The main goal of the Kurdistan International Independent Film Festival is to present the current trends in the Kurdistan and international cinema and to provoke intercultural dialogue.

Our mission is to develop a sustainable platform for presentation of contemporary feature movies and to turn KIIFF into cultural venue of filmmakers and cinema fans from all over the world.

We have been honored to have these Stars, Projects and Companies in our Festival:
• David Lynch foundation
• Oscar Nominees Live Action
• BAFTA Nominees and Winners
• Cannes Film Festival, The Academy Qualifying and ...
• Oscar-winning actress Cloris Leachman
• Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis
• Oscar-winning actress Tatum O'Neal
• Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr
• Oscar-winning actor George Chakiris
• BAFTA-winning actor Andrew Scott
And so on...

The festival judging panel consists of 25 members (Filmmakers from SAG-AFTRA, Artists from SACD and freelance Writers).

We welcome all genres.

•Best of Fest
•Best Feature Film
•Best Short Film
•Best Feature Documentary
•Best Short Documentary
•Best Feature Screenplay
•Best Short Script
•Best Director
•Best Leading Actress
•Best Leading Actor
•Best Supporting Actress
•Best Supporting Actor
•Best Cinematographer
•Best Original Score
•Best Costume Designer
•Best Editing
•Best Sound

BEFORE SUBMITTING:
While we consider all genres, if you’re unsure if your film fits our programming, please review our archives.
Studios and Sales Agents: Please do not submit to KIIFF if you require a fee for screening at KIIFF. As a non-profit arts organization, it is not in our budget.

KIIFF SUBMISSION BASICS:
1: Each filmmaker can participate in the competition program for only one film made in the previous year and this year (2020, 2021,2022).
2: Submissions not in English must have English subtitles.

IF ACCEPTED TO KIIFF:
1: The filmmakers accept responsibility for all trademark and copyrighted materials, shown or recorded, on the project and have the necessary releases for a theatrical screening.
2: While we will always ask first, Filmmakers agree that their film, or clips from it, and all other material related to their project may be used and/or published in the event program, KIIFF website, social networking sites, blog, or for other Festival promotional purposes.
3: Filmmakers promise to provide KIIFF with a full electronic press kit that must include a trailer, images for web and print, cast & crew information, and film synopsis. We can't promote you without your help.
4: We ask that you participate in KIIFF as much as possible. If you’re unable to attend your screening, please have a representative attend in your place. Please support your peers and celebrate independent cinema.
5: The cost of delivery and pick-up of all materials is the responsibility of the filmmaker.
6: Take a deep breath, relax, and have fun!

OUR PLEDGE TO THE FILMMAKER:
1: KIIFF promises to watch each submission, from start to finish. Guaranteed. You took the time to submit your project to KIIFF and we’ll take the time to watch it. (Please note that your Vimeo counter will not take into account views if embedded into FilmFreeway.com)
2: At the end of each submission period, and during the final weeks of our selection process, KIIFF will regularly update the main contact on the status of the film. If you change your email address, please be sure to update KIIFF. Additionally, we ask that you add info@KIIFF.com to your address book, follow @KIIFF.OFFICIAL on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram and please do not unsubscribe from our email list until films have been selected. This will ensure you receive all communications from KIIFF during the submission period.
3: KIIF will never share your contact information, or any part of your film, with a third party without your permission.
4: Upon request, KIIFF will extend screening notes to filmmakers, after the festival has ended.
Submitting to KIIFF through FilmFreeway.
com confirms that you are authorized to do so and that you've read, understand and agree to the KIIFF Terms of Entry.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thank you so much for a wonderful experience.

    January 2023
  • Sedat Benek

    I'm very happy my movie Göbeklitepe Residants was selected. Tank you so much Kurdistan İnternational Film Festival.

    December 2022
  • Lucia Levis

    This is a fake festival. I received a notification that said my film was selected, but then nothing happened and the festival does not seem to be real.

    November 2022
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Dear,
    Your film was just selected for screening, and the festival awards event was sent to you via email and our partner Filmfreeway, if you didn't receive a certificate it means you weren't nominated or win, that's no reason to call our festival fake. Good luck to you and your project!

  • Amazing festival, smooth communication, great experience. Thanks for selecting our short film!

    November 2022
  • I appreciate being a part of this new experience and to share my film's message with the participants. Great experience!

    October 2022