The Lanzarote Film Festival 2026 has officially closed its registration for the 16th edition with an impressive 247 entries. This includes 215 international feature films and 32 short films from Canary Islands’ directors. The festival is set to run from 19 to 29 November 2026 and highlights the growing global significance of this audiovisual event.
Organised by Tenique Cultural, this year has seen a more stringent application process to ensure that films align closely with the festival’s distinct programming approach. Following the close of submissions, the programming team will now embark on a thorough selection process to curate the two main competitive screenings, striking a balance between international contemporary cinema and local talent.
The entries are divided into two categories:
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Official Section: Comprises 215 features, each over 40 minutes in length and produced after 1 January 2025. The final programme will feature between six and eight films, with the winner receiving a cash prize of €6,500.
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Crossroads: Filmmakers from the Canary Islands: Features 32 shorts by local directors, from which five to seven titles will be selected for the final competition, competing for a prize of €1,200.
Under the direction of Javier Fuentes Feo, this edition of the festival will centre around a theme closely related to Lanzarote, which will be revealed soon by the organisers. The festival has received vital support from several institutions, including the Cabildo of Lanzarote, the Centres for Art, Culture and Tourism, Lanzarote Film Commission, the Government of the Canary Islands, the ICAA, and the Canary Islands Institute of Cultural Development.
For more details on the film schedule, visit the cinema section of the festival’s website.
