The Fujifilm Short Film Festival returns for 2026! Presented by Fujifilm Middle East in collaboration with Cinema Akil and Gulf Photo Plus, the festival comes back to Dubai on December 12 – 13, spotlighting emerging filmmakers from across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.

This year, filmmakers are invited to submit work in four categories:

• Narrative Shorts
• Documentary Shorts
• Student Shorts
• Experimental Shorts

Selected films will be screened at Cinema Akil during the festival, with award-winning works continuing on to arthouse cinema screenings across the region.

Awards & Prizes

Category Prizes (x4):

Fujifilm X-series camera (model to be confirmed), XF16–55mm (Mk II) lens, USD $1,000 cash

Best Film:
USD $2000 cash prize

Audience Award:
USD $1000 cash prize

Rules & Terms

- Length: up to 30 minutes

- Completed between Jun 30 2024 - May 30, 2026
- Country of production: From approved list (see below)
- Final version must pass UAE NMC censorship (2 Weeks on average)
- No nudity, excessive violence, or overt political messaging
- Non-exclusive; no premiere status required

- Open to films produced within these countries (countries actively served by Fujifilm Middle East, where we are currently able to award prizes):

Middle East:

Bahrain
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Lebanon
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Syria
United Arab Emirates
Yemen

Central Asia:

Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan
Pakistan
Georgia

Africa:

Algeria
Cameroon
Côte d'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of Congo
Egypt
Ghana
Kenya
Morocco
Uganda
Nigeria
Senegal
Tanzania
Tunisia

By submitting your film you also agree to receive communications from Fujifilm about the festival and related information, either through filmfreeway or direct from Fujifilm. You can opt-out at any time.
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  • Michael Martínez

    Incredible festival and staff, everyone was very attentive. Thank you for selecting my film Lost Fragments of a Seizure. I hope to see you again soon <3

    January 2026
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