The Scandinavian International Film Festival (SCIFF) is an annual independent film festival held in Helsinki, Finland. As it enters its seventh year, SCIFF has a clear mission: to provide a platform for emerging and talented filmmakers to express their unique voices while drawing inspiration from past cinematic excellence and staying abreast of the latest innovative concepts in the arts.

SCIFF is highly regarded as a cultural high-level event in Helsinki and serves as a showcase for filmmakers to present their work in top-quality venues to a discerning audience. The festival also invites professionals and industry experts to evaluate the films and bestow awards to recognize outstanding work.

One of the key objectives of SCIFF is to shed light on contemporary issues such as racism, radicalism, and humanitarian crises. The festival aims to bring these critical topics to the attention of Scandinavian and European audiences while fostering the growth and development of both the Finnish and international cinematic communities that address these issues. Achieving this objective requires the participation of talented and dedicated filmmakers who can effectively convey the importance of these subjects through their films.

The venue will be both online and real venue in Oodi.

For more information about SCIFF and to stay updated on their activities, you can visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Sciffinternationalfilmfestival/.

Awards & Prizes

The Selection Committee carefully assesses each film and screenplay submission and then reaches a final consensus based on a set of internal criteria. The main factors they look for are excellence in topic, technique, and originality. Films of any genre are accepted for submission. Awards Are:
Nordic Aurora Award for Best Feature Film.

Nordic Aurora Award for Best Short Film.

Nordic Aurora Award for Best Documentary Film.

Nordic Aurora Award for Best Animated Film.
Honorable Mention:
– Best Actor
– Best Actress
– Best Director

Nordic Aurora as an award of recognition

All winners how are interesting to receive the Trophy have to pay the management and delivery costs.

Trophies can be shipped to the winners by the cheapest post methods — the responsibility of the delivering limited to the sending process. We are not responsible for losing, damages accused by the delivery companies. The participant is responsible for arranging shipment.

Rules & Terms

SCIFF FEATURE FILMS

By SCIFF standards any film that is 50 minutes and over in length is considered a feature film. All movies must carry English Subtitles. All films which are selected/nominated for the Festival will be informed by emails & listed on our websites. Feature Films can bring any subject respecting humanity issues and cultures topics. The SCIFF carries on this tradition and makes way for new developments in feature films by selecting original, unique features to screen at the festival.
SCIFF DOCUMENTARY FILMS

The Scandinavian International Film Festival is dedicated to screening documentary films on a variety of subjects. Human Rights issues, life stories, environmental topics, a unique, spiritual and unordinary theme will be on focus this year.
SCIFF SHORT FILMS

Any film that is 1 minute to 49 min 59 sec in length is considered a short film. We are focusing on filmmakers how are trying to introduce unique and new ideas and movies. The Film Festival will pay particular attention to this category to give this special film category the attention it deserves.
SCIFF ANIMATED FILMS

Over the last two centuries, animation film technology has advanced from flip books to 3D animation and CGI. When selecting animated films for competition, the SCIFF will pay particular attention to topic and quality. The filmmakers are committed to screening the selected films.

The festival can use all the material that is submitted to the festival including the posters and trillers without any permission.

The festival owns unlimited screening rights for the selected films. No screening fees will be paid. The festival owns the rights, not screen all the selected films. The festival holds the right to screen all selected movie in the festival sub-events.

The Nordic Aurora- trophy is available to be sent to the winners all around the world. However, the receiver is responsible for any damage or loss of the sent trophy. Notice that the shipping cost should be paid and arranged by the winner. Notice the festival have the rights to change or update the shape and the material of the Trophies.

IMPORTANT!
Your film should be able to download by 15.8.2021!!
PLEASE make the access to the download link as soon as possible (The film and the promo). All selected movies have to be downloaded. The films that have not made the access available for downloading it will be withdrawn from the program.

Please notice that the event might be arranged online on 2022 due to the Corona - Pandemia.

28 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • KAZUYA ASHIZAWA

    It's a great film festival! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to screen the film.

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Indranil Ghosh

    Its a beautiful experience to win the award for the film SINIOLCHU the peak a man fell in love with

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Jonas Myrstrand

    Great to be a part at the film festival and a winner, so inspiring!

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Roel Swierenga

    Happy to have participated in this film festival in beautiful Helsinki and see our film Pushback being selected. Looking forward to join the festival again next year, hopefully live!

    October 2022
    Helpful
    Logo1
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your feedback! Indeed, we love to meet you in Helsinki, and thank you for the wonderful film!

  • Dag-Erik Hansen

    I had a very good experience with this festival and I entirely support sending in your film. Good communication from the staff and an interesting line up of films. 10/10

    October 2022
    Helpful
    Logo1
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for the feedback. The festival was exceptionally online this time and we hope to meet all the filmmakers next year! Thank you again and good luck!