The JAHA Film Festival returns for its second edition, building on the groundbreaking success of its global inaugural launch in Lisbon December 6, 2025. JAHA is a radical and joyful cinematic platform dedicated to celebrating trans, intersex, and nonbinary (TIN) filmmakers from the Global South. We exist to reclaim narratives, amplify systematically silenced voices, and harness cinema's transformative power as a weapon of collective liberation.

Our work sharpens the lens on stories suppressed by the intertwined forces of religious supremacy, colonial power, and new fascisms. We stand in active solidarity with Palestine and human rights defenders worldwide, as well as with TIN and 2Spirit communities and all peoples of the Global South resisting colonization, imperialism, and genocide.

Following our explosive first edition, which received over 1,100 submissions and culminated in a curated program of 22 powerful films from across the globe, JAHA has established itself as a vital, global hub for urgent and visionary cinema. Founded by trans, Palestinian multidisciplinary artist Mama Ganuush, JAHA is a festival built by and for its community.

Why Submit to JAHA?
1. Proven Impact & Global Audience: Selected films from Edition 01 are enjoying a worldwide online program, ensuring extended visibility and impact.
2. Curated Thematic Programming: Films are presented within resonant, powerful frameworks. Past themes have included "Phoenix Rising," "Unraveling Roots," and "Thriving is Resistance," celebrating survival, heritage, and joy.
3. Community & Solidarity: We foster connection through filmmaker discussions, events, and a commitment to creating a space free from censorship and oppression.

We invite you to be part of this continuing journey to disrupt, illuminate, and liberate.

Theme/Focus
1. We are looking for bold, innovative, and compelling short and feature-length films that align with our mission.
2. We center only the work of trans, intersex, nonbinary, and 2Spirit filmmakers, with a focus on filmmakers from and stories connected to the Global South and Indigenous communities worldwide.

Films should engage with, but are not limited to, the following themes:
1. Liberation & Resistance: Collective struggle, anti-colonial movements, bodily autonomy.
Joy & Thriving: Celebration, community, love, and resilience beyond trauma.
2. Reclaiming Heritage: Identity, roots, and culture from a TIN perspective.
3. Futurity & Imagination: Visionary works that imagine new worlds and possibilities for our communities.

Awards & Prizes

1. Official Selection laurels.
2. Presentation in the JAHA Film Festival 2026/2027 program (format details TBA).
3. A platform for artist talks, panels, and community networking.
4. Extended global visibility through festival programming.

Rules & Terms

JAHA FILM FESTIVAL – TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

By submitting your film to the JAHA Film Festival (“the Festival”), you (“the Filmmaker” or The Filmmaker's legal representative) agree to the following terms and conditions, which form a binding agreement.

1. ELIGIBILITY & THEME
This festival platform is dedicated to centering and celebrating the work of Indigenous and Global South filmmakers. This category is open to filmmakers who identify as Two-Spirit, transgender, intersex, nonbinary, or hold culturally-specific gender-variant or third-gender identities (e.g., Muxe, Māhū, Fa'afafine, Fa'afatama, Nádleehi, etc.). Eligibility is based on self-identification, recognizing that these identities encompass unique cultural, spiritual, and gender roles.

**Please note that films exceeding maximum time limits for each category (listed below) will be automatically declined.

2. ETHICAL FUNDING DECLARATION
To preserve the integrity of this space, the Filmmaker and the submitted project must not have received funding—including grants, investments, sponsorships, or in-kind support—from entities that are:
- Publicly identified as supporting or engaging in illegal settlement activity in occupied territories.
- Primarily involved in military, security, or resource extraction industries operating in contexts of prolonged occupation or conflict.
- Headquartered or primarily operating in Israel, including state film funds.
By submitting, the Filmmaker affirms this is true. Falsifying this declaration constitutes grounds for immediate disqualification, forfeiture of any fees, and permanent ban.

3. SUBMISSION PROCESS
All films must be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway by the stated deadline. Submissions must include a complete entry form, a secure digital screener link, a film synopsis, director's bio, and a film still. It is the submitter's responsibility to ensure the film file and link are functional. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

4. RIGHTS GRANTED TO FESTIVAL
If selected, the Filmmaker grants the JAHA Film Festival a non-exclusive, limited-term license to:
- Screen the film publicly in a digital format to a global audience as part of the official festival program.
- Use up to 60 seconds of the film, its title, trailer, still images, synopsis, and director’s name and likeness in all festival marketing and promotional materials across all media.
- Use full clips or excerpts from the film for non-commercial educational purposes through the festival’s initiatives, including the "Trans Liberation Film School", to fulfill our mission of using cinema as a weapon for change. This grant is intended for curriculum, workshops, and related pedagogical activities.

5. GEOGRAPHICAL SCREENING RESTRICTIONS
The festival plans for global digital exhibition. It is the Filmmaker’s responsibility to declare any existing geo-blocking or platform restrictions.

In the custom question field titled "SCREENING RESTRICTIONS," you must list any geographical or platform-based restrictions (e.g., "Cannot be streamed online in the United Kingdom and Canada"). Leaving this field blank will be taken as your confirmation that you authorize unrestricted international public digital screening by the festival.

6. FILMMAKER WARRANTIES & INDEMNIFICATION
The Filmmaker warrants they are the sole owner of the film or have full authority to enter it, and have secured all necessary copyrights, licenses, and releases for all content. The Filmmaker agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the JAHA Film Festival, its organizers, and partners from any claims, liabilities, or expenses arising from a breach of these warranties or the film's content.

7. CODE OF CONDUCT
The JAHA Film Festival is committed to providing a harassment-free and respectful environment for all. We uphold a strict policy against discrimination, hate speech, racism, transphobia, or any form of harassment based on identity. Violations may result in removal from the festival.

8. GENERAL
The festival is not responsible for lost or damaged submissions. The decisions of the festival programmers are final. The festival reserves the right to alter dates or format. These terms constitute the entire agreement between the submitter and the festival.

FINAL SUBMISSION AFFIRMATION (For FilmFreeway Checkbox)

I, THE FILMMAKER OR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE, HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREE TO ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE JAHA FILM FESTIVAL OUTLINED ABOVE. I WARRANT THAT ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED IS TRUE AND THAT I HAVE THE FULL RIGHT AND AUTHORITY TO SUBMIT THIS FILM.