General Regulation – Lisbon Sport Film Festival

THE FESTIVAL

The Lisbon Sport Film Festival – International FICTS Festival is the only film festival in Portugal dedicated to Sports in its full scope of modalities, as well as its social and cultural aspects. The festival aims to promote, disseminate, reflect upon, and value global sports cinematography.
A UESPT-PORTUGAL is the organizing body, in partnership with the Féderation Internationale du Cinéma Télévision Sportifs (FICTS) and CINEFOOT.
FICTS, headquartered in Milan, brings together the most prestigious sports film festivals worldwide, held in countries such as Italy, China, the USA, Nepal, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Uganda, Mexico, Serbia, Uzbekistan, Czech Republic, Argentina, Iran, Brazil, and since 2019, Portugal with the Lisbon Sport Film Festival.
CINEFOOT – Football Film Festival, based in Rio de Janeiro, is Brazil’s first football-focused film festival and a pioneer in Latin America with exclusive curatorial and conceptual approaches to football. Its aim is the promotion, dissemination, reflection, and valuation of global football cinematography.
The Lisbon Sport Film Festival 2026 includes three competitive screenings: i) Sport and Society; ii) CINEFOOT Portugal; iii) Lisbon Sport Film Festival – Television.
The 2026 edition will be held in person, from May 13 to 16, 2026.
At the discretion of the Organizing Committee, selected films may be exhibited at additional non-commercial screenings throughout the country for promotional purposes.

A UESPT PORTUGAL organizes the Lisbon Sport Film Festival – International FICTS Festival. The association values the democratization of sport and aims to promote and develop Sport for All.
Through the festival, UESPT PORTUGAL promotes the values of sport as a tool for personal, social development, and accessibility, particularly emphasizing the following areas: Education and Literacy; Gender Equality; Social Development and Inclusion.

Film submissions are free and open from August 1 until midnight, November 30, 2025.
A maximum of three titles per director/producer is allowed.
Submissions are accepted for short films (up to 30 minutes), medium-length, or feature films from any nationality, provided the main theme is sport, regardless of production year.
In category “Sport and Society”, selected short and feature films must focus o topics connected to sports social elements.
In category “CINEFOOT Portugal”, in partnership with CINEFOOT, selected short and feature films should have football in all its dimensions as the main topic.
In category “LSFF-Television” Sports works made for TV, regardless of length will be selected.
Films must be completed by the time of submission.
Submissions must be made through FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/lisbonsportfilmfestival
When registering a film, the responsible person subscribe and accept the regulation, without space for any contestation.
Submitters must provide a viewable link or MP4 file via the platform.
International films must have English subtitles, even if spoken in English.
All submitted works must comply fully with the rules of this regulation.
Registered films will be sent to selection committee, who will choose the participants for the 2026 edition.
Selected films must provide a DCP format copy for cinema screening. Failure to do so may lead to disqualification.
Submitted films may be used exclusively for cultural, non-commercial purposes.

A Selection Committee, appointed by the Festival’s Organizing Committee, will consist of three invited members from cinema, audiovisual, media, or sports sectors.
Selected works will feature in one of three categories: “Sport and Society”; “CINEFOOT Portugal”; “Lisbon Sport Film Festival – Television”.
The final selection will be published by January 6, 2026, on the official website: lisbonsportfilmfestival.com
Participants will be also informed by the organizing committee.
Technical and promotional material requirements will be communicated to selected participants.
All decisions of the Selection Committee are final and non-negotiable.
Selected films must either have: a rating classification from IGAC (Portuguese Cultural Activities Inspection), or a declared target age rating by the submitters.
If musical works protected by copyright are used, their authors and respective rights associations must be identified.

O Lisbon Sport Film Festival will award prizes for best films based on jury decision. Juri will be composed of representatives appointed by UESPT PORTUGAL, FICTS, and CINEFOOT.
Lisbon Sport Film Festival 2026 will award a Trophy for the best film in each of the categories. Honorable Mentions may be awarded at the Jury’s discretion.
Results will be announced during the Festival’s Closing Ceremony.
Jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
Outstanding films may be nominated for the “Sport Movies & TV – Milano International FICTS Festival 2026”.

The festival will handle the safekeeping of selected films for exclusive use in the 2026 edition (8th edition).
All screenings will be free to the public.

By registering, participants agree to the following:

Selected films are automatically authorized for screening as part of the festival program.
Screening copies in DCP format must be sent by March 6, 2026.
The festival and UESPT-Portugal are not responsible for issues related to: Copyright; Use of voice, image, soundtrack; Content rating; Intellectual property.
Participants authorize the festival to use excerpts of the selected works for event promotion, graphic and promotional materials.
Screening dates and times are defined solely by the Organizing Committee.
Submitting a film implies full acceptance of the regulation.
Submitters confirm that the filmmaker holds all necessary rights and that the work does not infringe on any third-party rights. Submitters accept full legal responsibility for any claims or disputes.
Any omissions will be resolved by the Organizing Committee.