The 17th ZINEBI Express short film competition will be held from 12 to 17 November 2025. It is organised by the International Festival of Documentary and Short Film of Bilbao, ZINEBI, in collaboration with EHUKultura and alongside the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country’s Fine Arts Faculty, the Basque Country Film School and the Tangana Integrated VET Centre, and is open to other institutions and schools. It is supported and sponsored by IDOM.
Anyone wishing to shoot a short film will have the chance to test-drive their talent over five days only. This year the competition kicks off with a talk by Agustín Atxa, Director of the Bilbao Bizkaia Film Commission.
After the event on Wednesday 12 November at the La Perrera building (Bilbao), the mandatory theme for short films competing in ZINEBI EXPRESS will be announced. During the weekend of 14, 15 and 16 November, teams will shoot and work on their short films, on the basis of the theme they have been given. Entries may be submitted electronically up to Monday 17 November at noon.
All short films will have a maximum running time of 3 minutes, and must have at least one outdoor scene.
A specific jury panel will decide the winners of the three prizes: 800 euros, 600 euros and 400 euros.
The short films chosen along with other participants will be screened at Cines Golem Alhóndiga – Azkuna Zentroa (Arriquibar Plaza, 4 Bilbao), on Saturday, November 22, at 10:30 a.m. The screening forms part of “Pórtico ZINEBI Ataria”, an activity offering attendees information, insights, and success stories
Juries
Ainhoa Urgoitia
Documentary film and television director and screenwriter. She holds a degree in Audiovisual Communication from the University of the Basque Country (UPV), and a diploma in Documentary Filmmaking and Film Analysis from the Valencia Film School.
Juan Dopico
Graduate in Journalism from the University of the Basque Country (EHU) and a Master’s in Digital Arts from Pompeu Fabra University. Founding member of Caostica, the association that organises the Caostica International Short Film and Music Video Festival.
Inés Bermejo
Visual artist and cultural manager. She holds a degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s in Performing Arts and Visual Culture from the University of the Basque Country.
