The Seoul International New Wave Film Awards (SINFA) is an international film festival that seeks out and spotlights new currents at the leading edge of a fast-changing visual era.

The forms that film can take are expanding even now — from the horizontal screen of the cinema to the vertical screen held in the palm of a hand, to works born of collaboration with AI tools. SINFA sees these shifts not as a threat, but as possibility.

At the same time, we hold deep respect for the legacy of film language built up over more than a century. Just as the new waves of the past did, we believe that a new wave always begins from an understanding of, and an affection for, the generations that came before.

What SINFA pays attention to is not the tool or the aspect ratio. It is the story held within the work, the perspective, and the sincerity of the creator. Here, the differences between live action and animation, camera and AI, horizontal and vertical do not become boundaries. Works made in all these different ways meet their audience from the same starting line.

SINFA accepts both horizontal and vertical works across five categories: short film, short animation, short documentary, music video, and series. We welcome creators who take on new forms, and creators who breathe new life into familiar ones alike.

Wherever in the world you are, whatever tool you use, whatever screen you tell your story on — we'd love to meet your new wave in Seoul.

Awards & Prizes

In each of its five categories, SINFA selects a best work in both the horizontal (16:9) and vertical (9:16) formats.

▼ Short Film
- Best Short Film — Horizontal
- Best Short Film — Vertical

▼ Short Animation
- Best Short Animation — Horizontal
- Best Short Animation — Vertical

▼ Short Documentary
- Best Documentary — Horizontal
- Best Documentary — Vertical

▼ Series
- Best Series — Horizontal
- Best Series — Vertical

▼ Music Video
- Best Music Video — Horizontal
- Best Music Video — Vertical

Rules & Terms

Submitting an entry is considered full agreement to these terms. Please review the following carefully before submitting.

1. Eligibility
SINFA is open to all creators worldwide, regardless of nationality or region. There is no restriction on year of production, and works already released online or elsewhere are also eligible.

2. Categories & Running Time
SINFA runs five categories, and every category accepts both horizontal (16:9) and vertical (9:16) works. Running times include credits.

Short films and short animations must run 30 minutes or less, and short documentaries 40 minutes or less. The series category is based on a combined running time of 40 minutes or less (two or more episodes), and music videos must run 10 minutes or less.

The series category is for serialized works made up of two or more episodes. Please submit a continuous run beginning with the first episode, totaling 40 minutes or less. There is no limit on the number of episodes, so a short vertical drama might include more episodes and a longer horizontal series fewer — arrange your episodes to show your work to its best advantage within the 40-minute limit.

3. Video & Audio Specifications

- Aspect ratio: 16:9 for horizontal works, 9:16 for vertical works. The two formats are judged on completely equal terms; please apply to the category that matches your work's format (horizontal or vertical).
- Resolution: a minimum of 1920×1080 (Full HD) is recommended for horizontal works, and a minimum of 1080×1920 for vertical works.
- File format: MP4 or MOV (H.264 codec recommended).
- Audio: stereo. Dialogue must be clearly audible and free of excessive noise.
- Entries are received via a FilmFreeway online screener (video upload or streaming link).

4. Use of AI
SINFA welcomes works made with AI tools equally across all categories. The use of AI is no disadvantage whatsoever and is judged without distinction from works made by traditional methods. Please briefly note whether and how AI was used in your work in the Director's Statement, and we will take it into account during judging.

5. Language & Subtitles
Works with Korean or English dialogue may be submitted as is. Works in any other language must include English subtitles.

6. How to Submit
Entries are accepted only through FilmFreeway (filmfreeway.com).

7. Multiple Submissions
There is no limit on the number of works you may submit. However, each work must be submitted separately.

8. Entry Fees
Entry fees are non-refundable. No refund will be given regardless of whether a work is selected, or if an entry is voluntarily withdrawn.

9. Copyright & Rights
Entrants must warrant that they hold the rights to, or have obtained proper authorization for, every element included in the work — music, screenplay, footage, and so on. In particular, the music video category accepts only works for which the use of the track has been approved by the recording artist. All responsibility for rights matters rests with the entrant, and SINFA bears no liability for them.

10. Consent to Promotional Use
By submitting, you are deemed to consent to SINFA's use of your work's poster, still images, synopsis, trailer excerpts, and similar materials for non-commercial festival promotion — on the official website, FilmFreeway, social media, press releases, and the like.

11. Judging Results
All decisions regarding selection and awards are final and not subject to appeal.

12. Personal Information
Entrants' personal contact details are kept confidential and not shared with third parties. By submitting, you are deemed to consent to the processing of your submitted information for festival operations and communication.

13. Changes to Terms
SINFA may amend these terms as operational needs require, and submission is considered agreement to the full terms, including any changes.