouver abre convocatoria para cortometrajes recientes de cineastas de:

• Escuelas de cine latinoamericanas y canadienses.
• Cortos creados fuera de escuelas o instituciones por creadores emergentes.

Buscamos cortometrajes audaces, urgentes, personales, con un enfoque formalmente innovador, realizados en los últimos tres años (2023-2026). Los cortometrajes deben ser de directores latines, o por creadores emergentes que se comprometan éticamente con las comunidades latinas.

Curada y presentada por les Programadores Latines Emergentes del VLAFF 2026, esta proyección brindará a estudiantes y cineastas emergentes una plataforma para compartir su trabajo dentro de la vibrante comunidad cinematográfica y cultural latina de Vancouver.

Las obras seleccionadas se exhibirán en The Cinematheque el junio 23 de 2026 como parte de un evento público especial. Cada cineasta seleccionade recibirá una tarifa de proyección de 175 dólares canadienses.

¿Quiénes pueden participar?

Estudiantes latines y cineastas emergentes latines o cineastas que trabajen en colaboración con comunidades latinas.

Las propuestas de realizadores latines pueden ser sobre cualquier tema.

Lxs cineastas no latines también pueden postularse; sin embargo, su trabajo debe involucrar contenido latino y ser creado en colaboración ética con comunidades latinas.

Bases de inscripción:

• Ficción, documental, experimental, animación, híbrido
• Duración máxima: 21 min
• Corto realizados entre 2023 y 2026
• Los cortometrajes seleccionados deberán tener subtítulos en inglés.

No hay cuota de inscripción
Fecha límite: 23 de marzo de 2026
Postula aquí

¿No estás segurx de si tu proyecto encaja en esta convocatoria? Envía un correo a emergingprogrammers@vlaff.org

Qué entendemos por “Estudiante” y “Emergente”

Estudiante: Personas actualmente inscritas en un programa de cine o medios audiovisuales, o graduadxs en los últimos 3 años.

Emergente: Cineastas en las primeras etapas de su práctica en cortometraje, que estén desarrollando activamente su voz. Puede incluir creadorxs autodidactas o que trabajen fuera de instituciones, y generalmente se refiere a artistas que aún no están ampliamente consolidadxs, representadxs comercialmente o con financiamiento sostenido. Entendemos “emergente” como una categoría relacional y en evolución, más que como una etapa fija de carrera.

O Festival de Cinema Latino-Americano de Vancouver (VLAFF) convida ao envio de curtas-metragens recentes de cineastas:

• De escolas de cinema latino-americanas e canadenses.
• Filmes criados fora de escolas ou instituições por criadorxs emergentes.

Buscamos curtas-metragens audaciosos, urgentes, pessoais e formalmente ousados, realizados nos últimos três anos (2023–2026). Os curtas devem ser realizados por criadorxs latinxs ou por criadorxs emergentes que se comprometam eticamente com comunidades latinas.

Esta sessão será curada e apresentada pelo grupo de 2026 dxs Programadorxs Latinxs Emergentes do VLAFF, que oferece a estudantes e cineastas emergentes uma plataforma para compartilhar seu trabalho dentro da vibrante comunidade cinematográfica e cultural latino-americana de Vancouver.

As obras selecionadas serão exibidas na The Cinematheque no dia 23 de junho de 2026, como parte de um evento público especial. Cada cineasta selecionadx receberá uma taxa de exibição de 175 dólares canadenses.

Quem pode se inscrever?

Estudantes latinxs e cineastas emergentes latinxs ou cineastas que trabalhem em colaboração com comunidades latinas.

Os trabalhos enviados por cineastas latines podem abordar qualquer tema.

Cineastas não latines também podem se inscrever; no entanto, seus trabalhos devem abordar conteúdo latino e ser criados em colaboração ética com comunidades latinas.

Diretrizes para envio:

• Gêneros: ficção, documentário, experimental, animação, híbrido.
• Duração máxima: 21 minutos.
• Filmes concluídos entre 2023 e 2026.
• Os filmes selecionados deverão ter legendas em inglês.

Sem taxa de inscrição
Prazo final: 23 de março de 2026
Envie aquí

Você não ter certeza se seu projeto se enquadra nesta convocatória? envie um e-mail para emergingprogrammers@vlaff.org

O que entendemos por “Estudante” e “Emergente”

Estudante: Pessoas atualmente matriculadas em um curso de cinema/audiovisual ou formadxs nos últimos 3 anos.

Emergente: Cineastas nas primeiras etapas de sua prática em curta-metragem, que estejam desenvolvendo ativamente sua voz. Inclui realizadorxs autodidatas ou que atuem fora de instituições, e geralmente se refere a artistas que ainda não estão amplamente estabelecidxs, representadxs comercialmente ou com financiamento contínuo. Entendemos “emergente” como uma categoria relacional e em constante evolução, e não como uma etapa fixa de carreira.

ONE WAY OR ANOTHER (De Cierta Manera, 1974)

Sara Gómez died very young, but in her short life she created a powerful body of documentary work in the 1960s including titles such as ON OVERTIME (Sobre horas extras), VOLUNTARY WORK (Trabajo voluntario),and THE OTHER ISLAND (En la otra isla). Her films examined the social transformations following the 1959 Cuban Revolution, exploring its influence on people’s day-to-day lives, and revealing complex realities. She used the camera as a tool for transformation and to fight against oppression in all forms.

ONE WAY OR ANOTHER is a docu-fiction feature film that follows middle-class teacher Yolanda, who is assigned to work in a newly constructed housing development built on the site of a demolished slum, in order to transform reality and mentality. Yolanda falls in love with factory worker Mario but their relationship is challenged by their different views, values and prejudices.

“Habrá que hacer un cine sin concesiones, que toque la raíz de los intereses de todos, un cine capaz de expresarlos en sus contradicciones y que tenga como objetivo ayudar a hacer a todos nosotros, hombre y mujeres capaces de plantearse la vida como eterno conflicto con el medio en el que solo podemos vencer. Ese debe ser el propósito. ¿Será demasiado ambicioso? ¿Podemos lograrlo?”

“We must make uncompromising cinema, one that touches the root of everyone’s interests, a cinema capable of expressing them in their contradictions, and whose objective is to help all of us, men and women, to see life as an eternal conflict with the environment in which we can only prevail. That must be the purpose. Is it too ambitious? Can we achieve it?”

Sara Gómez

In 2023, VLAFF presented a showcase of Sara Gómez’s films at The Cinematheque. The screenings were introduced by Canadian Dr. Susan Lord (Queen’s University), who has taken a special interest in Gómez’s work and wrote the book The Cinema of Sara Gómez: Reframing Revolution. Lord describes Gómez as “a very brave woman, very ahead of her time in terms of the possibilities of changing the relationships between different social groups.”

The Vancouver Latin American Film Festival (VLAFF) is now accepting submissions for its 24th edition, taking place September 10–20, 2026 in Vancouver, Canada.

VLAFF showcases bold, diverse, and innovative cinema from Latin America and its diasporas, celebrating stories of identity, resistance, joy, culture, music, food, and community.

Final submission deadline: March 31, 2026
Early Bird deadline: February 15, 2026

All submissions must be made via FilmFreeway:
filmfreeway.com/vlaff

In Competition

New Directors Competition — First Features (Ópera Prima)

One of VLAFF’s most exciting sections, the New Directors Competition highlights first-time feature filmmakers whose debut works signal powerful new voices in Latin American cinema.

We welcome films that take creative risks, explore new cinematic languages, and bring urgent or intimate perspectives to the screen.

Eligibility

• First feature-length films (ópera prima)
• Latin American directors or films with Latin American content
• Fiction, animation, documentary, arthouse, hybrid
• 60 minutes and longer
• Production years: 2025–2026

Youth Choice Award for Best New Director
Each selected film receives a $300 CAD honorarium.

Short Film Competition

The Shorts in Competition section is the oldest competition at VLAFF and continues to be a launchpad for emerging and established filmmakers alike.

Each year, 15 finalist short films screen at the festival and compete for our Best Short Film Award.

Eligibility

• Fiction, animation, experimental, documentary, hybrid
• Maximum running time: 21 minutes
• Latin American content
• Production years: 2025–2026

Best Short Film Award
$750 CAD cash prize to the director.

Out of Competition

Feature Films

This section showcases outstanding feature-length films that expand cinematic conversations and resonate strongly with VLAFF audiences outside of the competitive framework.

Eligibility

• Feature-length films
• Latin American directors and/or Latin American content
• Fiction, animation, documentary, hybrid
• 60 minutes and longer
• Production years: 2025–2026

Indigenous Filmmakers from Latin America & Canada

Films from Turtle Island & Beyond

This section centers Indigenous filmmakers and collectives from across Turtle Island and throughout Latin America, highlighting stories rooted in sovereignty, land, memory, and community.

Eligibility

• Feature-length and short films
• Indigenous directors and filmmaking collectives
• Fiction, animation, experimental, documentary, hybrid
• Production years: 2025–2026

Canada Looks South — Latinx Canadian Filmmakers

Canada Looks South amplifies Latin-Canadian voices and Canadian filmmakers engaging with Latin American stories, cultures, and histories.

Latin American directors living in Vancouver are especially encouraged to submit.

Eligibility

• Feature-length and short films
• Latin-Canadian directors (permanent residents or citizens)
• Canadian directors with Latin American content
• Fiction, animation, documentary, hybrid
• Production years: 2023–2025

Thematic Sections

¡Así Sabe! — Food Films (Culinary Cinema)

A celebration of food as culture, memory, resistance, and joy. ¡Así Sabe! invites films that explore culinary traditions, kitchens, markets, and foodways across Latin America.

Eligibility

• Feature-length films
• Focus on food and culinary culture
• Fiction, animation, documentary, arthouse, hybrid
• Production years: 2025–2026

¡Así Suena! — Music Films

Now in its third year, ¡Así Suena! celebrates music on the big screen — from performance and rhythm to sound as identity and movement.

Eligibility

• Feature-length films
• Focus on music and sound
• Fiction, animation, documentary, arthouse, hybrid
• Production years: 2025–2026

¡Activismo! — Cinema of Social & Environmental Justice

This section features films that address historical struggles, social movements, political ideas, and environmental justice across Latin America.

Eligibility

• Feature-length films
• 60 minutes and longer
• Production years: 2025–2026

Queer Pix — Non-Competitive

A celebratory space for Queer short films that center Latin American perspectives, joy, desire, experimentation, and resistance.

Eligibility

• Short films by Queer directors
• Fiction, animation, experimental, documentary, hybrid
• Maximum running time: 21 minutes
• Production years: 2024–2026

Fee Waivers

A limited number of submission fee waivers are available for filmmakers for whom the fee represents a genuine barrier to participation.

Priority is given to filmmakers based in Venezuela, Argentina, and Cuba, as well as other contexts where submission fees pose economic challenges.

To request a waiver, contact programming@vlaff.org with a brief introduction to your project.

Share the Call

We invite you to share this call with your communities. We are seeking new voices, Afro-descendant and Indigenous filmmakers, experimental works, music and food films, Latinx Canadian perspectives, and stories of joy, resilience, and transformation.

THANK YOU! OBRIGADX! GRACIAS!

This intimate experimental documentary invites us to experience the director’s writing about his conflicted feelings about the public places in Havana where the gay community meets secretly.

Javi shows up for the last time at a queer club where he works as an erotic dancer, but he must deal with Castillo, a regular customer who resists the fact that he will never see him again.

Content Forecast: Violence, sexual assault

”Had Kafka been Cuban, he would have been a non-fiction writer.” Virgilio Piñeiro

In Cuba, artistic legitimacy and subsistence require official recognition by a state-sponsored art institution. Working independently means having scant income and limited rights, and, as filmmaker Miguel Coyula and actor Lynn Cruz learned while making their dystopian feature Corazón azul in 2011, being subjected to various forms of control and intimidation. Meanwhile, outside of Cuba, anti-regime critics prove similarly dogmatic and silencing. A defiant and entertaining work that strains against extreme limitations, Chronicles of the Absurd playfully uses headshots and avatars to visualize audio recordings (often recorded clandestinely) and verbatim text documenting years of Kafkaesque impositions, threats, and vital dissident art.

Winner. Best Film. Envision Competition. IDFA -Amsterdam Documentary FF- 2024
Winner. Special Jury Award. Avant-garde and Genre Competition. BAFICI -Buenos Aires FF- 2025


 

Dir. Pedro Ruiz, Canada/Cuba, 2024, Spanish & French with English subtitles, 91 min

Director Pedro Ruiz in attendance!

The Eighth Floor is a fascinating hybrid cinematographic work mixing autobiography and fiction, about one of the most singular characters of the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ): Jacques Lanctôt. The FLQ Crisis of October 1970 marked a period of intense political and social upheaval in Quebec, but the details of Lanctôt and the other members exile in Cuba are not widely known. A loose adaptation of Lanctôt’s memoir Les plages de l’exil (2010), the film chronicles Lanctôt’s return to his eighth-floor room in the Hotel Nacional in Havana. Interviews, re-enactments, archival footage, and stories of key intellectual figures of the time, such as Argentine writer Julio Cortázar, Uruguayan essayist Eduardo Galeano, and Chilean filmmaker Miguel Littin, provide a provocative glimpse into the revolutionary thoughts of the period.

ISLA FAMILIA follows independent journalist Abraham Jiménez Eno during the last 4 years of his life, beginning with the arrival of the Covid pandemic in Cuba through his political exile in Spain. An intimate and epic journey into the experience of resilience and displacement through the eyes of a couple, filming their daily life with a cell phone and a big heart.

“A heartfelt, intimate look at daily life in Cuba and the measures taken by one family to protect their freedom” Ruth Somalo. DOC NYC Film Festival

World Premiere. Official Selection. DOCNYC. 2024