1.Eligibility
Production Date: Only films produced starting from January 2024 are eligible for the official competition.
Premiere Status: All submitted films must be at least an Algerian premiere. Films previously screened in Algeria — either in festivals, cinemas, cultural centers, or public events — are not eligible. Films that are or have been available on any streaming platform commercially in the Arab world or otherwise are also not eligible.
Origin: Submissions are open to films directed by Arab filmmakers, produced by Arab entities, and/or that explore themes related to the Arab world.
Submission Rights: Only rights holders and/or their official distributors are eligible to submit films to the festival.
Festival Discretion: The festival reserves the right to determine a film’s eligibility and to accept or decline any film submission for any reason without explanation.
2. Submission Guidelines
Platform: All submissions must be made exclusively through FilmFreeway.
Language: All the Films must include English subtitles. Arabic subtitles are encouraged for non-Arabic language films.
Formats: Acceptable screening formats include DCP, ProRes, or other high-quality digital files (e.g., MP4, MOV).
Required Materials:
Synopsis in English and Arabic
Director’s biography and filmography
High-resolution stills from the film
Official poster
Trailer or teaser
3. Film Categories
The festival accepts films in the following categories:
Feature Fiction Films: Narrative films with a minimum runtime of 60 minutes.
Feature Documentary Films: Documentary films with a minimum runtime of 60 minutes.
Short Fiction Films: Narrative or animated films with a maximum runtime of 30 minutes.
Note: The festival does not accept short documentary films.
4. Selection & Screenings
All films will be evaluated by the festival's selection committee.
Once selected and confirmed, films cannot be withdrawn from the festival.
Selected films may be screened as part of decentralized screenings in Algerian regions, under the festival's official program.
The festival does not pay screening fees for selected films.
By submitting, participants grant the festival the right to use excerpts, images, and trailers for promotional purposes.
