What if your first professional short film were supervised by the creators of global hits such as Money Heist (La casa de papel) or Retribution (El desconocido)? Curtas Festival do Imaxinario and Producciones Mutantes are joining forces to launch CURTAS MUTANTES 2026, a pioneering initiative designed to transform a debut screenplay into a top-tier cinematic work.
More than just a contest, Curtas Mutantes represents a massive opportunity for new creators in the fantastic genre. The competition offers what few calls can guarantee: direct access to professionalization, breaking down the traditional barriers to entry in the audiovisual sector. Please note that this call for entries is only open to residents of Spain.
A Gateway to the Industry
Curtas Mutantes sets itself apart from traditional academic training to position itself as a true professional launchpad. Its philosophy is to serve as a bridge for a debut screenwriter/director to experience their first professional shoot in a real industrial environment, supported by the technical and logistical backing of an established production company and the endorsement of an international festival.
Instead of receiving a cash prize to manage independently, the winner will enter a professional production dynamic. The shoot, scheduled for this summer in Vilagarcía de Arousa (Spain), will utilize top-level camera, lighting, and sound equipment provided by the organization.
Selection Jury
The selection process will begin with an initial phase conducted by the Curtas team to determine 10 finalist scripts. These works will then be evaluated by a jury of experts including producer and director Raúl Cerezo (The Elderly), critic and screenwriter Javier Trigales (El Semblante), and director Olga Osorio (Jump!), who will be responsible for choosing the winning project.
Learning from the Best
The significant competitive advantage of this opportunity lies in the human team that will accompany the winner throughout the process. The project will be mentored by two of the most prominent names in the fantastic and thriller genres in Spain:
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Alberto Marini (Sleep Tight, Retribution, The Unit) will advise the winner on perfecting the narrative and script structure before shooting.
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Miguel Ángel Vivas (Kidnapped, Extinction, Money Heist) will offer his expert vision and guidance on directing and mise-en-scène.
They are joined by Gero Costas (Producciones Mutantes) for technical post-production supervision and Luis M. Rosales (Director of Curtas) for distribution strategy.
Prestigious Distribution and Premiere
The opportunity does not end with the shoot. To ensure the film has a successful run, the prize includes an official poster design by the Festival’s creative team and, thanks to the collaboration of Festhome, an Annual Pass to the platform. This key tool will allow the short film to travel to festivals worldwide without management costs, facilitating its international reach.
The crowning moment will be the official premiere of the short film during the 54th edition of Curtas Festival do Imaxinario, where the work will share the screen with the best international productions of the year.
Deadlines and Registration
The search for the next great talent in fantastic cinema has already begun. Scripts with a fantastic theme and a maximum duration of 5 minutes can be submitted until April 30, 2026, through the Festhome platform, under the Curtas Mutantes section.
The winning project will be announced on May 15.