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REEL X International Short Film Festival 2026

Hosted by Fine Arts Capital & Dávid Gallery | Budapest

Festival Description

The REEL X International Short Film Festival invites filmmakers from all over the world to explore how we see ourselves — and the world around us.
We celebrate the short film as a powerful artistic tool that reflects identity, challenges perception, and builds bridges between communities and cultures.

REEL X is hosted by Fine Arts Capital, in collaboration with the Dávid Gallery, a Budapest-based contemporary art space known for its commitment to new media, experimentation and boundary-breaking artistic practices.

This edition focuses on films that do more than tell a story: they observe, question, provoke and transform.

Festival Theme 2026

"What We Think of Ourselves and Our Environment"

We are looking for films that capture personal, social, cultural or environmental reflections.
The theme may be approached literally, symbolically, intimately or abstractly — from quiet personal moments to bold artistic statements.

(The theme is mandatory for all categories except Student Films and Experimental Films.)

Why REEL X?

• a two-round international competition
• professional curatorial selection by Dávid Gallery
• opportunity to exhibit in a virtual new-media showcase
• global visibility across the gallery's and the association's platforms
• an inclusive festival open to all filmmakers, regardless of age, gender or nationality

REEL X is a place where imagination meets introspection — and where short films redefine how we see ourselves.

Categories

1. Short Films – max. 20 minutes
2. Documentaries – max. 50 minutes
3. Animated Films – max. 20 minutes
4. Student Films – university, academy & film school students – max.30 minutes
5. Experimental Films – max. 20 minutes

Awards & Recognition

• Best Short Film
• Best Documentary
• Best Animation
• Best Experimental Film
• Emerging Talent Award (Student Category)
• Curator's Choice – Dávid Gallery Award

Selected films will be showcased in the 2026 September digital exhibition hosted by Dávid Gallery.

This virtual showcase is dedicated to new media and moving-image art, aligning with the gallery's mission to promote groundbreaking contemporary practices.

Exhibition Format

A curated digital screening series presented by the Dávid Gallery.
Films will appear as part of a virtual exhibition experience, integrating sound, image and space in an innovative new-media environment.

Rules & Terms

• Films must include English subtitles, regardless of original language.
• All submissions must be completed after January 1, 2023.
• Each filmmaker may submit only one film.
• The theme must be respected in all categories except Student Films and Experimental Films.
• Accepted formats: Vimeo/Youtube/Drive private link + downloadable file on request.
• By submitting, entrants authorize the festival to use stills, screenshots and short excerpts for promotional purposes.

Selection Process

The festival operates in two rounds:

Round 1 – Technical & Eligibility Review

Films are checked for length, subtitles, technical quality and eligibility. 35 EUR entry fee applies.

Round 2 – Curatorial Jury

A professional panel appointed by Dávid Gallery selects finalists and winners based on:

• originality
• artistic approach
• thematic relevance
• visual and narrative strength
• innovation and contemporary impact

Eligibility

Open to creators worldwide, without restrictions related to nationality, gender or age.

Join REEL X

Your vision.
Your reflection.
Your world on screen.

Submit your film and be part of a festival where stories reshape reality.