Phenomena Festival

About

Phenomena Festival is a competitive international film festival. Focused in fantasy, sci-fi, horror, thriller and other genre bender experiences. 

Our mission is to find the most surreal, unique and amazing genre films of the globe and bring then into the spotlight to be seen by the largest number of cinema aficcionados possible. For that goal, we are constantly in the hunt of the most uncanny film makers out there.

The greatest genre films for us are the ones that on the surface are excellent fantasy or scary movies, but if you start digging, you get a sense of another layer that speaks about a truth of a kind. Simply put, films we do not forget so fast. Films that we get sucked into and go for a voyage with. Genre films or films with genre elements are one of the few last resorts where one can make both art and entertainment and still have that special layer hidden within, and we really love that.

The event takes place in the megalopolis of São Paulo, Brazil and in the coastal city of Paraty in Rio de Janeiro, with 7 days of screenings, panels and workshops. 

São Paulo is one of the biggest and busiest cities of world and a huge market for indie films. Few genre festival hits reach our screens so there is a great responsibility and honor in bringing the films to our hungry audience.

We promise a rollicking good time and a slate packed with great films. We can't do that without the filmmakers and artists, so submit now! Diversity and originality are not only welcome, but also encouraged. Absolutely no ratings restrictions, ever.

Awards

For Phenomena Festival we are remodeling our trophy and starting a new phase for the event. Created by artist Davi Cananéa, the Night Mask represents all the mysteries of our worlds, both external and internal. The mask is still on paper and should have its physical version in a few months. It will come with a support and satin ribbon for those who want to use it at masquerade balls or enact their favorite private fantasies. It comes with the power to show us our unconscious facets, dark corners of the soul, as well as bring out our most enlightened and powerful potential. It's a unique and magical item made to honor the best filmmakers on the planet. Wait for news...

Best Feature Film - Phenomena Mask Award
Best Short Film - Phenomena Mask Award
Best Short Animation - Phenomena Mask Award 

Other categories will receive our digital certificate. This certificate highlights the significance and value that art represents for the Phenomena Festival, and therefore it is awarded as a quality seal for the uniqueness and mastery of the cinematic arts demonstrated by this work. In our constant search for works that transcend mainstream entertainment, we applaud visions and artists willing to take risks as narratives, films that escape conventional categorization and stories that dwell on the edges between the surreal, the mysterious and the extraordinary. 

Rules

Eligibility Requirements for the feature film and short film competition (jury award): 
- Running time for all feature films must be 70 minutes or more 
- Running time for all shorts must be less than 30 minutes. 
- Selected films must be made available in HD digital file or DCP. 
- All films must be at least a São Paulo premiere and cannot be made available publicly online at any time before the fest. 
- Preview screening format is an online screener ONLY - No DVD screeners. 
- If submitting more than one film, a separate completed entry is required for each title.
- The submitted films must have a portuguese or at least english subtitles.

Premiere Requirements

No premiere requirement

Jury and Organizers

The festival is possible due the curatorship, production and hardworking of a small and independent crew of film professionals in São Paulo, Brazil.

Cauê Castelo - Director

Laysla Brigatto - Producer

Isabela Mello - Producer