The Antakya International Film Festival (AFF) is a competitive international film festival and a key destination on the global festival circuit. It is recognized by leading cinema institutions as a qualifying festival across multiple film categories. AFF serves as an important meeting point for the international film and media industries in the Mediterranean region.

The mission of the festival is to provide a public platform in Antakya that enhances interest in cinema and supports independent film production. It also aims to position Antakya as a globally recognized center for filmmaking. The festival promotes artistic excellence, defends the creative freedom of artists against censorship, and seeks to ensure that all residents of Antakya can access and experience the power of independent cinema.

In 2025, the festival presented over 800 films from 45 countries, offering a rich and diverse program. AFF provides a comprehensive experience that has become a significant milestone in the careers of many filmmakers.

The festival is organized for and by independent filmmakers, with an organizing team bringing more than a decade of experience. The Antakya International Film Festival accepts submissions in the following categories:

Awards & Prizes

Jury Awards
The festival presents Jury Awards in the following categories:
• Best Narrative Feature
• Best Mediterranean Film Narrative Feature
• Best Narrative Medium-Length Film
• Best Documentary Feature
• Best Narrative Short
• Best Documentary Short
• Best Animation Short
• Best Experimental Short
• Best Student Short
If a film is shortlisted for a Jury Award, additional preview copies must be provided or authorized by the submitting party upon request by the Antakya Film Festival.
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Audience Awards
Narrative Feature Categories:
• Best Film – Festival Sculpture
• Best Director – Festival Sculpture
• Best Screenplay – Festival Sculpture
• Best Cinematography – Festival Sculpture
• Best Original Score – Festival Sculpture
• Best Actress – Festival Sculpture
• Best Actor – Festival Sculpture
• Best Editing – Festival Sculpture
• Best Art Direction – Festival Sculpture
• Jury Special Award – Festival Sculpture
• Audience Award (Best Film) – Festival Sculpture
• Greenpine Award – Festival Sculpture
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Documentary Feature
• Best Documentary Feature – Festival Sculpture
• Jury Special Award – Festival Sculpture
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Short Film Categories
• (Fiction, Experimental, Documentary, Animation, Student, Artificial Intelligence)
• Best Short Film – Festival Sculpture
• Jury Special Award – Festival Sculpture

Rules & Terms

Screening of Competition Films
• Films applying for the competition are submitted to the Festival Selection Committee for preliminary evaluation.
• Finalist films will be screened for the Grand Jury, Audience Jury, and film enthusiasts in Antakya theaters between October 2–8, 2026.
• All revenues generated from the screenings belong to the Antakya International Film Festival. The festival management may organize special screenings for promotional purposes.
• Only the legal right holder of the film may apply to the festival. If there are multiple right holders, the written consent of the other parties is required.
• The applicant is responsible for documenting that they hold all rights regarding the film's participation in the festival and that all necessary permissions have been obtained.

Submission Deadline
• The final deadline for submission to the competition is September 1, 2026. Submissions made after this date will not be accepted.
• Applicants must fill out the application form completely and submit it to the Festival Center with a signature.

Screening Schedule
• Films participating in the competition will be screened between October 2–8, 2026, as part of the festival program.
• By applying, the producer is deemed to have accepted these terms.

• Required Documents for Submission
• All materials and the signed application form must be sent to the e-mail address provided above.
• a. Film Credits/Fact Sheet b. Production Permit c. Film Synopsis (maximum 1200 characters – in Turkish and English) d. Director’s Biography and Filmography (maximum 1000 characters – in Turkish and English) e. Director’s Photo (JPG, 300 DPI) f. 10 Stills from the Film (JPG, 300 DPI) g. Film Poster (JPG, 300 DPI) h. List of Participated Festivals and Awards Won (if any – in Turkish and English) i. English Dialogue List (with timecodes) j. Turkish Dialogue List (required if the film is not in Turkish – with timecodes) k. Film Soundtrack l. Promotional Usage: In the absence of a suitable trailer, the festival management reserves the right to use up to a 3-minute excerpt from the film for promotional purposes.
Special Conditions
• The accuracy of the information provided in the application form is entirely the responsibility of the applicant. Any legal liability that may arise belongs to the signatory.
• Films participating in the competition may be screened in indoor or outdoor venues, either for a fee or free of charge, during the festival. All screening revenues belong to the festival management. The festival may organize special screenings for promotional purposes.
• The producers and teams of the films selected for the competition are invited to the festival on dates determined by the festival management; they shall participate in screenings, interviews, galas, award ceremonies, and press events.
• Producers of award-winning films are obliged to indicate the award they have won along with the festival logo in all promotional materials.
Formation and Operation of the Juries
Pre-Selection Committee (Selection Committee)
• The preliminary evaluation is conducted by the Festival Selection Committee.
• The films to be presented to the Grand Jury for the finals are determined by this committee.

22 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Barış Demirkaya

    İt ia a pleasure to compete as a Finalist in the Antakya Film Festival,one of the nationally prestigious Film festivals,and to be hosted in the best possible way for two days.

    January 2026
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  • Despina Charalampous

    Thank you to the 13th Antakya International Film Festival for honoring our film "Volume 7" with the Best Actress Award for Stela Fyrogeni. We sincerely thank the jury and festival team for their support and for creating a vibrant and inspiring festival. Wishing you continued success in the years to come.

    December 2025
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  • Jorge Morais

    It has been a true pleasure to discover a festival that not only supports emerging directors but also genuinely recognizes and values their work. The transparency in its organization and the excellent promotion of the event reflect a sincere commitment to cinema and its artistic community.
    We are deeply grateful to the Antakya International Film Festival for selecting and showcasing our animation In Half. Being part of this event has been an honor, and we truly appreciate the opportunity to share our work with such a passionate and dedicated audience.
    A highly recommended festival in every respect.

    December 2025
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  • Rahma RACHDI


    thanks Antakya for awarding HANDIBROKEN FANTOMS (lol) our mockumentary advocating for the inclusion of the people with disability on the cinema industry. We are grateful to you amazing communication and very smooth and well organization and we regret our inability to travel up to Antakya, due to your limited means for this year. I Wish to be able to visit oyir Turkish festival next year or later on !

    December 2025
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  • Ioulia Lymperopoulou

    My Team and I are very happy and proud that my "13 Strokes..." (short art experimental, 2025) reached the Finalist Status in 2025 in Antakya International Film Festival! Thank you!!! 💖🌞🙏

    December 2025
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