Our goal is to feature works by artists from across the globe and a wide variety of different industries.
Humanitarian and environmental issues will play a central role at our festival and our goal is to promote international cultural exchange. We are inspired by the transcendental nature of art, and the special role it plays in creating new perspectives and innovations. The festival is going back to the past and searching for the fundamental questions that everyone used to ask. This way, we can delve a bit deeper and rediscover how everything began, and determine our goals on this planet.
A special characteristic of the festival is that we will focus on questions rather than themes. The answers will emerge from the works of the artists.

Festival’s Question 2026:
"Identity - Who do we become?"

Awards & Prizes

Short film:

Best Short Film/Feature
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Audience prices

All winners receive a free certificate (pdf/jpg file)

Photo/Graphic Exposition during the whole Festival Run

Rules & Terms

The question is truly broad, encompassing aspects of humanity, nature, and more. We're eager to see your perspective.

****** Note:
The filmmakers who have problems paying in EU countries, please contact us via info@returniaf.com so we can give you a code for uploading.******

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Short films, in the form of narrative (fiction), documentary (non-fiction), animated film up to 30 minutes, including all credits. (The films should be completed from 2024 onward)

By submitting your film you agree to the following:

- Parts of your film - including a trailer, teaser, film poster, extracts, and stills - will be used for promotional purposes.
- Entry fees are non-refundable.
- Multiple entries are allowed for each filmmaker and each entry may be entered in multiple categories.
- The films must include English subtitles even if the spoken language is English.
- All films submitted must be free from any legal disputes and the filmmaker must have cleared all rights for music and exhibition.
- All ages are eligible, and you can submit from any country.
- All entries must be uploaded in PDF/FDX format. Contact details or names are allowed to be on the title page.
-All filmmakers will be notified of their status by 15th of August 2026 via the submission contact email address. Please keep us informed of any changes regarding your contact information by emailing Info@returniaf.com.

We do not accept:
1. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organisations
2. Films involving politics/films promoting political agenda
3. Films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions for non-English films, video resolution less than 720p HD
4.If generative AI was used, please write exaclty in which parts of the production.
5.Only Films eliable that are made/completed after January 1st 2024

##Each subjected film will be shown at the festival in an actual theatre and can be shown in events like open air best of RETURN Screenings or Highlight Screenings also outside of the actual festival date##
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16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ali Ziani

    A beautiful festival I was able to attend and where I was warmly welcomed :)

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Viktor Witkowski

    First of all: this is a wonderful festival and definitely worth applying to. The organizers of the festival put a lot of work and attention to detail into this festival and it shows. The screenings are very well-attended, the films are high quality, there are several workshops that happen in addition to the festival and a grand gala in the evening of the last festival day brings together the audience, organizers, sponsors, jury members and filmmakers.

    The downside was that even though I attended all three days of the festival, only three other people were present (on different days) who were connected the shown films. I can only encourage those of you applying to this festival to consider attending. Weimar is a great city with a long, important and complicated history. It is worth exploring and who knows: maybe it can be part of a future film project.

    A film festival, no matter how well it is organized, needs at least some of its filmmakers to attend in person, because making new connections between creatives and extending one's network is crucial.

    So, if you decide to apply to this festival (and you really should), try to plan on attending if you can.

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Lynn Carina Feltes

    Ein tolles Festival, vielen Dank für die Einladung mit meinem Kurzfilm! Die Filme, die liefen, waren alle sehr inspirierend und wurden super ausgewählt. Eröffnungsveranstaltung war super. Wir freuen uns auf das nächste Mal!

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Paper Horse Pictures

    Participating in the Return International Film & Art Festival was a fantastic experience. Although we couldn’t attend due to scheduling conflicts, we were thoroughly impressed by the festival’s exceptional support and dedication to both the films and the filmmakers. Their professionalism truly stood out.

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Giuliana Racco

    Happy to have taken part in Return IAF. I appreciate the depth, seriousness, care and vision of the festival. Wish I could have been there in person.

    December 2023
    Helpful