We are delighted to announce the 27th UNAFF (United Nations Association Film Festival), which was founded in 1998 by Stanford educator and film critic Jasmina Bojic in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The 27th UNAFF will be held from October 17-27, 2024 in Palo Alto, Stanford University, East Palo Alto and San Francisco. This year’s theme, SHARED HUMANITY, continues our devotion to human rights with an emphasis on our common destiny and issues fostering it, or standing in its way.

Over the years UNAFF has screened some of the most awarded and talked about documentaries in the industry, including eight that went on to win Academy Awards
and thirty five that were nominated.

AWARDS include a CASH prize

• UNAFF Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary $2000
• UNAFF Grand Jury Award for Best Short Documentary $1000
• UNAFF Award for Best Cinematography $500
• UNAFF Award for Best Editing $500
• UNAFF Youth Vision Award $500

UNAFF provides filmmakers with pass credentials, guest festival passes, and some assistance with lodging and airfare. In addition to screenings UNAFF provides filmmakers the opportunity to present their work through panel discussions and Q&As and to meet distributors and leaders of community organizations.

27th UNAFF CALL FOR ENTRIES

SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN for the 27th UNAFF, which will run from October 17-27, 2024 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, SHARED HUMANITY, continues our devotion to human rights with an emphasis on our common destiny and issues fostering it, or standing in its way.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• Documentaries only and absolutely no films that are available online for free before the end of the festival (10/27/2024)
• 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, 2024. Please email online link and password with attached signed submission form to linksubmit2024@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 linksubmit2024@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 4, 2024*
• Regular Deadline – May 14, 2024*
• Late deadline – May 24, 2024*
(*Postmarked)

Filmmakers will be notified about the status of their submission by August 4.

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 2024 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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Lisa Hepner

    I thorough enjoyed our screening at UNAFF. The energy, passion and organization made it stand out from the other festivals. A very positive experience!

    November 2023
  • Gina Margillo

    The Festival was wonderful for its film content and in that it provided a platform for the discussion of the the social justice content of our films. Curated panels brought filmmakers, politicians, activists and audiences together for thought provoking reflection and learning. I'm honored that my short, Overtown's Living Legacy, was shown alongside such incredible full length docs. Thank you for the opportunity.

    November 2023
  • We are over the moon for BY MY SIDE to have screened at the United Nations Association Film Festival, to a full house. Hats off and many thanks to Jasmina Bojic and her team for expert organization, detailed communications, a great lineup of films, and making members of our cast feel right at home at the festival. It is a great honor for BY MY SIDE to receive the award for Best Short Documentary. Filled with gratitude.

    November 2023
  • Arthur Musah

    Excellent festival. Great hosts, communications, travel support, venue and audiences. Thank you UNAFF for a memorable and productive festival experience.

    November 2023
  • It was a great honor to be part of UNAFF. Thank you for including "13 Driver's Licenses," our short documentary. We couldn't attend it, but some of our friends were able to. They had a splendid time! Warm Regards.

    November 2023