The Kraken International Film Festival (KIFF) is an International Seasonal and Annual competition with an annual live screening in the heart of Milan, Italy.

Milan stands out as one of the world's most enchanting cities, and our goal is to champion films, providing filmmakers with an additional boost in their careers.

The Kraken aims not only to reward filmmakers' works with a certification made by industry professionals, but also offers a monetary prize, a feature not common to all festivals. You may win up to 2000$ in different cash prizes!

We get how it's a hustle to fund your movie or put in the hours for that killer script. The cash prize is the sweet icing on the cake, providing an opportunity to potentially gain income for your hard work, or perhaps to set funds for your next project, who knows!

THE ANNUAL EVENT:

The Annual Event will take place on May 8th, 2026. Every seasonal winner will be automatically selected for the annual competition, where the final winners will win the monetary prizes. Only a selection of winning films will be screened, which will be notified a month prior to the event.

KIFF is not just an event; it's a celebration of the undiscovered, a journey into the depths of storytelling that will leave you questioning.. Reality. At Kraken, we believe in elevating cinematic treasures from the abyss, welcoming all genres that stir the audience on a profound level.

Awards & Prizes

The Kraken International Film Festival gives awards in the following categories:

Grand Prix Awards:
Best Feature Film ($500)
Best Short Film ($500)

The Kraken Spirit Award ($500)
[For indie shorts that capture the heart of the Kraken mission — going beyond boundaries, delivering a powerful message, and surfacing something unforgettable from the deep.]

Best Feature Screenplay ($350)

Best Short Screenplay ($150)

Other Award Categories:

Best Low Budget Feature Film (under $50K)
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Experimental Film
Best TV Pilot/Web Series
Best Music Video
Best Student Film

Best Female Filmmaker
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Genres [eg. Horror, Romance]

Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor

Best Costume Design
Best Soundtrack
Best Song
Best Poster
Best Trailer

Rules & Terms

By submitting your film, take note that:

- You agree to let us use parts of your film, the trailer, teaser, film poster, and/or stills, for promotion.
- The Entrant/s submitting the film must hold all legal rights for the submission, including the music.
- Entry fees can't be refunded.
- Only a selection of few winning films will be shown at the live event.
- Filmmakers can submit multiple entries, and each entry can be in different categories. - You can re-submit your work, in the following seasons.
- All films must include English subtitles.
- Non-English language produced films must have English subtitles or be dubbed in English.
- Scripts must be in English or Italian.
- Only submissions via FilmFreeway are accepted.
- All seasonal winners are automatically selected for the annual competition, not needing to re-sumit.
- You agree to let us use parts of the director's bio / part of your film's overview and/or stills, for promotion.

We do not accept:

- Extremist or propaganda content disseminated by religious or political organizations
- Pornographic material
- Films centered on politics or endorsing a specific political agenda
- Films with hate messages
60 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Poorna Talkies

    Egwa film : The Kraken International Film Festival stands out as a phenomenal global platform that champions unique, undiscovered cinematic voices and breathes life into independent storytelling. By recognizing exceptional regional art like the Telugu film Egwa, the festival proves its dedication to honoring profound narratives that cross cultural boundaries. Its unique combination of monetary rewards, professional certification, and a passionate celebration of cinema makes it an empowering beacon for filmmakers worldwide

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Mehregan Parsa

    Our deepest gratitude goes to the entire team, and especially to and , for creating such a beautiful, professional, and truly unforgettable experience for filmmakers.

    From the very first moment, Sharon Grace Badia and Valerio De Prosperi made us feel welcomed, respected, and truly valued as filmmakers. The level of organization, the passion behind every detail, and the genuine support for independent cinema were simply outstanding.

    For us, Kraken Film Festival was much more than just a festival or a screening. It was a place where artists, storytellers, and creative minds from around the world could connect, share ideas, and celebrate cinema in its purest form.

    We sincerely admire what Sharon Grace Badia and Valerio De Prosperi have built, and we truly believe Kraken is becoming one of those rare festivals that filmmakers will always remember with deep respect and gratitude.

    Having our film Soupology selected and recognized by Kraken was a true honor for both of us, and this experience will always remain special in our hearts.

    Thank you again for everything. We truly hope our paths cross again very soon.

    With sincere appreciation and respect,

    Mehregan Parsa & Sam shojaei

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Christian Wehrle

    I’m very grateful that my documentary *Hidden Worlds* received an Honorable Mention at the Kraken International Film Festival.

    It’s always meaningful when an independent film gets recognised, and I truly appreciate that *Hidden Worlds* was included and acknowledged by the festival.

    The communication was smooth, the selection felt thoughtful, and it’s clear that the festival genuinely supports filmmakers and diverse creative work.

    For me, this recognition means a lot, especially because *Hidden Worlds* was built over several years of filming in deep wrecks, caves, flooded mines, and other unusual underwater environments.

    Thank you again to the Kraken International Film Festival for including my film and for this honour. I’m very happy to have been part of it.

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • FERMENT CYRIL

    Super, merci d'avoir récompensé mon film THE OTHER :)
    Très fier

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Benjamin Martin

    Great Festival. Was an honor to be an award winner

    April 2026
    Helpful