Lachin International Film Festival (LachinFilmFest) is an annual celebration of the finest selected short films, held in the breathtaking mountain city of Lachin, Azerbaijan. Our mission is to create a platform for new voices and diverse creative visions.

Lachin holds the status of the CIS Cultural Capital for 2025. Unlike massive urban festivals, LachinFilmFest turns geographical distance and the mountain landscape into an exclusive advantage, creating an intimate environment for professional communication that is impossible in megapolises. The uniqueness of Lachin lies in the harmony of its nature—the Hekeri River and historical heritage (Gasimushaghi carpets)—with modern infrastructure including the Lachin Airport, high-end resorts, and creative studios.

As the philosophical axis of the festival, a universal concept of harmony between culture, nature, and humanity is presented as its core vision. This approach is rooted in the principles of resilience, continuity, and renewal. The symbolic embodiment of this concept is the Red (Golden) Oak — a tree that preserves its strength even in harsh natural conditions and grows stronger over time. Like this tree, human creativity does not fade in the face of challenges; instead, it regenerates and finds new forms of expression.

LIFF offers a unique festival platform that combines the majesty of mountains with the magic of cinema. Screenings take place outdoors along the "Hekeri Boulevard", as well as in the “LaCinema” center and the HochazFilm Pavilion.

Directors and producers of award-winning films can use the unique sets of "HochazFilm Creative Studio" at special discounted rates.

Awards & Prizes

The official prize of LachinFilmFest is the Golden Oak branch, inspired by the rare Red Oak of the Lachin forests—a symbol of resilience and the powerful rebirth of regional culture.

Golden Oak for Best International Short Film — €500 prize
Golden Oak for Best National Short Film — €500 prize
Best Student Film — €250 prize
Jury Prize (“Hakari”) — €250 prize
Best Director — €250 prize

Categories:

Short Film Competition
(fiction, documentary, animation, experimental)
⁠Student Film Competition
(fiction, documentary, animation, experimental)

Rules & Terms

LACHIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – SUBMISSION REGULATIONS
(Please read carefully before submitting)

1. Film Submission:
Submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway.com. (lachinfilmfest.com)

2. Organizer:
The Lachin International Film Festival (LIFF) is organized with the support of partner public and private institutions. All rights are retained by the Festival Organizing Committee.

3. Themes:
The festival accepts films on any topic.

4. Premiere Requirement:
Films that have not been previously screened in Azerbaijan are preferred.

5. Production Year:
Only films produced in 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible. Older productions will not be considered.

6. Runtime : up to 40 minutes (including credits)

7. Language & Subtitles:
• Films not in Azerbaijani must include embedded English or Azerbaijani subtitles.
• Selected films must provide an SRT subtitle file and a dialogue list.

8. Selection & Notification:
• Selected films will be announced on the festival website and social media accounts.
• Individual feedback will not be provided to unselected films.
• “Selected” status indicates inclusion in the festival program.

9. Rights & Permissions:
• Submitters confirm they hold full rights to the submitted film, including music and visuals.
• The festival committee may use up to 30 seconds of the film for promotional purposes on TV and social media.
• Selected films may be screened during festival days and in non-commercial tours in Lachin after the festival.

10. Withdrawal:
Once officially selected, films cannot be withdrawn from the festival.

11. Participation:
1–2 representatives (director or producer) from each selected film will be officially invited to the festival in Lachin.
The festival will cover airfare, welcome, accommodation, and local transportation.

12. Geography:
Priority is given to cinema from Caspian and bordering countries, CIS and Turkic States, Central Asia, Turkey, and Southern and Eastern Europe.

13. Deadline:
Submission deadline: July 1, 2026

All regulations are approved by the Lachin International Film Festival Organizing Committee.