Programme preview
ZINEBI, the International Festival of Documentary and Short Film of Bilbao, accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) since 1974, will hold its 68th edition from 20 to 27 November 2026.
Over its 67 editions, ZINEBI has consolidated its standing as a leading international event for short films and documentaries, as well as being a meeting place for emerging filmmakers, contemporary thought and the audiovisual industry.
The 68th edition will continue in that vein, with its programme structured into different sections and spaces that reflect the diversity of approaches of films today.
Sections open for entries
Official Selection – International Short Film Competition
Focal point of the festival. It features an international selection of short films (documentaries, fiction and animation) and is an outreach platform for new filmmakers and a space to discover the cutting-edge trends of contemporary cinema.
Bertoko Begiradak – short films
Section dedicated to recent Basque short films.
Bertoko Begiradak provides an overview of the territory’s audiovisual work and bolsters ZINEBI’s commitment to the local creative and cultural fabric.
Spain Short
Programme for short films produced in the Spanish State, which features a representative selection of the new voices and work lines of contemporary cinema.
Other sections and activities
The festival team define and curate the content of these sections. Entries can also be submitted by contacting ZINEBI directly.
Bertoko Begiradak (feature films)
Along with the short films, the festival programmes a selection of Basque documentary feature films, which expands its showcasing of the territory’s audiovisual work.
Essential Docs
Section that showcases some of the most important documentary feature films of the year on the international scene; the ZINEBI audience thus has the opportunity to discover works noted for their authorial approach and their ability to dialogue with the present.
ZINEBISKOPIO
A space that considers films as a tool for dialogue, constructing a critical gaze and collective memory. It aims to forge ties between film production and the contemporary social and cultural context.
Industry
ZINEBI Networking
Professional forum of the festival. Filmmakers, producers and stakeholders of the sector gather together for presentations, meetings and activities aimed at developing and circulating projects; it is also the opportunity for emerging talent to connect with the industry.
Accolades
ZINEBI awards the Mikeldis of Honour in each edition in recognition of the career of leading international filmmakers.
