SAFAL International Film & Short Film Festival 2026

🎬 Eligibility:
Open to ALL. However,
- the film theme OR
- the main character(s) OR
- the film's primary Talent and/or Crew
MUST be of South Asian heritage, that is reflecting the people, society and culture of one or more of the nations comprising the Indian sub-continent (South Asia) viz. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Along with the entry submission, the submitter must specify how the submission meets the above criteria. Without this statement or where the entry is viewed but not determined to meet the festival's key criteria, the submitted entry will be rejected, and no communication will be proffered.

🎥 Film Categories:
A) Feature Film – No maximum duration
B) Short Film – Including animation. Duration upto 15 minutes
C) AI Generated Short Film - 100% AI Generated content. Duration upto 10 minutes
D) Documentary - Duration upto 90 minutes
E) Advertisement - Duration upto 1 minute

📽 Genres Accepted:
All genres are welcome, including animation and documentary films

📱 Production Types:
* Feature Films produced in professional production facilities
* Short Films produced in professional production facilities or shot on smartphones and other general production facilities
* Films may feature some AI generated content
* AI Short Films must have at least 90% AI generated content

✅ Certification Requirements:
*Film Certification from country of origin or from Australian Classification Board or exemption certificate must be provided
*Organisers reserve right to reject from the competition, films they deem to be disturbing, malicious, prejudiced, detrimental to community harmony or violating the laws of Australia.

📅 Production Date:
Films produced between 1st January 2025 and 31st March 2026.
They may be released or unreleased.

✅ Authorisation
The entry submitter must declare that he/she is authorised by the entry's producer(s), to enter the film in the competition, and to be the designated recipient of all communication relating to the submitted entry.

⚖ Jury Decision:
The decision of the Jury will be final and binding.

Further, the SIFSFF committee reserves the to withhold the declaration of award winner(s) for one or more categories without explanation, for any reason(s) deemed to diminish the integrity or quality of the festival or for legal reasons.

💲 Entry Fees:
Feature Film: AUD $50 per entry
Documentary: AUD $40 per entry
Short Film: AUD $40 per entry
AI Generated Short Film: AUD $25 per entry
Advertisement Film / Video: AUD $25 per entry

Entry Fee will not be refunded for any reason(s) including if the entry is rejected from the competition.

🗣 Language:
If the film is in a language other than English, English subtitling of the film is mandatory, except where it is a silent film (with no spoken or sign language requiring translation)

📦 Format:
Films must be submitted in industry-standard video formats.
If available in DCP format, an unlocked DCP version must be submitted. Films can be submitted via filmfreeway, Vimeo or via Google Drive.

📄 Multiple Entries:
Participants may submit more than one film, but each film must have a separate submission form and fee.

🚫 Festival Disclaimer:
SAFAL International Short Film Festival will not be responsible for any costs related to travel, accommodation, or correspondence incurred by participants.

📝 Important:
Each film / short film entry must have a separate entry form for entering the competition. Where more than one film is submitted on a single entry form, the entry will be rejected.

⏰ Submission Deadline:
10:00 PM on 31st March 2026 (AEDT, Sydney time)