Cayman National Cultural Foundation has put out a call for submissions for ‘Cayfest on Film 2026’ under the theme of ‘Global Threads.’
Filmmakers are invited to celebrate the interwoven stories of the Cayman Islands and the world, said the Cayman National Cultural Foundation in a press release.
As the cinematic component of Cayfest, the Cayman Islands National Festival of the Arts, ‘Cayfest on Film’ celebrates the power of storytelling through the Caymanian lens.
From thought-provoking documentaries to imaginative shorts, this showcase shines a spotlight on the rich creativity and global connections that define Cayman’s evolving cultural identity, said the release.
“We continue to see a growing demand for film acknowledgment, infrastructure, and industry support,” said Judy Singh Hurlston member of the ‘Cayfest on Film’ Curatorial Panel, which also includes Rita Estevanovich and Brittany Kelly.
Hurlston added, “Our goal is to amplify Caymanian and Caribbean voices while connecting them to a global audience, to make sure the world sees our stories and the unique perspectives we bring to the screen.”
“Last year’s Cayfest on Film surpassed expectations, from packed screenings to an incredible range of submissions that reached far beyond our shores,” said Cassandra Shea, head of theatre & events at the Cayman National Cultural Foundation.
“The response affirmed what we already know: Cayman’s film community is bold, imaginative, and ready to be seen. With Global Threads, we’re inviting even more voices to weave their stories into this growing creative industry,” Shea added.
Cayfest on Film 2026 is a follow-up to the highly successful 2025 edition, titled Splice, which showcased over 50 films exploring the thematic concepts of liminal (the transitional space between two states) and katharsis, (emotional purification through art), said the release.
While filmmakers can submit work under any theme, this year’s Cayfest theme invites filmmakers and visual storytellers to explore how culture, memory, and imagination intertwine across borders.
The deadline for submissions is 4 Jan. 2026. Selection notification will be at the end of January and festival screenings will take place in March 2026.
Independent filmmakers, students, established directors, documentarians and artists with ties to the Cayman Islands are eligible to apply.
Submission Requirements:
- Film length: short and feature films up to 120 minutes
- Synopsis, director’s statement and short bio
- Preview link (Vimeo, YouTube, or similar)
A maximum of two entries can be submitted to cayfestonfilm.ky. Questions can be directed to [email protected].
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