🎬 SIFFA 2026 - The 16th So Independent International Film Festival
Founded in 2016, So Independent International Film Festival (SIFFA) proudly enters its 16th edition in 2026, marking more than a decade of sustained international cultural dialogue through cinema.

Over the years, SIFFA has brought together leading voices in global cinema, culture, and creative industries, hosting screenings, professional meetings, and SIFFA Awards gatherings that unite filmmakers, visionaries, and advocates of meaningful cross-cultural exchange.

Each year, SIFFA presents UK audiences with films they would not be able to see anywhere else - bold, distinctive, and thought-provoking works from around the world.

✨ SIFFA is more than a film festival.
It is a Diplomatic Film Festival with a clear cultural mission:
to build bridges between nations, amplify underrepresented voices, and celebrate cinema as a universal language beyond borders.

Each SIFFA selection is the result of a careful curatorial process, led by an international jury of filmmakers, industry professionals, and cultural figures. This approach ensures not only artistic excellence, but also cultural depth, integrity, and relevance — values that lie at the heart of the festival.

At SIFFA, we welcome diverse perspectives and courageous storytelling that explore social, cultural, and human values. At the same time, the festival maintains a strictly apolitical profile. We do not promote or endorse the official position of any government or state. Our sole commitment is to cinema as an art form and to its unique ability to foster dialogue, empathy, and understanding.

For this reason, films presented primarily as political statements or activist declarations do not fall within the festival’s curatorial focus. SIFFA exists to unite rather than divide, highlighting artistic voices without alignment to any political agenda.

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

✨ We are proud that through SIFFA’s curated digital platforms, the festival has reached more than 2 million viewers worldwide.
This global digital presence extends SIFFA’s cultural impact far beyond physical screenings, allowing meaningful independent cinema to resonate across continents and connect filmmakers with diverse international audiences.

🎥 Cinema has the power to transform perspectives and bring people together across cultures.
In an increasingly complex world, SIFFA stands for harmony, understanding, and peace - values that remain central to the festival’s vision.
đź“š Alongside film screenings, the 16th edition of SIFFA will feature an expanded programme of educational events, masterclasses, professional discussions, and musical performances - enriching the cultural exchange at the heart of the festival.
🌍 The 16th SIFFA reflects not only continuity, but a living legacy - built through years of dialogue, trust, collaboration, and shared cultural experience.
It opens a new chapter while remaining faithful to its founding values.
SIFFA is not about trends or headlines — it is about people, stories, and the human capacity to listen, see, and understand one another.
📲 Communication & Festival Engagement
As part of SIFFA’s commitment to open, transparent, and ongoing communication, participants are kindly encouraged to follow the official SIFFA Instagram account:
👉 https://www.instagram.com/siffaukindependent
Our Instagram platform serves as one of SIFFA’s key communication channels, where we share festival updates, programme highlights, screening information, industry opportunities, and important announcements before, during, and after the festival.
This is not viewed as a promotional obligation, but as an additional opportunity for meaningful engagement, visibility, and dialogue within the international SIFFA community.

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 transformative power of cinematic storytelling.
🏆 Main Awards Include:
Best Feature Film (awarded across 12 classical categories):
– Best Director
– Best Actor / Actress
– Best Cinematography
– Best Screenplay
– Best Editing
– Best Sound
– Best Score
– Best Production Design
– Best Ensemble Cast
– Best Social Impact
– Best International Feature
– Special Jury Prize
Best Short Film
Best Documentary
🌟 Presidential Award
Presented to the film that best embodies the spirit and vision of SIFFA – promoting cultural dialogue, peace, and human connection through cinema.
🎖 Special Named Awards
The Mohy Kandour Award – Best Debut Feature
Honouring outstanding first-time filmmakers whose work reflects courage, originality, and the promise of new voices in global cinema.
The Vera Glagoleva Award -
Celebrating the unique voice of women in film and their artistic contribution to the global cinematic landscape.
🎬 Additional honorary mentions and special recognition awards may also be presented at the jury’s discretion.

Rules & Terms

đź“ś SIFFA Festival Regulations
The International Film Festival SIFFA (hereinafter referred to as “the Festival”) is an international competitive event focused on feature films, documentaries, short films, and screenplays.
🎯 Festival Goals and Objectives
Promote outstanding films and screenplays internationally
Support partnership-building among British, European, and global filmmakers and screenwriters.
Provide opportunities for emerging filmmakers and writers to participate in international festivals.
Foster artistic cooperation and exchange among young professionals in the film industry
Support talented new voices as well as established professionals in global cinema.
The SIFFA Management is the highest authority responsible for organising and overseeing the Festival.
🎬 Festival Programme Includes
Main Competition:
Feature Films,
Documentary Competition,
Short Film Competition,
Screenplay 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.
Official selection results will be announced via FilmFreeway and the Festival’s official communication channels.

⏱️ Duration Requirements
Documentary films submitted to competition sections must not exceed 45 minutes in duration.
Short films submitted to competition sections must not exceed 30 minutes in duration.
There is no maximum duration limit for feature films.
These duration limits apply only to competition sections.

The screening schedule is determined by SIFFA Management.
Each selected film will be screened during the Festival. Additional screenings (press, industry, educational, or special events) may take place at the Festival’s discretion.
Eligibility.

Competition films must be completed after January 1, 2025 (for the 2026 Festival edition).
For future editions, eligibility dates may be adjusted accordingly.
This completion-date requirement applies only to films submitted to competition sections.
World, international, and UK premieres are given preference but are not mandatory.

Submission Format
Films must be submitted online via FilmFreeway using a secure screener link.
Selected films must provide a DCP for theatrical screening.
đź’¬ Language & Subtitles
Films must be presented in their original language.
If the original language is not English, English subtitles are required.

⏰ Delivery Deadline
All selected films must provide final screening materials no later than September 25, 2026.
Late deliveries may not be accepted and may result in withdrawal from the Festival programme.

📦 Required Materials (for selected films)

English subtitle cue sheet (if available)
Synopsis, press kit, and marketing materials
Trailer and high-resolution stills from the film
Materials for the Festival catalogue, including:
• Information about the creators
• Director’s photo
• Film stills
• Poster

🎞️ Backup & Promotional Materials
All selected films are kindly requested to provide a QuickTime file or Blu-ray copy as a backup.
These materials will be used only in case of technical issues with the DCP and strictly as a last-resort screening option.
With the filmmaker’s submission, the Festival is also granted permission to use such files for promotional purposes, including trailers, sizzles, excerpts, clips, and Festival-related presentations (non-commercial use only).

✍️ Screenplay Competition
Screenplays must be submitted in English (or accompanied by an English translation).
Screenplays may be short, feature-length, or series pilots (as specified on FilmFreeway).
Selected screenplays may be presented in public readings, industry sessions, or professional meetings as part of the Festival programme.

⚠️ Important Notice
By submitting a film or screenplay, you confirm that you hold all necessary rights for festival participation, public screening (where applicable), and promotional use of submitted materials.
The Festival accepts no liability for any unauthorized use of copyrighted materials within submitted works.
By submitting, you agree that:
your film may be publicly screened during the Festival;
your screenplay may be presented as part of Festival industry or educational events;
the Festival may use submitted promotional materials (stills, posters, trailers, clips, and excerpts) for non-commercial Festival promotion.
Failure to meet any of the requirements or deadlines may result in disqualification from the Festival programme.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jasdip Sagar

    Great festival and very fun

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Jasdip! Thank you so much! We’re truly happy you had fun and enjoyed the festival. Hope to see you again at SIFFA!

    With sincere appreciation,
    Dr. Luba Balagova-Kandour
    President, So Independent International Film Festival (SIFFA)

  • Elaheh Godarzi

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

    December 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Elaheh! Thank you so much for your kind words! 💫 We are truly grateful for your support and for being part of SIFFA. On behalf of Richard, myself and the whole Festival Team — it means the world to us to know that our work brings joy and inspiration.
    With sincere appreciation,
    Dr. Luba Balagova-Kandour
    President, So Independent International Film Festival (SIFFA)

  • 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
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Majid, for your generous words. We are truly honoured that you found SIFFA to be one of the most purposeful festivals you have taken part in. Your appreciation means a great deal to our organizers, jury, and the entire SIFFA community.
    With sincere gratitude,
    Dr. Luba Balagova-Kandour
    President, So Independent International Film Festival (SIFFA)

  • 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
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Julia, for your wonderful words. We were delighted to have Maya included in SIFFA’s programme this year. Even though you could not be with us in person, your film added great value to our line-up and resonated deeply with our audience. We truly appreciate your kind recognition of our work in fostering artistic expression and collaboration, and we very much look forward to welcoming you in future editions of the festival.
    With warm regards,
    Dr. Luba Balagova-Kandour
    President, So Independent International Film Festival (SIFFA)

  • 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
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Joel, for your kind words and for being part of SIFFA. We are proud that your film played to a full house and that it resonated so strongly with our audience. It was an honour to present you with the President’s Award at this year’s festival — a recognition of both your talent and your contribution to independent cinema. We look forward to your next project and to welcoming you back to SIFFA.
    With warm regards,
    Dr. Luba Balagova-Kandour
    President, So Independent International Film Festival (SIFFA)