Category A
Conventional Film
Fiction-based or based on a true story. Three themes: Mauritian Legends and Myths, A Day in the Republic of Mauritius, A Second Chance.
Submit your filmMauritius Film Development Corporation
National Short Film Competition 2026
Your story. Your vision. Your Mauritius.
Create a short film and bring your story to life.
Submission deadline: 13 November 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
The competition at a glance
-
Rs.400,000
Total prize money
Cash prizes across all three categories.
-
3
Categories
Conventional, artificial intelligence and documentary.
-
9
Themes
Pick the theme that sparks your story.
-
Open to all
Nationwide
The people of the Republic of Mauritius.
About the competition
Tell your story. Make it a film
The National Short Film Competition 2026 invites the people of Mauritius to express their creativity through short-form filmmaking. Whether you want to tell a fictional story, reimagine Mauritius through Artificial Intelligence, or document our cultural heritage, there is a category for your vision.
Choose a category
One national platform
Three categories. Three approaches
Conventional Film — fiction-based or based on a true story, in 2 to 4 minutes.
Artificial Intelligence — reimagine the island in 90 to 180 seconds.
Documentary — explore the cultural heritage that shapes our Republic.
Your story deserves to be seenNational Short Film Competition 2026
Choose your category
What kind of filmmaker are you?
Each category sets its own themes, duration and AI rules. Pick the one that fits your vision.
Category B
Artificial Intelligence
Reimagine the island through AI. Three themes: Mauritius in the Past, Legends Reimagined, What If the Dodo Returns?
Submit your film
Category C
Documentary
Explore, document and showcase the cultural heritage that shapes our Republic.
Submit your filmThe themes
Choose a category, pick a theme
Each category sets its own themes. Switch between them below.
Mauritian Legends and Myths
A Day in the Republic of Mauritius
A Second Chance
Redemption • Forgiveness • Failure • Starting Again
Mauritius in the Past
Legends Reimagined
What If the Dodo Returns?
The Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Mauritius
Explore, document and showcase the cultural heritage that shapes our Republic.
National Short Film Competition 2026
Jury members
The people who will watch, weigh and choose this year's winning films.
Niven Pareemanen
Producer & Industry Executive
Niven Pareemanen is an active Mauritian film producer and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in film, television, and commercial production. In January 2026, he was elected President of the Filmmakers Association of Mauritius (FAM) to advocate for local content creators and expand the regional screen sector.
He is the Founder and Lead Producer at Nine Pictures Company Ltd, where he has produced over 200 commercial projects for major global brands, serviced international co-productions, and developed independent local cinema. His producer & executive credits include the independent feature Skeleton in the Closet (scheduled for mid 2027), the French co-production Ni Chaînes Ni Maîtres (released in September 2024), and the local movie The Blue Penny (available on Canal+).
Niven specializes in creative project development, international co-production strategies, film financing, and regional release systems, remaining deeply dedicated to promoting authentic Mauritian storytelling on both regional and global screens.
David Constantin
Film Director, Producer & Script Writer
David Constantin is a Mauritian scriptwriter, film director and producer. After studying at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Audiovisuel (ENSAV), he founded his production company, Caméléon Production, in 2002, which produces his own films and co-produces works by filmmakers from the Indian Ocean region. David’s films explore the profound changes taking place in our island societies as they grapple with an imported and imposed model of modernity.
Alongside other producers and directors from the Indian Ocean region, David is also actively involved in developing a regional film industry with an international reach and in training local talent.
He is the founder of the Association Porteurs d’Images and the Ile Courts International Short Film Festival. David also has another artistic pursuit: painting and printmaking.
Kevin Gutty
CEO Mauritius Film Development Corporation
Kevin Gutty is a film and media professional serving as CEO of the Mauritius Film Development Corporation since June 2025. From producing local television shows to directing music videos for Mauritian and international artists, he has shaped storytelling across screens.
With a deep background in media production, Kevin bridges creative vision and institutional leadership, driving Mauritius's film industry forward while delivering high-impact content for diverse audiences.
Alain Gordon-Gentil
Director General Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation
Alain GORDON-GENTIL, CSK, is a writer, journalist and producer of TV documentaries. He is the director of a production and publishing house which deals mainly with writers in French and Creole. He has worked as a journalist and editor-in-chief of an investigative magazine before dedicating himself to writing and broadcasting.
His published literary works include 15 books spanning over five decades. He has published four books in France which were published at Editions Julliard. His book « Devina » was given the award “Revélations 2009” at the Fôret des Livres Prix. He has also published political essays and biographies.
His most notable audiovosial works include a TV documentary on the salt march by Mahatma Gandhi, the theatrical piece “Marika est partie,” which was played in Mauritius, Paris and Metiz (France), and four television documentaries which tell the story of African, French, Indian and Chinese immigration to Mauritius. He travelled with his team to all the countries of origin of Mauritian immigrants to produce the documentaries entitled « Venus d’ailleurs, » which were aired in Mauritius, Australia and France.
He has produced 10 documentaries. In October 2013, he produced a 52-minute documentary entitled « Jacques Brel: Dernière Ligne droite aux Marquises » for European Television channels France 5, RTBF (Radio Télévision Belge Francophone) RTS (Radio Television Suisse and TNTV (Television du Pacifique).
Gordon-Gentil, CSK, served as the Advisor (Cultural Matters) to the Prime Minister of Mauritius from 2005 to 2014.
He is the recipient of the Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (CSK), which is a high civilian award granted in the Republic of Mauritius. In recognition to his published works, he was awarded the rank of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres) by the Ministry of Culture in France in November 2014.
He is also an honorary citizen and medalist of the city of Marseille in France, following the cultural exchanges he established between the city and Mauritius. He is the recipient of the Prix Nicolas Lambert, the most distinguished award given to a Mauritian journalist for his works.
Karan Sharma
Creative Producer / Actor
Karan Sharma has built a diverse career across acting, producing and directing, spanning feature films, television, short films, advertising, documentaries and immersive cinema.
His acting credits include the lead role in the feature film Dil Jo Bhi Kahey..., alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Annabelle Wallis, the Mauritian television series C'est La Vie, and the short film Tintoria.
As a producer, he has produced over 200 advertising films, working with leading brands including Google, Uber and Tanishq, and agencies such as Publicis, Ogilvy and Leo Burnett.
His work also includes international documentary projects filmed across India, Nepal and the Philippines, as well as four 4D flying-theatre films created and produced for immersive cinematic experiences.
Across these formats, his body of work reflects a career built around performance, production and visual storytelling across both conventional and emerging forms of cinema
Deepak Ramsurrun
Manager Content - Mauritius Telecom
Deepak Ramsurrun has over 20 years of experience across media, television and telecommunications. He began his career at MBC in television production, journalism and presentation, while also pursuing acting through theatre, television and film.
At Mauritius Telecom, he was part of the team that launched IPTV in Mauritius, contributing to content acquisition and partnerships. He currently serves as Manager, Content Licensing & Syndication, overseeing content partnerships, licensing and entertainment offerings across TV and digital platforms.
As an entrepreneur, he founded OTTv Mumbai events and organised B2B industry conferences in Mumbai covering media, digital video, esports and animation. He has also served as a jury member for Promax Asia, Promax Africa and the GEMA India Awards.
Rs. 400,000 in total prize money
Bring your story to the big screen
Select a category to see its prize breakdown.
1st prizeRs. 100,000
2nd prizeRs. 50,000
3rd prizeRs. 25,000
1st prizeRs. 75,000
2nd prizeRs. 25,000
3rd prizeRs. 10,000
1st prizeRs. 100,000
2nd prizeRs. 50,000
3rd prizeRs. 25,000
Supported by
Our Partners
State Bank of Mauritius Ltd
Mauritius Telecom Ltd
How to participate
From idea to film
01
Choose
Choose one category and one of its specified themes.
02
Create
Create your short film within the duration specified for your category.
03
Check
Make sure your film complies with the theme, duration and applicable AI rules.
04
Submit
Submit your film before the deadline.
Before you submit
The rules at a glance
Six things to confirm before your film is sent.
Who can participate?
The competition is open to the people of the Republic of Mauritius.
How many films can I submit?
Each applicant may submit one film only.
Duration?
Your film must comply with the duration specified for your selected category.
Theme?
Your film must comply with one of the specified themes for your selected category.
AI?
AI usage must comply with the applicable rules of the selected category. For Category A: maximum 25%, exclusively for visual effects. For Category C: maximum 25%.
Production Date
Must be an original production made after the contest launch date and not previously published online or submitted to another competition. Projects that do not meet these conditions will be disqualified.
Important dates
The road to the final cut
2026
Contest launch
National Short Film Competition 2026
↓
Creation period
Develop. Shoot. Edit. Create.
13 Nov
Submission deadline
13 November 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
TBA
Judging & results
Details to be announced
Your story deserves
to be seen.
Pick your category. Choose your theme. Make your film.
13 NOVEMBER 2026 • 4:00 P.M.
Submit your film