The MZIAIF International Christian Film Festival (MZIAIF_ICFF) is the official international film festival outreach of the Mount Zion Institute Alumni International Fellowship (MZIAIF), a global fellowship of Christian drama and film ministers committed to using film, drama, media, and creative storytelling to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ.
MZIAIF_ICFF exists to provide a global platform for Christian filmmakers, drama ministers, media creators, churches, youth groups, students, and creative ministries who are passionate about producing faith-based, family-friendly, Christ-centered films and media projects. Through the festival, we encourage filmmakers from around the world to tell stories that reflect Christian values, inspire hope, strengthen families, promote godly creativity, and advance the message of Christ without discrimination.
The festival is not only a submission and awards platform; it is also a place of training, support, development, fellowship, networking, and global engagement. Each edition brings together filmmakers, actors, directors, producers, writers, animators, editors, media ministers, students, and creative leaders to share, learn, connect, pitch ideas, celebrate excellence, and encourage one another in the work of Kingdom storytelling.
The vision began in January 2021 with a trial six-day film festival designed for MZIAIF members. That first engagement received 85 submissions across several categories, including full-length feature films, short films, animation, promos, spoken word, and children’s productions. Following that successful pilot, MZIAIF officially launched its first international film festival from October 20–23, 2021. The 2021 edition became a major global gathering of Christian filmmakers, attracting filmmakers from over 60 countries and receiving more than 450 film submissions from over 70 countries.
Since then, MZIAIF_ICFF has continued to grow as a global Christian film festival and a Kingdom creative movement. The festival has welcomed thousands of participants, hundreds of selected projects, and numerous award recognitions, while continuing to serve as a platform for faith-based filmmakers across nations, languages, cultures, and generations.
The upcoming festival cycle opens on February 15, 2026, with the main festival event scheduled for July 26–31, 2027. This edition will continue the tradition of gathering Christian filmmakers and media creators for screenings, awards, creative engagement, ministry connection, training, networking, and global Kingdom impact.
MZIAIF_ICFF welcomes submissions in multiple categories, including feature films, short films, animations, music videos, spoken word, audio drama, stage theatrical drama, television series, African language films, French language films, Spanish language films, AI-powered animation, young generation Kingdom projects, Kingdom podcasts or talk shows, promotional projects, and special themed projects.
Because MZIAIF is an outreach-based global mission with a mandate to extend the love of Christ across the nations, selected categories and regions may be eligible for sponsored or free submissions. MZIAIF members also continue to receive special submission privileges. Filmmakers, ministries, or organizations from countries or regions with submission restrictions or financial limitations may contact the festival team for sponsorship consideration as provided under the relevant category guidelines.
All submitted projects must uphold Christian and family values. Projects should be uplifting, suitable for faith and family audiences, and aligned with the festival’s mission to celebrate stories that glorify God and promote the message of Christ.
We invite Christian filmmakers, drama ministers, churches, creative ministries, young creators, students, media professionals, and Kingdom storytellers from around the world to submit their works and be part of this growing global movement.
For more information about MZIAIF, visit www.mziaif.org.
For festival updates, visit www.mziaifilmfestival.com.
The MZIAIF International Christian Film Festival (MZIAIF_ICFF) recognizes excellence, creativity, ministry impact, and Kingdom storytelling across a wide range of film and media categories.
Awards will be presented to selected films, filmmakers, ministries, and creative teams whose works demonstrate strong Christian values, artistic excellence, technical quality, originality, family-friendly storytelling, and a clear message that promotes the love, hope, and message of Christ.
The festival includes a range of official awards, recognition honors, consolation prizes, mission awards, and sponsorship opportunities across different categories.
In addition to category awards, the festival may also present Mission Awards to films, filmmakers, ministries, associations, or creative teams whose work demonstrates exceptional commitment to evangelism, discipleship, social impact, community transformation, or the advancement of Christian drama and film ministry.
Selected participants may also be considered for consolation prizes, special recognition certificates, promotional spotlights, mentorship opportunities, training access, festival features, networking opportunities, and ministry development support, depending on available sponsorship and festival partnerships.
All awards, prizes, mission recognitions, and sponsorship opportunities are subject to the final decision of the festival leadership, jury panel, available sponsorships, and category eligibility.
The ultimate goal of every award is not only to celebrate excellence, but to encourage filmmakers to keep creating films and media projects that glorify God, strengthen families, inspire communities, and proclaim the message of Jesus Christ to the world.
