Kosice International Film Festival

Košice International Film Festival
Official Rules & Regulations – 2026 Edition
1. Festival Overview
Košice International Film Festival (KIFF) is an international film festival open to filmmakers worldwide. The festival takes place physically in Košice, Slovakia, at Kino Úsmev, from December 11–13, 2026. The festival does not organize online screenings.
2. Eligibility – Production Date
Only films completed after January 1, 2024 are eligible for submission.
3. Categories & Duration
Feature Films – minimum 52 minutes
Short Films – up to 30 minutes (including end credits)
Super Short Films – up to 5 minutes (excluding end credits)
The festival accepts films of all genres.
Generation XYZ is a genre-based section dedicated to:
Thriller, Horror, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Mystery, and Crime.
The final categorization of each submitted project is determined by the festival organizers.
4. Slovak Premiere Requirement
All international films must be Slovak Premieres.
The film must not have been publicly screened in Slovakia prior to the festival, including online public screenings accessible from Slovak territory.
Violation of the premiere status may result in disqualification.
5. Language & Subtitles
All films that are not in English must include embedded English subtitles in the final screening copy.
English-language films must not contain subtitles unless artistically required.
6. Screening Format
Selected films must provide a high-quality MP4 file with embedded English subtitles.
The festival will create the DCP for theatrical screening.
Failure to provide the required materials within the specified deadline will result in automatic disqualification.
7. Screenplay Submissions
Screenplays must:
Be submitted in PDF format
Be written in English
Be unproduced at the time of submission
Produced screenplays are not eligible.
8. AI-Generated Content
AI-generated content is accepted. However, the use of artificial intelligence must be clearly disclosed in the opening or closing credits of the film.
Failure to disclose AI usage will result in disqualification.
9. Submission Fees
No fee waivers are available. All submission fees are non-refundable.
Multiple submissions from the same submitter are permitted. Each entry requires a separate submission and fee.
10. Awards & Prizes
The prize amounts are guaranteed.
Audience Award – One-year Sundance Membership
Best Feature Fiction – Cash Prize: $300
Best Feature Documentary – Cash Prize: $200
Best Short Film – Cash Prize: $200
(Short Fiction / Animation / Documentary / Experimental / Student Film / Generation XYZ)
Best Slovak Short Film – Cash Prize: $200
Best Screenplay – Cash Prize: $200
(Feature Screenplay / TV Pilot / Drama / Comedy / Horror / First-Time Screenwriter)
Special Award for an Exceptional and Unique Project – Cash Prize: $200
(Best Music Video / Best Director Short / Best First-Time Director / Best Cinematography / Best Super Short / Best Female Director Short / Best Young Filmmaker – under 25 at time of production / Best Original Screenplay / Best Short Screenplay)
Additional Recognition:
Winning projects will be included in the MUBI Database.
Top three First-Time Directors will receive one free consultation from SHORTS WRAP ACADEMY.
Every winning film will receive a complimentary published interview on the official festival website.
The organizers reserve the right not to award any or all prizes.
11. Content Standards
The festival does not support or promote films containing:
Extreme violence, Pornography, Hate speech, Discriminatory content
Projects violating these principles may be disqualified without refund.
12. Eligibility - Submissions are accepted only from registered companies and professional representatives legally authorized to represent the project.
13. Promotional Rights
By submitting a project, participants grant Košice International Film Festival the right to use excerpts of up to two minutes, as well as trailers, stills, posters, and promotional materials for marketing and publicity purposes across all media platforms, including television, local networks, and the internet.
Use of full film copies for educational, promotional, awareness, or commercial purposes requires prior approval of the author.
14. Disqualification Policy
The festival reserves the right to disqualify any project that:
Violates festival rules, Fails to meet premiere requirements, Fails to deliver required screening materials on time, Contains false or misleading information, Does not disclose, AI-generated content, Fails to meet technical standards
No refunds will be issued in the event of disqualification.
15. Selection Committee
All decisions of the festival selection committee are final and cannot be appealed.
16. Program & Schedule
The organizers reserve the right to determine screening schedules, venue arrangements, award categories, and program structure.
Košice International Film Festival may change, cancel, or reschedule dates, venue, awards, or categories without prior consent of participants.
17. Legal Responsibility & Indemnification
The submitter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Košice International Film Festival, its organizers, partners, sponsors, and affiliates against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, or expenses arising from the submitted project.
In the event of a legal dispute, full legal responsibility lies with the submitting party.
18. Withdrawal Policy
Once officially selected, a film may only be withdrawn if the submitter fails to deliver required screening materials within the agreed deadline.
19. Marketing Communication
By submitting a project, participants agree to receive marketing communications from Košice International Film Festival and its partner festivals, including Prague Film Festival.