Alternativa, the global impact-driven film initiative founded by inDrive, has announced that the 3rd Alternativa Film Festival (AFF) will take place in Medellín, Colombia, from 21st to 30th April 2026. The nomadic festival, focused on cinema that drives social change, previously took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan (2023) and Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2024).
The 2026 edition will spotlight powerful storytelling from underrepresented regions worldwide, with a particularly strong presence from Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian region.
Record-Breaking Submissions Signal Growing Asian Influence
The festival’s call for entries closed on October 10 with a record-breaking 1,831 submissions from 55 countries. Among these, 319 came from 33 Asian nations, with Malaysia emerging as one of the top five Asian contributors alongside India, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia—a milestone that underscores the country’s growing footprint in socially conscious filmmaking.
“We are thrilled to see that, for the third year in a row, the Alternativa Film Festival continues to attract a remarkable number of submissions from Asia,” said Liza Surganova, Head of Alternativa. “This shows that the region—including vibrant film communities in Malaysia—remains a driving force of powerful, impact-driven storytelling.”
“The mission of our festival is to spotlight and support talented filmmakers from the Global South who are committed to bringing positive change to society. We hope that the third edition of AFF will open new pathways for Malaysian and Southeast Asian creators to reach global audiences and collaborate with peers from Latin America.”
Four Award Categories, US$20,000 Prizes
The festival celebrates diversity in cinema through four feature-length award categories—Spotlight, Future Voice, Alter, and Nativa—open to filmmakers from Asia, including Malaysia. Each category winner receives US$20,000, offering Malaysian filmmakers a significant opportunity to compete on an international stage.
This year’s submissions reflect the creative diversity defining contemporary Asian cinema: 368 documentaries and hybrid works alongside 309 fiction and animation projects.
Free Access & Industry Networking Opportunities
All AFF 2026 events will be free of charge, including screenings, panel discussions, and Industry Days—a professional networking program connecting filmmakers, producers, and social impact leaders. Directors whose films are selected for competition will have their travel and accommodation covered, providing Malaysian participants unique opportunities for global exposure and creative exchange.
From Transportation to Cultural Bridge-Building
Founded by Arsen Tomsky, CEO and founder of inDrive, Alternativa demonstrates how innovation extends beyond transportation into the creative industries. Through initiatives like AFF, inDrive aims to build cultural bridges between Asia and Latin America, redefining what it means to be a global platform that not only moves people but also inspires and empowers entire industries.
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