Dalmatia Film Festival

Dalmatia Film Festival (DFF) is an international short film festival based in Croatia, celebrating bold, diverse and contemporary cinema across fiction, documentary, animation and experimental formats. Now entering its 11th consecutive year, DFF has established itself as a respected platform for both emerging and established filmmakers from around the world.

Each year, the festival presents a carefully curated selection of approximately 50 short films, chosen from hundreds of international submissions. Screenings and accompanying programs take place in multiple Croatian locations, including Split, Sutivan and Kaštel Lukšić, combining a strong local audience with an international outlook.

DFF is dedicated to showcasing high-quality storytelling, original artistic voices and innovative cinematic approaches, with particular attention given to films that explore contemporary themes and push creative boundaries.

PROGRAMMING & CATEGORIES

The festival accepts short films in the following categories:
- Short Fiction
- Documentary
- Animated
- Experimental
- Student Films

Student films are fully eligible for awards in all main categories and also compete for a special award for Best Student Film, reflecting the festival’s ongoing commitment to supporting young and emerging filmmakers.

There is no premiere requirement, although world, international and Croatian premieres are given priority in the selection process. Films that have not previously screened in Croatia are especially welcome.

SUBMISSIONS & REQUIREMENTS

- Films must be completed after January 1, 2024
- Maximum runtime: 30 minutes
- Films not in English must include English subtitles
- Submissions are accepted exclusively via FilmFreeway

As part of its commitment to supporting local production, submissions are free of charge for Croatian filmmakers and films produced in Croatia.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

DFF presents awards in all main categories, including:
- Best Short Fiction Film
- Best Documentary Film
- Best Animated Film
- Best Experimental Film
- Best Student Film

Selected films receive official festival laurels, and award winners are presented with custom-designed festival plaques. The festival also regularly highlights filmmakers through Q&As, video introductions and educational events.

INDUSTRY & EDUCATION

In addition to film screenings, Dalmatia Film Festival hosts workshops, talks and educational programs led by international film professionals. These activities aim to foster dialogue, professional development and creative exchange between filmmakers, students and audiences.

FESTIVAL LOCATIONS

Dalmatia Film Festival takes place across several carefully selected locations in Croatia, combining summer open-air screenings with an urban cinema setting. The first part of the festival is held during July and August in the coastal towns of Sutivan, Kaštela and Solin, featuring outdoor screenings in open-air auditoriums and a relaxed summertime atmosphere by the sea, with engaged local audiences and visiting guests.

The final part of the festival takes place in November in the city of Split, bringing together filmmakers, students and film enthusiasts for indoor screenings and accompanying programs in a vibrant urban environment.

Tentative schedule by location:
July 2026 – Sutivan
August 2026 – Kaštela
August 2026 – Solin
November 2026 – Split

Exact dates for each location will be announced in due course.

WHY SUBMIT TO DFF?

- 10+ years of continuous international programming
- Strong curatorial focus and professional selection process
- Multiple festival locations and engaged audiences
- Dedicated support for student and emerging filmmakers
- Transparent communication and filmmaker-friendly approach

Dalmatia Film Festival values artistic integrity, diversity and collaboration, and strives to create a welcoming and professional environment for filmmakers from all backgrounds.