Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) is delighted to introduce the 17th edition of the International Inter-University Short Film Festival (IIUSFF).

In 2007, a handful of film activists ventured to launch the first international platform for university-going filmmakers in Bangladesh with a view to bridging the gap between homegrown and international student filmmakers – a tireless pursuit that resulted in the consolidation of this globally recognized film festival over the course of the last fourteen successful editions.

With the slogan, “Take Your Camera, Frame Your Dream.” IIUSFF has evolved into a platform where myriad diverse, young voices from across the world are heard, platformed and elevated today.

Calling all student filmmakers with compelling stories to share. Let us bring your stories to the big screen and present them to a global audience.

Submission Deadline: May 8, 2026 - June 25, 2026

Competition: In this category, short films under 15 minutes will be eligible to compete for awards.

Panorama: In this category, short films over 15 minutes are received and will be eligible for screening; however, they will not qualify for competition.

One Minute Short: This category receives short films with a duration of one minute or less.

Reels of Resistance: This category invites student filmmakers to explore urgent social and environmental issues shaping contemporary life, including inequality, displacement, conflict, migration, labor conditions, gender-based oppression, and environmental injustice. We welcome films that not only examine these realities from local or global perspectives, but also highlight resilience, solidarity, and the pursuit of a more just and protected future.

Awards & Prizes

Competition: In this category, short films under 15 minutes will be eligible to compete for awards.

Panorama: In this category, short films over 15 minutes are received and will be eligible for screening; however, they will not qualify for competition.

One Minute Short: This category receives short films with a duration of one minute or less.

Reels of Resistance: This category invites student filmmakers to explore urgent social and environmental issues shaping contemporary life, including inequality, displacement, conflict, migration, labor conditions, gender-based oppression, and environmental injustice. We welcome films that not only examine these realities from local or global perspectives, but also highlight resilience, solidarity, and the pursuit of a more just and protected future.

Zahir Raihan Best Short Award: Including a crest, certificate and a prize money equivalent to 30,000 BDT. This award is given to the director of the best short film of the festival.

Tareque Masud Best Emerging Director Award: Including a crest, certificate and a prize money equivalent to 20,000 BDT. This award is given to a Bangladeshi student filmmaker for his exemplary short film.

Best One Minute Short: Among the short films submitted under the One Minute Short category, the best film will be awarded this title, along with a crest, certificate and a prize money equivalent to 20,000 BDT

Best Reels of Resistance: The winner of this category will receive a crest, certificate and a prize money equivalent to 20,000 BDT. The selected top 50 short films under this category will be both nationally and internationally screened for a wider audience.

Honorable Mentions: The following titles apply to the short films submitted in the Competition, Panorama, One-minute Short and Reels of Resistance categories:

-Best Sound
-Best Editing
-Best Cinematography
-Best Screenplay
-Best Documentary
-Best Animation

Rules & Terms

1. By submitting a Film, the entrant ensures that he or she has obtained consent from any and all owners, creators, writers, producers, and/or other authorized representatives of the film and has read, understood, and agreed to the Terms.

2. The entrant has to be an undergraduate student or postgraduate student, currently enrolled in a University/College. Those who have completed their undergraduate studies within the previous 2 years (which means those who have completed their undergraduate studies by June 1, 2024) are also eligible.

3. By submitting the film to IIUSFF 2026, the applicant and copyright owners hereby warrant and represent that the film is wholly original and is not copied from and does not include any other work that is the subject of copyright or other protection unless such work is in the public domain or the Submitting parties have obtained any and all consents, releases, licenses and we the festival team take no responsibility in this matter.

4. The submitted film must not defame any person or violate the common law or statutory rights, including, without limitation, the rights of privacy and publicity or any other right of any person.

5. Films previously submitted to any edition of the International Inter-University Short Film Festival are not eligible.

6. There are no restrictions on the theme, topic, or genre.

7. There is no submission fee to submit films in any category.

8. Any single entrant can submit a maximum of two films in each category.

9. Submitted films must not be made available in any open access streaming site (e.g.- YouTube, Facebook) during the competition period.

10. For promotional purposes, the selected short films (whole or partly) might be published in online platforms ONLY by the Festival Authority with the participant's consent.

11. Films earlier screened in other festivals (in any country) are eligible. The entrant has to mention the names of the festivals where the film has been screened.

12. All accepted films may be screened more than once, and are scheduled at the discretion of the festival authority.

13. All entries must submit embedded English subtitles with the film. Dialogue lists are
not accepted.

14. The festival authority may accept late submissions at its sole and absolute discretion.

15. By submitting their films to this festival, entrants grant Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) and its festival partners the rights to screen their films. Selected films will be showcased in public sessions at designated festival venues and in a special online screening. The schedule and details will be shared with the respective film owners.

16. The IIUSFF authority reserves the right to rule in its sole discretion, on cases and situations not foreseen by these Terms.

17. The festival authority reserves the right to disqualify any submission if they notice any violation of the terms and conditions. They can ask for proof of studentship and authenticity anytime.

18. Please keep us informed of any changes regarding your contact information by emailing festival.iiusff@gmail.com

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
June 20, 2026

OTHERS:

After completing the registration process (via FilmFreeway or Google Forms or physical appearance), we will cross-check your status and send a confirmation email shortly.

After the Judgment procedure, we will announce the list of Officially Selected short films.

Renowned film society activists, film personalities, film scholars, film activists and filmmakers from Bangladesh and other countries will be the honorable judges of the resulting shortlist.

The Top Official Selections will be published by July 5, 2026

The Top Official Selections from all categories will be screened in several festival venues across the country and overseas.

43 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Roudan Pictures

    The communication was great, 2 of our clients film has selected here. What is good about the festival is that there is lots of different categories that film being judged and they really appreciate the hard work.

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Sevenskies Distribution

    "A wonderful festival... everything was amazing. I'm happy to have been a part of your festival. You are truly first-class... Wishing you all the best."

    August 2025
    Helpful
  • Nihat Eren Keskin

    I've tried to contact them many times. I'm used to getting information, but I never get a response. It's sad.

    August 2025
    Helpful
  • Pedro Rodrigues

    It was a great pleasure to have a film selected here from Brazil starring in Asia. The communication was great. Long live the festival!

    August 2025
    Helpful
  • Małgorzata Paszko

    Despite receiving the award, no money was transferred and no communication from the festival organizers, no one responded to e-mails or other forms of contact.

    Update: still no email or respond, no money transferred.

    April 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hello there!
    We are extremely sorry for the late as we were trying to find the most efficient way to hand over the prizemoney. This delay occurred due to the complex policy of foreign exchange. Now we are exploring the scope again to send you the prizemoney. So, if you have any International Online Payment System accounts (most preferably Paypal), please send us the details. We have sent you an email in this regard. Please check to proceed further.

    Thank you for staying with us.