FILM-ED is an International Short Film Festival focused on showcasing the best student films from across the world. The festival aims to contribute to the continued development of filmmakers by providing a platform for them to share their stories to a wide audience on an international stage, and invaluable feedback on their work from leading industry figures from the Middle Eastern Region.

FILM-ED is a quarterly festival, with Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter editions. We are based in Dubai, UAE and are proud to be in partnership with SAE Institute Dubai and Cinema Akil.

Awards & Prizes

Upon selection, participating films will compete for a variety of awards in different categories, which are:

Quarterly Awards

Film Competition:
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Best Sci-Fi Short*
Best Horror Short*
Best Noir Short*
Best Drama Short*
Best Comedy Short*
Best Fantasy Short*
Best Documentary
Best Animated Short
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Art & Wardrobe
Jury Special Mention

* Genre awards are dependent upon submissions.

Screenplay Competition: 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place.

Winners in these categories are then eligible to compete for the annual awards as follows:

Annual Awards
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Grand Prize (Golden Penguin)
Audience Award
Best Sci-Fi Short*
Best Horror Short*
Best Noir Short*
Best Drama Short*
Best Comedy Short*
Best Fantasy Short*
Best Documentary
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Art & Wardrobe
Jury Special Mention

* Genre awards are dependent upon submissions.

Screenplay Competition: 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place.

Laurels will be provided to all winners of the quarterly and annual editions, and trophies will be available only to the winners of the annual edition.

Award winners from each of our editions will compete for our annual accolades, with all nominated films screened and awards announced during our annual screening event at Cinema Akil in Dubai, UAE.

The tentative date for our next screening event is January 31st, 2020.

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms:

1 - FILM-ED is open ONLY to student productions - this includes films made within the course of an accredited College/University course, Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent), a Master's Degree (or equivalent), or a continuing education program.

2 - We only accept films that are 30 minutes or less in total duration (including opening and closing credits).

3 - All submitted films with dialogue other than English must be subtitled in English.

4 - We have no premiere restrictions.

5 - You are free to submit the same film to different editions of the festival, but only once to each edition.

6 - All submitted films much have been produced a maximum of three years prior to the year of the festival edition.

7 - FILM-ED reserves the right to reject submissions without a refund of the submission fee if they do not meet the above criteria.

8 - Selected films must be submitted as high-quality ProRes (MOV / MP4) files.

3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Gideon van Eeden

    What an exciting new festival, and Yazan is a very warm gentleman who clearly has filmmakers best interests at heart. Hoping the annual edition is a huge success!

    September 2019
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  • Yangon Media Professionals

    It was great opportunity that we could join your festival. Thank you.

    June 2019
    Helpful
  • Ayat Asadirahbar

    Congratulations on holding your good festival.
    Please put the selected films and the prize on the Festival's Site.
    Thank you.

    March 2019
    Helpful
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for submitting!