<Deadline>
Standard Deadline: April 20th, 2026
Extended Deadline (Children/Youth Directors only): May 26, 2026
Festival Dates: September 10-15, 2026
<Eligibility and Requirements>
* International Entrants ONLY (for Korean Entrants refer to #4)
1. Films completed after 1st January 2024 for Feature Competition & Short Competition & Animation Competition and films completed after 1st January 2025 for Children’s Competition.
2. Films have never been submitted to SICFF before.
3. SICFF accepts films that deal with 'children, youth & family' issues and themes regardless of genre.
4.Submission Process:
- KOREAN ENTRANTS must submit via the registration process posted on the SICFF website (http://entry.sicff.kr/).
-INTERNATIONAL ENTRANTS must submit via FilmFreeway (https://filmfreeway.com/sicff).
5. Director’s Age & Category Restrictions:
- International Children’s Competition: Open to directors born in 2013 or later (Ages 13 and under).
-(New) Korean Youth Competition: Open to directors born between 2008 and 2012 (Ages 14 to 18). This category is exclusively open to those currently living in South Korea, regardless of nationality.
6. 'Feature' (equal to or longer than 40 min) / 'Short' (less than 40 min)
7. There is no entry fee.
<Selection & Notification>
1. Competition Section: The festival's Selection Committee will select films for the competition section and the entrants will be notified of the results individually. After the notification, it cannot be withdrawn from the program. Final winners of each competition section will be selected by the SICFF Juries during the festival and will be announced at the festival's closing ceremony.
2. Non-Competition Section: Submitted films also can be screened in the non-competition section. In this case, SICFF is responsible for notifying such information to the entrant and get permission in advance.
<Subtitles>
If the dialogue is not English, the film needs to be subtitled in English. Additionally, all entrants must provide the festival with a script (including the exact time code for each dialogue) either in English or Korean. SICFF reserves the right to reject entries that do not have English subtitles.
< Promotional & Educational Use>
1. Promotion Clips: SICFF may use promotional Video clips submitted by entrants to promote the festival. In the absence of such clip, SICFF can make its own clip for promotional purposes.
2. Educational & Non-Profit Screening: Selected films from the SICFF, provide the submitter has given prior consent, may be screened for non-profit and educational purposes (e.g., touring screenings at daycare centers/preschools).
3. Screening of Award-Winning Films: Award-winning films of the SICFF may be screened for educational purposes targeting elementary and middle public school students located in Seoul. For these screenings, the festival will provide advance notice regarding the date, venue, and number of screenings.
<Use of AI Technology & Restrictions>
1. Definition of AI Use: ‘AI Use’ refers to the creation or modification of assets-including images, video, sound, and music-using generative AI tools to be incorporated into the film.
2. Usage Limit & Disclosure: To ensure the originality of the work, AI-generated content must not exceed 10% of the total running time. Entrants must accurately disclose the specific tools used, the exact time codes (start/end points), and the overall percentage of AI content in the entry form.
3. Compliance & Responsibility: Failure to disclose AI use or any infringement of rights(copyright/portrait) may result in disqualification, cancellation of awards, and full legal liability being held by the entrant; the festival may request supporting evidence (e.g., original sources or prompt history) if necessary.
<General>
This regulation is valid once the initial application of a film is submitted to SICFF, which contains the approval of the filmmaker or his/her signing representative. SICFF reserves the right to make an independent decision on matters not concerning the above or where no decision has been specified.
