The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) office in Cuba, in alliance with the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema and the Palomas Project, Casa Productora de Audiovisuales para el Activismo Social; is calling for applications for the «Older Female Creators in Cinema, for Gender Justice» grant.
The purpose of the initiative is to promote and make visible the audiovisual work of women over 50 residing in Cuba, providing support for fiction or documentary short film projects, and promoting content that addresses gender equality, diversity, and the multiple forms of discrimination.
Furthermore, as the call states, the grant seeks to provide a concrete opportunity for female filmmakers to bring their stories, ideas, and proposals to the screen: a documentary or fiction short film project with a gender and intersectional focus, alluding to themes such as rights, diversity, discrimination, and ageing, among others.
To apply, creators must take into account that the audiovisual piece must not exceed 15 minutes; and address gender justice, bodily autonomy, human rights, ageing, discrimination, diversity, or other related themes; with an approach oriented towards narratives with a transformative, inclusive, and rights-committed perspective.
The selected work will receive a production grant equivalent to 10,000 USD; in addition to technical advice and creative support from the Palomas Project team and audiovisual professionals; and a special screening of the finished film during the 2026 International Festival of New Latin American Cinema, in Havana.
An application form is available at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5PdNsUbIakzj4rEq9wwT3Hhk6heutGh3dvLSDS9csn4jsBw/viewform?usp=header, to which a project synopsis —no more than one page—, the full script, the thematic justification and focus, a personal motivation letter, the estimated budget and production schedule, as well as a biographical sketch or Curriculum Vitae of the applicant must be attached.
Submissions will be accepted until 18 November of this year, and the announcement of the selected work will take place on 5 December; meanwhile, according to the rules, the audiovisual piece must be completed with an exhibition copy by 30 October 2026.
The call signifies that, for further information, one can consult the social media channels of UNFPA Cuba, the Palomas Project, Casa Productora de Audiovisuales para el Activismo Social, as well as the Havana Film Festival; or send an email to: industriafestivalhabana@gmail.com
