IbizaCineFest 2027 – Ibiza, Spain

What to expect

IbizaCineFest, officially the Festival Internacional de Cinema Independent d’Eivissa, is an independent and auteur-focused film festival that brings contemporary cinema to Ibiza through feature films, short films, documentaries, animation, experimental work, professional activities and educational projects. The festival has developed a strong identity around cinema that sits outside conventional commercial programming, with particular attention to emerging filmmakers, local Balearic production and international independent cinema.

The 2027 edition is already open for film submissions, while the full public programme, final selection of films, guests and screening timetable have not yet been announced. The current official call confirms that the festival is continuing its Panorama feature-film programme and short-film competitions, while its recent editions show a much broader programme incorporating masterclasses, environmental cinema, gender-equality programming, children’s cinema, Balearic filmmaking and professional meetings.

IbizaCineFest is particularly interesting for visitors who want to experience the island beyond its famous nightlife. The festival works across several municipalities and cultural venues, turning Ibiza into a distributed cinema destination rather than concentrating everything in one theatre. Recent editions have involved five municipalities and as many as ten venues across the island.

Its programme also has an important professional dimension. The festival is a qualifying event for the Goya Awards, Forqué Awards and Fugaz Awards and collaborates with the European Film Academy through the Shortfilms on Tour initiative. This gives the short-film competition considerable importance for filmmakers seeking recognition and industry exposure.

Festival dates

IbizaCineFest 2027 will take place from 5 to 14 March 2027 in Ibiza, Spain. The 2027 event date is listed by the festival’s current FilmFreeway information, while the festival’s official website is already promoting the open call for the 2027 edition.

The event will continue the festival’s established format of combining film screenings with professional, educational and cultural activities across Ibiza.

The full 2027 programme is not yet published, so individual screening dates, session times, confirmed venues and guest appearances should be checked once the official schedule is released.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venues & festival locations

IbizaCineFest is notable for its multi-venue format. Rather than operating from one cinema alone, the festival has recently expanded across cultural spaces in several municipalities, allowing audiences throughout the island to participate.

Recent principal venues have included:

• Auditori Caló de s’Oli in Sant Josep de sa Talaia
• Can Jeroni in Sant Josep de sa Talaia
• Teatro España in Santa Eulària des Riu
• THB Los Molinos in Ibiza
• Espacio Cultural Can Ventosa in Ibiza
• UIB in Ibiza
• Cine Regio in Sant Antoni de Portmany
• Sala de Plens de l’Ajuntament de Sant Joan de Labritja

The festival’s venue directory identifies these locations and provides their addresses.

Can Jeroni has been particularly important for competitive screenings, masterclasses and the closing programme, while Caló de s’Oli has hosted major opening activities. THB Los Molinos has also been used for press presentations and professional masterclasses.

The final 2027 venue list may differ from the previous edition, so visitors should use the official programme when planning journeys between municipalities.

Full programme

The 2027 programme has not yet been announced in full, but the current submission structure and recent editions provide a clear picture of the festival’s core programming.

The principal strands include:

• Panorama feature films
• National short films
• International short films
• FEM-CINE
• Balearic and Ibizan short films
• Focus Balear
• Environmental cinema
• Children’s cinema
• Documentary cinema
• Animation
• Experimental and auteur cinema
• Professional masterclasses
• Filmmaker conversations
• Script competitions
• Educational activities
• Special screenings
• Online programming

The official regulations currently state that feature films can be fiction or documentary and that selected feature films may be considered for Panorama or parallel sections. The festival’s selection committee plans to select feature films for physical screenings and potentially for its online programme.

Short films can be submitted across national, international and FEM-CINE sections as well as parallel programmes. The festival accepts fiction, documentary, animation and experimental shorts, with a maximum running time of 30 minutes under the current rules.

Recent programming also demonstrates the festival’s willingness to experiment with new formats, including photography, environmental awareness, film residencies and cinema education.

Featured films & premieres

The 2027 film selection has not yet been announced. Because the festival’s open call remains active, it would be misleading to name specific 2027 films as confirmed selections at this stage.

The strongest indication of the upcoming programme comes from the current submission categories. Panorama will focus on feature films, while the short-film programme will continue to include national, international and FEM-CINE selections.

The international competition traditionally gives audiences an opportunity to discover films that have limited exposure in Spain. Previous editions have specifically promoted international shorts as Spanish premieres or exclusive presentations, making the festival attractive to viewers searching for new filmmakers.

Recent Panorama programming has included independent Spanish and international features, documentary works and films presented by their directors. Previous selections have included La Isla de los Faisanes, Ciudad sin sueño, Bodegón con fantasmas, Nancy and Kickoff, among others.

Once the 2027 selection is announced, visitors should prioritize official premieres, Panorama titles and films accompanied by filmmaker presentations.

Directors, actors & guests

The 2027 guest list has not yet been announced. However, filmmaker participation is a central part of IbizaCineFest’s identity, with previous editions regularly featuring directors, actors, producers, artists, critics and other audiovisual professionals.

Recent guests have included Asier Urbieta and actor Jone Laspiur around La Isla de los Faisanes, while directors such as Guillermo Galoe, Enrique Buleo, Juan Cavestany, Roser Corella and Stefano Obino have also participated in programme activities.

Professional masterclasses have brought prominent creative figures to the festival. Joan Fontcuberta, Gala Hernández and Enrique Buleo were among the leading figures featured in recent professional programming.

The festival also encourages directors of selected films to attend screenings and participate in audience discussions. This makes filmmaker encounters one of the strongest reasons to attend in person.

Screening schedule

The detailed 2027 screening schedule has not yet been published.

Based on the festival’s established format, visitors can expect a mixture of feature-film sessions, short-film competition blocks, Balearic cinema, special screenings, children’s programmes and professional activities.

Recent programmes have included dedicated sessions for national short films, international shorts, Focus Balear, FEM-CINE, environmental cinema and CINEKIDS. Masterclasses and professional conversations have been scheduled separately from the main film screenings.

The final schedule should be checked carefully because the festival uses venues across several municipalities. A visitor attending multiple sessions may need to travel between Ibiza Town, Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Santa Eulària des Riu, Sant Antoni de Portmany and Sant Joan de Labritja.

Ticket types & accreditation

The 2027 public ticket structure has not yet been published. Recent editions indicate that a large part of the municipal programme is free to attend, subject to venue capacity, while selected commercial cinema screenings can have a separate admission charge. A recent special screening at Cine Regio was priced at approximately $7 based on the published €6 ticket price.

Masterclasses, professional conversations and many cultural activities have also generally been accessible without a separate admission charge in recent programming. Online films available through Filmin may require an active Filmin subscription.

For filmmakers, submission fees are separate from audience tickets. The current 2027 submission platform lists feature-film fees from approximately $26 for early submission and approximately $30 for standard, late and extended submission, based on the published euro amounts.

The current short-film submission fees vary by category and deadline, so filmmakers should consult the official FilmFreeway or Festhome listing rather than relying on a single general price.

Industry & professional access

IbizaCineFest has a significant professional component. Its activities are designed not only to screen films but also to encourage interaction between emerging filmmakers, established professionals, cultural organisations and audiences.

Recent professional programming has included masterclasses on photography, filmmaking processes, artificial intelligence, distribution and creative research. The festival has also organised dedicated conversations about the condition of Balearic short-film production.

The Slow Cinema residency is another example of the festival’s commitment to practical filmmaking. It brought together filmmakers from different countries for a creative workshop combining theory, production and a contemplative approach to filmmaking.

The script competition provides another route for emerging creators. Under the current rules, up to five finalists are selected to participate in recorded pitches, with evaluation based on professional format, originality, cinematic visualisation and structure. The winning script receives a $1,000 cash award based on the published €1,000 prize.

The festival’s Goya, Forqué and Fugaz qualifying status further strengthens its relevance for filmmakers seeking professional recognition.

Red carpet & special events

The opening and closing events are among the most attractive experiences for visitors who want to see the festival’s more ceremonial side.

Recent opening programming has combined a major film premiere with live performance, catering and a welcoming event for audiences. The opening has also provided opportunities for filmmakers and leading guests to meet the public.

The closing ceremony traditionally brings together filmmakers, industry professionals, institutional representatives and audiences for the presentation of the festival’s awards.

Special events can include masterclasses, filmmaker conversations, environmental cinema, photography-related activities, educational projects and presentations by distributors.

Because the festival works across the island, these events can create very different experiences depending on the venue, from a formal auditorium screening to a more intimate cultural conversation.

Festival rules

The current festival regulations establish separate requirements for feature films, short films and the script competition.

For feature films, the current rules accept works of more than 60 minutes for fiction and more than 45 minutes for documentaries. Productions from any nationality can participate under the current call. Selected works must have Spanish or Catalan subtitles if those languages are not the original version.

Short films can belong to fiction, documentary, animation or experimental genres and must currently be no longer than 30 minutes. Selected films that are not originally in Spanish or Catalan must be subtitled in one of those languages.

The festival requires producers of selected works to grant screening rights for the festival’s auditoriums and potentially allow trailers to be used for promotional purposes.

Script submissions must be original, use professional screenplay formatting and include a synopsis of no more than one page. Technical scripts and storyboards are not accepted, and the current maximum screenplay length is 15 pages excluding the cover and synopsis.

How to get there

Ibiza is served by Ibiza Airport, the island’s principal international gateway. Visitors arriving by air can reach Ibiza Town and other municipalities by taxi, rental car or local bus.

For international visitors, flying directly to Ibiza is generally the simplest option during the festival. Connections may also be available through mainland Spanish airports depending on the season and airline schedules.

Visitors already travelling in the Balearic Islands can also reach Ibiza by ferry. The island has maritime connections with mainland Spain and other Balearic destinations.

Because the festival operates across multiple municipalities, renting a car can be useful for visitors planning to attend several screenings at different venues.

Public transport & parking

Ibiza has a public bus network connecting Ibiza Town with several major municipalities and tourist areas. Public transport can work well for visitors whose festival programme is concentrated in central Ibiza.

For events in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Sant Antoni de Portmany, Santa Eulària des Riu or Sant Joan de Labritja, journey times should be checked in advance because evening connections can be less frequent.

A rental car provides greater flexibility when attending several venues on the same day. It is particularly useful for visitors combining festival activities with sightseeing around the island.

Parking availability varies considerably between venues. Visitors should arrive early at popular cultural events and avoid assuming that a parking space will be available immediately outside the venue.

Accommodation areas

Ibiza Town is the best overall base for visitors who want convenient access to the largest concentration of cultural venues and restaurants.

Staying in or around the city centre is particularly practical for visitors attending activities at Can Ventosa, UIB, THB Los Molinos and other central locations.

Sant Josep de sa Talaia is another useful option because Can Jeroni and Auditori Caló de s’Oli have been important festival venues. It can also provide a quieter alternative to staying in Ibiza Town.

Sant Antoni de Portmany and Santa Eulària des Riu can work well for visitors whose programme is concentrated in those areas, although they are less central to the overall festival network.

Food & dining

Ibiza offers an extensive range of restaurants, from traditional island cuisine and seafood to international restaurants, cafés and casual dining.

Ibiza Town is the easiest base for visitors who want a broad selection of dining options within walking distance of accommodation and cultural venues.

Visitors should consider planning meals around the screening schedule because travelling between municipalities can take time, particularly during busy periods.

For a more local experience, visitors can look for traditional Balearic dishes and seafood restaurants rather than relying exclusively on the island’s better-known nightlife-oriented dining scene.

Accessibility

Accessibility can vary considerably because IbizaCineFest uses numerous independent cultural venues rather than one purpose-built festival complex.

Visitors requiring wheelchair access, accessible seating or other assistance should check the individual venue before attending. Can Jeroni, Caló de s’Oli, Can Ventosa, Teatro España, Cine Regio and other locations have different physical layouts and facilities.

The festival’s broad community approach is reflected in its educational and audience-development activities, including CINEKIDS and programmes designed to introduce cinema to younger audiences.

For specific accessibility requirements, contacting the festival directly at info@ibizacinefest.com before purchasing or attending is the safest approach.

Best screenings to attend

Best for independent cinema: Panorama is the section to prioritize if you want feature-length auteur cinema from Spain and abroad. The festival’s current submission structure confirms that selected feature films can enter Panorama and parallel sections.

Best for discovering emerging filmmakers: The international short-film competition is one of the strongest choices for audiences interested in new voices and international independent cinema.

Best for Spanish cinema: The national short-film competition is particularly valuable because selected films can qualify for the Goya, Forqué and Fugaz award pathways.

Best for Balearic cinema: Focus Balear is the key section for discovering filmmakers from Ibiza and the wider Balearic Islands. Recent editions have highlighted both established local creators and emerging talent.

Best for socially engaged cinema: FEM-CINE focuses on works that promote gender equality and has become an established part of the festival’s identity.

Best for families: CINEKIDS is designed for children and families and has included international animated shorts using different animation techniques.

Best for professionals: The masterclasses and industry meetings are particularly worthwhile for filmmakers, students, producers and other audiovisual professionals interested in creative development and networking.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition marked the festival’s tenth anniversary and represented one of its most ambitious programmes. The organisers presented more than 120 national and international titles and expanded the programme across ten venues in five municipalities.

La Isla de los Faisanes by Asier Urbieta was selected as the opening feature, with Urbieta and lead actor Jone Laspiur participating in the presentation. The programme also featured Ciudad sin sueño by Guillermo Galoe and a wide range of independent Spanish and international cinema.

The professional programme included masterclasses from Joan Fontcuberta, Gala Hernández and Enrique Buleo, covering photography, critical approaches to contemporary image-making and creative filmmaking processes.

The festival also expanded its environmental and social programming through Be Blue Think Green and FEM-CINE, while CINEKIDS brought animation to younger audiences.

The final awards recognised Le Mur du Son by Antonio La Cámara as the international short-film winner, On No Hi Ha Llum by Julia Garcia as the national short-film winner, and several Balearic productions through the Focus Balear awards. Nancy by Luciano Zito received the #ConUnPack distribution award.

Official tickets & accreditation

The official festival website is: https://ibizacinefest.com/

The 2027 open call is already active, but the public screening programme and complete audience ticket information have not yet been published. Visitors should use the official website once the programme is released for the confirmed screening venues, admission arrangements and any festival passes.

The festival’s recent model has included many free municipal screenings and activities, while selected special cinema sessions have charged admission. The most recent published example found was a $7 admission price for a special Cine Regio screening, converted from the listed €6.

Filmmakers can submit through the festival’s partner platforms. The current 2027 submission listing on FilmFreeway confirms the event dates and shows the active submission cycle, while Festhome provides current category and fee information.

Official contact email:

info@ibizacinefest.com