About the Film Festival
In its 14th edition MINA, the Mobile Innovation Network and Association, will present a public screening of smartphone, mobile and pocket films and internationally via Urban Screen TV. MINA is the longest-running film festival dedicated to celebrating mobile and smartphone film-making internationally. MINA creates connections between filmmakers, communities and the creative industries.
The #MINA2025 International Mobile Innovation Screening will showcase short films (8 min maximum duration) produced on and with smartphones, mobile and pocket cameras. In the last eleven years, MINA featured new developments in narrative and non-narrative explorations, in documentary, experimental and abstract filmmaking.
In 2017 MINA successfully introduced drone filmmaking and in 2018 Mobile Cinematic VR productions as part of the screening program. Mobile AR, mobile VR and drone project videos can include project showcases and documentation (maximum duration 4min). In 2022 we introduced a Vertical Video category in collaboration with Vertifilms and this year MINA will commission smartphone films relating to the theme of mobile storytelling and the Australian environment.
In 2025 MINA will present
- an open call for mobile, smartphone and pocket films - New Voices: Next Gen smartphone filmmakers - a category for young and emerging filmmakers (including students)
- Mobile Cinematic VR & 360° Video Production: The Future is Now
- a category for Cinematic VR and 360° Video Production - Innovation category: Vertical Videos & Films, MoJo, Mobile Storytelling, micro-movies & micro-formats
- a category for live streaming, mobile social media apps, drones and other pocket cameras (such as GoPro) & mobile devices
-#EcoSmartphoneFilms, focus on Ecology
MINA Screening Partners: Adobe Urban Screen TV FilmConvert Luma Touch FiLMiC Pro Moondog Labs Vertifilms SightVault 13th International Mobile Innovation Screening & Smartphone Film Festival Smartphones provide opportunities to see the world in a new perspective and change the viewpoints of representation. With the rise of MoJo (mobile journalism) and transmedia storytelling filmmakers, artists, activists and designers establish new forms of connectivity and sociability. Collaborative and co-creative film-making practices empower communities around the world to express themselves. With the constant innovation of camera technology and image/video processing applications, mobile and smartphones aesthetics are shaping new experiences and enable storytellers to cover new ground. In order to make the program accessible in an uncertain time for travelling the screening reel will also be streamed via SoundSurf and UTV.
Sfilmmaker is our exclusive platform for cooperation in China, and we look forward to your good film.
Authorization Letter
Subject ：Unlimited
Video Format ：AVI HDV MPEG4 MOV MPEG
Submitted short film, documentaries, experimental films and videos shall be filmed with a mobile, smartphone or pocket cameras. Filmmakers agree for videos to be featured in MINA promotional material, online & in print, in the MINA show reel and featured MINA screenings and exhibitions.
Projects can be edited on smartphones, mobile devices or desktop computers.
Filmmakers have to submit a short synopsis (200-250 words), a short biographical note (100-150 word), Twitter and/or Facebook name.
In order to make the program accessible in an uncertain time for travelling the screening reel will also be streamed via SoundSurf (or an alternative platform).
Title of Film, Name of Filmmaker, duration, country of production, name of smartphone/tablet shall be provided with all submissions.
Please note that by submitting your smartphone film to MINA, you accept and agree that you grant MINA a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive right and license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, screen, broadcast, and distribute the smartphone film as part of the annual MINA screening program, online screenings and future MINA screenings without any compensation to the submitter. We are in the process of exploring minting all films selected for the online screening program as a NFT. Each filmmaker will receive one NFT. All copyrighted material(s) used in the submission must be cleared by the submitter before submission. Any issue(s) that may arise due to infringement of copyrights is the submitter’s sole responsibility. MINA, sponsors and/or supporters and its members are not responsible for any infringement of copyrights.
Categories and fees
Mobile, Smartphone and Pocket Film
Video length ：1 - 8
The MINA XIII International Mobile Innovation Screening will showcase short films (8 min maximum duration) produced on and with smartphones, mobile and pocket cameras. Videos can include narrative, non-narrative explorations, experimental and abstract film-making. Smartphones provide opportunities to see the world in a new perspective and change the viewpoints of representation. With the rise of MoJo (mobile journalism) and trans-media storytelling filmmakers, artists, activists and designers establish new forms of connectivity and sociability. Collaborative and co-creative film-making practices empower communities around the world to express themselves. With the constant innovation of camera technology and image/video processing applications, mobile and smartphones aesthetics are shaping new experiences and enable storytellers to cover new ground.
New Voices : Next Gen smartphone filmmakers
Video length ：1 - 10
A category for young and emerging filmmakers (including students). MINA’s new voices program will be feature work by emerging filmmakers, artists and activists. We are keen to explore fresh and exciting perspectives in, but not limited to: - Experimental Screen Productions - Mobile Social Media - Progressive Storytelling - Socially engaged and Community based Narratives We celebrate diversity and invite youth, students and new filmmakers to challenge the status quo in image making and storytelling.
Mobile Cinematic VR & 360° Video Production: The Future is Now
Video length ：1 - 10
a category for Cinematic VR and 360° Video Productions
Creative category:Vertical Video, Mobile AI, Mobile AR, Mobile XR, Micro-movies & Micro-formats (such as TikTok)
Video length ：1 - 10
A category for Vertical Videos & Mobile Films, Mobile AI, Mobile AR, Mobile XR, MoJo, Mobile Storytelling, live streaming, mobile social media apps, micro-movies & micro-formats (such as TikTok videos) and other pocket cameras (such as GoPros) & mobile devices. Submissions must be filmed on a mobile, smartphone or pocket camera and edited on a mobile device, pad or smartphone.
#EcoSmartphoneFilms
Video length ：1 - 15
#EcoSmartphoneFilms is a new special program within MINA with a selection of the best and smartest environmentally themed mobile films. #ESF is looking for mobile filmmakers interested to share their stories and creative solutions for all kinds of environmental issues in the form of eco-centered short documentaries, narrative movies, experimental or animation short films, all shot on mobile. Our mission is to inspire critical understanding and creative solutions through the power of mobile film, to raise awareness about environmental topics and to promote mobile film production about environmental protection and ecology in all its aspects. We are looking for short mobile films that show the planet’s beauty as well as the local, regional and global environmental challenges we are facing; films that highlight inspirational stories about people working to protect the environment as well as stories of nature taking revenge in its own way, or surviving against all odds.
Smart communication & branding: Storytelling in Enterprise
Video length ：2 - 8
A new category presented by the Sino-German Institute of Design and Communication spotlighting innovative and smart stories created with smartphones or other pocket cameras and mobile devices. Open to filmmakers, designers, marketers, and storytellers, this category celebrates short digital stories (up to 8 minutes) that utilise mobile technology to craft compelling narratives around brand communication and philosophies, promoting new services or products. We seek entries that blend creativity with visual communication, branding ingenuity, showcasing mobile storytelling that inspires, informs, and engages audiences in new ways. Through this category, we aim to explore the intersection of creativity and commerce, promoting stories that engage on a personal level and redefine brand communication.
Live Event
