Film Festival: “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online
In Celebration of the 170.th Anniversary of Nikola Tesla’s Birth
To mark the 170.th anniversary of the birth of Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American scientist of global importance, the International Short Documentary and Video Festival “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online will be held.
The festival is dedicated to Tesla’s People and the Peoples of the World, to Tesla’s life, work, and legacy, as well as to the Future with Tesla — technology and innovation in multiple categories.
It provides a space for short film and video creators to present their works and connect with audiences across the globe.
Festival Format
The festival is devoted to short author films and video works across all forms and genres of the seventh art.
In addition to the best short films and videos, special attention will be given to innovative and original creations.
“TESLA CINEMA FEST” will be held in January 2026, featuring a seven-day online program on
www.teslacinemafest.com
from January 5 to January 14, 2026.
The awarded films will be screened, and the award ceremony will take place on
January 10, 2026, at the New Yorker Hotel, New York City,
followed by screenings in Tesla Clubs worldwide.
The festival combines online screenings, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions with the goal of reaching and inspiring a global audience.
Film and Video Submissions
Submissions are open via the festival’s website: www.teslacinemafest.com
from October 15 to November 30, 2025.
Participants will receive confirmation and a registration number by December 15, 2025.
Films will be screened January 5–14, 2026, on the festival’s platform.
Films must not exceed 30 minutes in length and may be in Serbian, English, French, Spanish, or Italian, preferably with English subtitles.
Each entry must include:
a trailer (up to 2 minutes)
a short synopsis (up to 450 characters)
a short biography and a video interview with the author (up to 2 minutes).
Film and Video Categories – Tesla Cinema Fest 2026
- Tesla’s People and the Peoples of the World
Films and videos exploring nations, cultures, and Tesla’s global influence.
They examine how different peoples perceive and are inspired by Tesla.
Description:
This category explores how communities around the world celebrate and draw inspiration from Nikola Tesla. Films and videos may portray local traditions, culture, education, and communities that preserve Tesla’s legacy, offering a unique perspective on his universal influence.
Example topics: cultural events, educational programs, personal stories inspired by Tesla.
- Nikola Tesla and His Work
Documentary films and videos dedicated to Tesla’s life and inventions.
Description:
This category focuses on Tesla’s biography and scientific contributions. Works may explore his research, inventions, eccentric personality, and his profound influence on modern technology.
Example topics: dramatizations of Tesla’s life, archival materials, visualizations of his inventions, interactive documentary formats.
- The Future with Nikola Tesla
Futuristic and innovative films and videos exploring technology and visions of the future inspired by Tesla’s ideas.
Description:
This category presents visions of the future inspired by Tesla’s creativity and innovation. Through artistic, conceptual, and futuristic formats, authors explore technology, science, energy, sustainability, and possible worlds Tesla himself might have imagined.
Example topics: futuristic technology, energy independence, robotics, and AI inspired by Tesla.
- Technology and Innovation
Focus on contemporary technologies and scientific projects worldwide.
Description:
This category brings together films and videos documenting modern technologies, experimental projects, and global scientific achievements. The focus is on practical research, innovation, and inspiration through technological progress.
Example topics: innovations in energy, medicine, education, film production, digital creativity, and STEM fields.
Submission Conditions
Films completed by December 15, 2025 are eligible.
Works previously screened or published online may be accepted if they have been significantly re-edited and are no longer publicly available in their original form.
Awards – Tesla Cinema Fest 2026
Main Awards: TESLA SPIRIT AWARD
All films and videos in competitive categories are automatically considered for awards.
Awards may include trophies, certificates, digital certificates, and badges, along with potential monetary prizes or scholarships (subject to sponsor agreements).
The Audience and Critics’ Choice Awards will be determined through online voting via the festival’s streaming platforms
(Dailymotion / PeerTube / Vimeo) and other media channels.
Organizers
The festival is organized by the Tesla Science Foundation (USA) and STV Info Media (Serbia),
in partnership with the video portal www.SerbiaWorld.info and the global network of Tesla Clubs.
The Tesla Science Foundation, headquartered in Philadelphia, is the world’s most active organization devoted to preserving and promoting Nikola Tesla’s legacy.
Through conferences, exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events, the Foundation’s mission is simple yet powerful:
To connect people through Tesla’s legacy and inspire new generations to dream, create, and believe in a brighter future.
Why Participate?
All participant films and videos will be featured on www.teslacinemafest.com
They will also appear on: www.nikolatesla.org.rs and www.serbiaworld.info
Selected and awarded works will gain opportunities for inclusion in international documentary film and video festivals.
Have your film screened and awarded in New York City Screenings in over 100 Tesla Clubs worldwide, across five continents Inclusion in educational programs for children and youth Exposure on international multimedia platforms and festivals Promotion through global media, social networks, and TV interviews Connect with a community of innovators, artists, filmmakers, and video creators
Important Note
To participate, each author must sign the Film Submission Agreement when submitting their work via the festival’s website: www.teslacinemafest.com
Contact
Information: info@teslacinemafest.com Submissions: office@teslacinemafest.com
Website: www.teslacinemafest.com Tesla Science Foundation: www.nikolatesla.org.rs Video Portal: www.serbiaworld.info
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Accepted filmmakers must provide their film/video by November 30, 2025, in the following format for screening at the Film Festival “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online:
- Video format: h.264 (.mp4)
- Resolution: HD, 2K, or 4K
All films/videos presented at the festival must include an .srt subtitle file. If the primary language is not English, an open-caption version with English subtitles is required for screening.
Filmmakers are responsible for all shipping and insurance costs. A DCP format is not mandatory, but in some cases, we may request a DCP for screening.
Submission Fee: USD $85
– Payment is due upon receipt of confirmation of your film/video submission and after sending a copy of your film/video for the Film Festival “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online.
ADDITIONAL TERMS – AGREEMENT – IMPORTANT
By submitting your documentary film/video, you agree to the following statements:
- I am the current copyright holder of this work (documentary film/video).
- In the event of a change in ownership or rights to my film/video, this agreement for screening at the Film Festival “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online – 2026 will remain valid and binding if the film/video is accepted.
- I own or control the copyright and am authorized to submit this documentary film/video to the Film Festival “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online.
- To the best of my knowledge, all statements in this document are true. This documentary does not contain material that could lead to lawsuits for tort, royalties, breach of contract, or any other copyright-related claims.
If my documentary is selected for screening at the Film Festival “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online (website: www.teslacinemafest.com), I grant the right to screen this film/video in New York, at the New Yorker Hotel, from January 5–14, 2026.
I understand and agree that, if selected, the submitted material may be used for promotional purposes of the Festival. I grant Film Festival “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online and its partners the right to use up to two minutes of footage, photos, titles, and information from my film/video for promotional purposes.
I fully agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Film Festival “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online and its partners from:
- a) Any damage or loss of film/video copies or video cassettes in transit or while in the possession of the festival.
b) Any claims arising in connection with this documentary film/video.
If a claim arises regarding this film/video, I will bear all defense costs incurred by the Film Festival “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online and pay any awarded damages. I also agree to reimburse all legal fees incurred by the festival in defending such claims.
I understand that the festival reserves the right to place my film/video in the appropriate competition category.
By submitting my film/video, I confirm that I have read, understood, and agreed to all terms and conditions of submission and participation.
If the Film Festival “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online is canceled or postponed due to force majeure, natural disasters, or any reason beyond our control, submission fees are non-refundable.
I also understand and agree with the above additional submission conditions.