San Cristóbal de La Laguna, May 7, 2025 - The Festival de Cine Fantástico de Canarias Ciudad de La Laguna Isla Calavera announces the opening of the call for the reception of feature and short films for its competitive and panorama sections, for its ninth edition, which will take place from November 7 to 16, 2025 in Tenerife.
This year, Isla Calavera is celebrating its recent incorporation to the prestigious Méliès International Festivals Federation (MIFF), the most relevant network of fantastic film festivals in Europe. Thanks to this distinction, the Canary Islands Fantastic Film Festival will award for the first time the Silver Méliès Award for Best European Short Film. The winning film will directly enter the competition for the Golden Méliès, the highest continental recognition of the genre.
Registration open to all sections
The call is aimed at fantastic genre works (horror, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, black comedy...) both animated and live-action, in fiction or documentary format, produced in any country and in any language. Works can be submitted through the platforms Festhome and Filmfreeway, or by sending an email to programacion@festivalislacalavera.com with the subject "2025 CONTEST" and a private viewing link. The deadline for submissions is October 1, 2025.
New section: 'Made in the Canary Islands
As an outstanding novelty, Isla Calavera also inaugurates the non-competitive section 'Made in the Canary Islands', aimed at feature and short films produced between 2022 and 2025 that present a special link with the archipelago. Works shot totally or partially in the Canary Islands, directed, written or starring Canary Island residents, produced by companies based in the islands, or with at least 50% of the crew residing in the Canary Islands are eligible. This section seeks to give visibility and value to the talent and cinematographic creativity of the region.
The Isla Calavera Festival was born in 2017 and in its first eight years of trajectory has achieved an important international impact and is considered one of the most relevant fantastic film meetings in the country, thanks to the firm sponsorship and vision of the City Council of La Laguna, through its Department of Culture, Promotur, Tourism of the Canary Islands, Islas Canarias Latitud de Vida, and the help of the Cabildo of Tenerife and the Government of the Canary Islands, among other public and private entities.
Awards and recognitions
In addition to the Silver Méliès, the festival will award jury and audience prizes in its competitive sections, including awards for best feature and short films, best direction and screenplay, best acting, best special effects and best costumes. Details and specific requirements for each section can be found in the festival's official rules and regulations.
Daniel Fumero and Ramón González Trujillo, co-directors of the festival, emphasize: "The incorporation of the Méliès de Plata and the 'Made in the Canary Islands' section are significant steps that reflect our commitment to the international projection of fantastic cinema and support for local talent".
