International Competition

The DCN Beers Grand Prize, worth €2,250, will be awarded to the best film in the International Competition. ESMAD will also award the best film in each genre — Animation, Documentary, and Fiction — with €500 per category.

The Fricon Audience Award, given to the film that receives the most votes from viewers in this section, is worth €2,000. In addition, one of the films will be nominated for the 2026 European Film Awards, representing Curtas in the race for Best European Short Film - Prix Vimeo.

Portuguese Competition

The Escola das Artes Award (from the Catholic University of Portugal), distinguishes the best national film with €1,500. The winner will also benefit from €6,000 in audio post-production services offered by Pulsar Studios, the acquisition of screening rights by TVCine, and a prize of €400 in registrations on the Festhome platform.

The public will also have a say in this competition, with the SPA – Portuguese Society of Authors Award, worth €1,500, going to the most voted national film.

It should be noted that Portuguese films competing in this section are also eligible for the International Competition awards.

Experimental and Other Competitions

In the Experimental Competition, the Centro de Arte Oliva Award, worth €1,500, will be given to the best film.

The My Generation section, voted on by students from partner schools, will award the Auto Bemguiados Award (€1,250) to the film with the highest average vote.

In the Curtinhas children's section, the children's jury (children between the ages of 8 and 12) will award the Ativo Kids Prize: €750 plus a €250 voucher.

Take One! – Student Competition

The Take One! student competition awards several prizes: the best film will receive €2,500 in services from Showreel, €800 from IPDJ, and a training voucher worth €800 from Restart.

The best director will be awarded €2,000 in post-production services offered by Blit.

Music Video and Curtas Pro

The Music Videos section will award the winner with a Louie Louie voucher worth €500.

In the Curtas Pro – In Development program, dedicated to projects in development, several services will be awarded: €3,600 in sound consulting (Pulsar Studios), €2,000 in post-production (Blit), €400 in Festhome registrations, and specialized consulting from the MIDPOINT Institute.

With this wide array of awards and support mechanisms, Curtas Vila do Conde reinforces its role as a leading platform for independent filmmaking, promoting emerging talents and new cinematic voices from Portugal and beyond.