Alternativa Film Festival 2026 Shortlist Announced with Strong Indian Representation
The Alternativa Film Festival, a global impact-driven cinematic initiative founded by inDrive, has officially unveiled its shortlist and jury leadership for its third edition. Scheduled to take place in Medellin, Colombia from April 21 to 30, 2026, the festival continues to amplify voices from the Global South, with India making a notable mark in this year's selections.
Indian Films Shine in Global South Line-Up
India has secured a prominent position in the festival's Official Features Competition with the film 'Cactus Pears' (Sabar Bonda), directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade. This selection underscores the growing international recognition of Indian independent cinema that tackles nuanced social themes with authenticity and depth.
Further bolstering India's presence, acclaimed filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan's 'Homebound' has been chosen for the newly introduced Impact Hits category, an out-of-competition initiative designed to spotlight compelling narratives beyond the main competition. This dual representation highlights the diversity and impact of contemporary Indian storytelling on the global stage.
Jury Leadership and Festival Structure
Internationally renowned Colombian actor, producer, and activist Natalia Reyes, best known for her role in Terminator: Dark Fate, will serve as President of the Features Jury. Reyes brings a wealth of global cinematic experience and a steadfast commitment to socially relevant storytelling, aligning perfectly with Alternativa's mission.
The 2026 edition will showcase films from Latin America and Asia across several key segments:
- Official Competition – Featuring both feature-length and short films.
- Impact Hits – A new category highlighting powerful narratives outside the main competition.
- Industry Days – A professional platform for filmmakers, producers, and social impact leaders to connect and collaborate.
The festival programme includes screenings, public discussions, and networking forums, all aimed at bridging storytelling with real-world social impact. Notably, all screenings will be free of charge, reinforcing the festival's commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.
Expanding Scale and Global Participation
The 2026 edition marks a significant milestone in the festival's growth and diversity:
- 1,831 submissions were received from around the world.
- 30 films have been shortlisted, comprising 15 feature-length and 15 short films.
- Representation spans Latin America and Asia, with films in 21 languages.
- The prize fund has been expanded to USD 120,000, including a new award category dedicated to Latin American cinema.
Leadership Perspectives on the Festival's Mission
Liza Surganova, Head of Alternativa, expressed enthusiasm about the selections: 'Natalia Reyes is a trailblazing creative who embodies the values of Alternativa through her vital contributions to Colombian cinema. We are thrilled to welcome her as Features Jury President and to share these incredible shortlisted films from talented Global South filmmakers. Each film deserves a global platform for its artistic excellence and potential to transform society.'
Natalia Reyes added: 'It's an honour to serve as Features Jury President for Alternativa. I admire the festival's work in amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering cross-cultural collaboration. This year's Feature Competition showcases exciting new voices from Latin America and Asia, and I'm inspired to be part of stories that drive meaningful change.'
inDrive's Broader Social Impact Vision
Alternativa is part of inDrive's broader commitment to challenging inequality and enabling positive social change beyond its core mobility services. By supporting filmmakers and creative voices, the initiative promotes cultural representation, dialogue, and community empowerment. With operations in 48 countries and 1,065 cities, inDrive continues to invest in arts, education, gender equality, and social development, aligning business growth with long-term societal impact.
About Alternativa: Launched in 2023 by inDrive, Alternativa is an international non-profit project that supports filmmakers from the Global South whose work aims to bring positive change. Its mission is to amplify the visibility of impact-driven talents and help their films reach diverse audiences, bridging regional divides and empowering communities.
About inDrive: inDrive is a global mobility and urban services platform, with over 400 million app downloads. It offers ride-hailing, intercity transportation, delivery, and financial services. Driven by a mission to challenge injustice, inDrive aims to positively impact one billion people by 2030 through its core business and community empowerment programs in education, sports, arts, and sciences.
