29th UNAFF CALL FOR ENTRIES
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN for the 29th UNAFF, which will run from October 15-25, 2026 in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, San Francisco and Stanford University.
In its enduring advocacy for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights UNAFF celebrates the power of international documentary films dealing with the environment, refugees, famine, homelessness, racism, disease control, women's issues, children, universal education, war and peace and other topics mentioned in the UDHR.
This year’s theme, PASSION FOR CHANGE, continues our devotion to human rights with an emphasis on the energy, foresight and courage required to respond wisely to the increasing pace and challenges of our times.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
• Documentaries only and absolutely no films that are available online for free before the end of the festival (10/25/2026)
• No production year limit
• No runtime limit – UNAFF accepts both shorts and longs
• Rough-cuts or works-in-progress accepted, but please submit as close to the final cut as possible. UNAFF cannot accept updated versions of a film less than 10 days before the start of the festival
• Submission formats:
o Download-enabled online link with a password valid until June 30, 2026. Please email online link and password with attached signed submission form to linksubmit2026@unaff.org
o Blu-ray region 0 or 1 (see mailing address below)
o USB flash drive
• The language of the festival jury and audience is English, so if your film is in a different language, please translate the title and submit an English subtitled version, or send us an English SRT file.
SUBMISSION PROCESS:
• Submit online via FilmFreeway
or
• Email us a downloadable link directly to linksubmit2026@unaff.org, or send in your disc/flash drive to our mailing address below. Visit www.unaff.org for the downloadable Entry Form, which must be filled out, signed and sent with all direct submissions, either printed and included in your package, or as an attachment with your downloadable link.
SHIPPING
The entrant is responsible for the cost of shipping the entries to our office. Due to the volume of entries we CANNOT return preview copies. Unless otherwise requested, all submissions will become part of the UNAFF archive available for research and educational purposes only. Works submitted will be returned only if accompanied by insured self-addressed return packaging.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
• Early Deadline – May 6, 2026*
• Regular Deadline – May 16, 2026*
• Late deadline – May 26, 2026*
(*Postmarked)
Filmmakers will be notified about the status of their submission by August 6.
WAIVER
Entries will be handled with the utmost care, but UNAFF cannot assume responsibility for damage or loss of any film submitted to the festival.
AUTHORIZATION
As the producer's authorized representative, I accept the conditions described on this entry form. If this film is selected, I grant UNAFF the rights to publicly display it during UNAFF 2026 and in the UNAFF Traveling Film Festival and its programs internationally and in the US, as well as the permission to use any footage from the film and its publicity materials for UNAFF promotional purposes.
UNAFF will not accept new versions of a selected film less than 10 days before the festival unless requested by the programming staff.
