Deadline Extended for First Cuban Film Showcase and Competition

The First Cuban Film Showcase and Competition will now continue from today through the entire month of January 2026, a deadline extended by the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC) at the request of filmmakers.

The Titón Awards ceremony will take place at the end of that month, as part of an event dedicated to the centenary of Cuban filmmaker Alfredo Guevara. The initiative aims to stimulate technical specialties and expand screening spaces for national cinema.

In its original call, the admission deadline for the competition was December 10, and the showcase was scheduled to run through the 29th of this month.

“I believe it is healthy news that we give our audiences the opportunity to see what the country’s independent filmmakers have produced, and not rush that process just to meet a date,” commented ICAIC President Alexis Triana.

At a previous press conference, the executive explained that productions or premieres completed between January 2024 and October 2025 are eligible, with no runtime limit, in the categories of Documentary, Animation, and Fiction.

“So far, more than 74 audiovisual works across different genres have been registered, and submissions are still being received,” stated the president of the cultural institution, noting this as one of the reasons for extending the deadline.

Additionally, another factor was the difficulty faced by filmmakers from other provinces in submitting their productions due to the energy and health circumstances currently affecting the country.

“We want the films that are entered to be seen across Cuba; we want audiences to be able to view them. This first showcase intends to expand, to ensure there is screen time for these works,” Triana emphasized.