New short films produced in 2021 or to be produced in 2022 are accepted, within the duration limit of 60 minutes (unless otherwise noted), on film (35 or 16 mm) or digital (DCP).

Submissions are available for various categories and in the various competitions of the festival: International Competition, National Competition, Experimental Competition, Curtinhas and Music Videos.

Once again, Curtas Vila do Conde is part of the OSCAR® Qualifying Film Festival List festivals. The Grand Prix of the International Competition and the Award for Best Film in the Portuguese Competition are eligible for consideration in the OSCAR® Academy Awards® Best Animation/Fiction (Live Action) categories.

One of the films awarded by the jury will also be chosen as the nominee for the European Film Awards, in the category of short film, organized annually by the European Film Academy.