The Sant Joan d’Alacant Film Festival has announced the call for short films for its 24th edition, to be held from April 21 to 27, 2024. This year introduces several innovations, including a family-friendly category and a dedicated segment for local municipality-related works. These new opportunities come with two fresh awards sponsored by the Ministry of Culture of Sant Joan, highlighting the festival’s commitment to diverse voices and community storytelling.
Filmmakers from across the country are invited to participate, with the competition already qualifying entries for consideration at national awards. A wide range of projects can be submitted up to January 19, making it possible for creators to showcase concise, expressive pieces that reflect contemporary concerns. The call welcomes both national professionals and residents who have produced short-format works since January 2023, encouraging a broad spectrum of perspectives and styles.
Regarding the new local category, eligibility requirements have been updated, extending the participation window and adjusting the seniority rules. The registration deadline has been shifted to a date yet to be determined, following a logic that mirrors the festival’s flexible approach to emerging talent. The Popcorn Ficus prize recognizes the best work in this section with 500 euros, and the selected short films will be screened in a dedicated daily showcase, complementing the Official Section titles. Likewise, the family-audience short film segment will feature its own showcase and a special prize, also 500 euros, funded by Ficus for inclusive audiences.
All selected shorts will undergo evaluation by the festival jury, which will award the Ficus de Oro Sant Joan d’Alacant for the best short film, accompanied by a prize of 2,000 euros. Additional recognitions include the We Carry Silver Ficus prize for a work with a social and environmental theme worth 500 euros, and the UMH Silver Ficus award for the best film school project, valued at 600 euros. The jury may also honor excellence in direction, screenplay, and commentary with non-monetary recognitions. These honors emphasize the festival’s dedication to celebrating creativity, social impact, and emerging talent from multiple angles.
The winners of the edition are scheduled to be announced at the closing ceremony, which doubles as the awards ceremony on April 27. Short-film registrations are processed through a single platform, with choices among Clickforfestivals, Festhome, or Movibeta. The selection committee will review all entries that conform to the rules and will showcase eligible projects on the chosen platforms for viewing by the jury and audience alike. This streamlined process reflects the festival’s effort to simplify submission workflows while ensuring broad visibility for participating filmmakers.