🎬 Celebrating 10 Years of SIFFA – Where Global Cinema Meets Diplomacy

Since 2016, SIFFA has brought together leading voices in international cinema and business, hosting events and SIFFA Awards Meetings that unite creators, visionaries, and advocates of cultural dialogue.

Each year, we present to UK audiences films they would not be able to see anywhere else—unique, thought-provoking works from around the globe.

✨ SIFFA is more than a festival — it is a Diplomatic Film Festival with a mission:
To build cultural bridges across continents, tell the untold stories of diverse nations, and celebrate the universal language of visual storytelling.

We support both British and international filmmakers, helping them gain visibility within the global film industry and creating opportunities for co-production and artistic collaboration.

🎥 Cinema has the power to transform perspectives, bring people together across cultures, and spark empathy in ways few other art forms can. SIFFA stands for harmony, understanding, and peace — values we hold especially dear in these challenging times.

📚 In addition to film screenings, our programme includes educational sessions, masterclasses, and musical performances that enrich the cultural exchange at the heart of the festival.

🌍 Join us from November 20–27, 2025 in London, and be part of this landmark 15th edition as we celebrate 10 years of SIFFA — 10 years of open minds and hearts of gold, shining on the silver screen.

Awards & Prizes

🏆🏆🏆 SIFFA Awards – Honouring Excellence in Global Cinema🏆🏆🏆

Each year, SIFFA presents a range of prestigious awards across multiple categories. Our international jury recognises outstanding talent, originality, and the power of cinematic storytelling.

🏆 Main Awards Include:

Best Feature Film (awarded across 13 classical categories)
– Best Director
– Best Actor / Actress
– Best Cinematography
– Best Screenplay
– Best Editing
– Best Sound
– Best Score
– Best Production Design
– Best Debut Feature
– Best Ensemble Cast
– Best Social Impact
– Best International Feature
– Special Jury Prize
Best Short Film
Best Documentary
🌟 Presidential Award
Awarded to the film that best embodies the spirit and vision of SIFFA – promoting cultural dialogue, peace, and human connection through cinema.

🎬 Additional honorary mentions and special recognition awards may also be presented at the jury’s discretion.

Rules & Terms

📜 SIFFA Festival Regulations
The International Film Festival SIFFA (hereinafter referred to as "the Festival") is an international competitive event focused on feature, documentary, and short films.

🎯 Festival Goals and Objectives:
Promote outstanding films internationally
Support partnership-building among British and Western European filmmakers
Provide opportunities for emerging filmmakers to participate in international festivals
Foster artistic cooperation and exchange among young professionals in the film industry
Support talented young filmmakers as well as veterans of the Russian film industry
The SIFFA Management is the highest authority responsible for organising and overseeing the Festival.

🎬 Festival Programme Includes:
Main Competition
Documentary Competition
Short Film Competition
Out-of-Competition Section
Retrospectives
International Film Section
Masterclasses, Creative Evenings, Exhibitions, and Concerts
🏆 Competition Rules:
Selection decisions are made by the official Selection Committee.
Results of the selection will be published on FilmFreeway no later than the official press conference date of the Festival.
The screening schedule is determined by SIFFA Management.
Each film will be screened no more than twice during the Festival (including press screenings).
Competition films must be completed after November of the previous year.
World and international premieres are given preference.
Films must be submitted online, in DCP format only.
💬 Language & Subtitles:
Films must be in their original language.
If the original language is not English, English subtitles are required.
⏰ Submission Deadline:
All selected films must be submitted to SIFFA Management no later than October 15, 2025.

📦 Required Materials (for selected films):
Full dialogue list in original language and English
English subtitle cue sheet
Synopsis, press kit, and marketing materials
Trailer and stills from the film
Materials for the Festival catalogue, including:
• Information about the creators
• Director’s photo
• Film slides
• Poster (if available)
⚠️ Important Notice:
By submitting your film, you agree that it may be publicly screened during the Festival. SIFFA Management is not responsible for intellectual property protection.
Failure to meet any of the requirements or deadlines may result in disqualification from the Festival programme.
6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Elaheh Godarzi

    The festival is amazing, thank you so much dear Richard and Luba and Festival's Team.

    December 2024
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  • Majid Asadi

    It was one of the best and most purposeful festivals I have ever participated in, and I would like to thank all the organizers and judges.

    December 2024
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  • Julia Verdin

    We were thrilled to have "Maya" selected for inclusion in the Independent Film Festival SIFFA. Although we were unable to attend the event in person, the experience of having our film showcased among such a great lineup was immensely gratifying. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the festival organizers for recognizing the value of our film and for creating an environment that fosters artistic expression and collaboration. We look forward to the opportunity to participate in future editions of this remarkable festival.

    May 2024
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  • Joel Van der Molen

    It was a unique experience to be a part of SIFFA, a celebration of all cultures and bringing awareness of filmmakers to a much wider audience. The venue choices for screening were suburb. Our film was one of many playing to a full house. It was also a great way to meet and share ideas with other filmmakers. I look forward to submitting my next project. Thank you Team SIFFA.

    December 2023
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  • Faranak Foroutan

    I am so happy that our film was selected in the Festival SIFFA.

    December 2023
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