The International Alexandria Short Film Festival (IASFF) is an international short film festival based in Alexandria, Greece, presenting contemporary short films from the Balkans and around the world.

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Competition Sections
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The International Alexandria Short Film Festival (IASFF) presents a curated selection of short films through a set of distinct competition sections, designed to reflect different cinematic forms, audiences, and stages of creative practice.

International Competition Section
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Open to short fiction films from filmmakers around the world, the International Fiction Competition showcases contemporary works distinguished by strong storytelling, clear cinematic vision, and meaningful audience engagement.

This section reflects the festival’s international character and its commitment to presenting diverse narrative voices, aesthetic approaches, and cultural perspectives within the short fiction format.

Documentary Competition Section
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The Documentary Competition is dedicated exclusively to short non-fiction films that engage with reality through observation, research, and critical inquiry.

By presenting documentary works in a distinct competitive section, IASFF creates a focused curatorial space for films that explore social, political, personal, and cultural realities, encouraging thoughtful viewing and dialogue around contemporary issues.

Animation Competition Section
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The Animation Competition presents short animated films across a wide range of techniques, styles, and narrative approaches.

This section reflects IASFF’s commitment to animation as an autonomous cinematic form, while also supporting inclusive and accessible screenings that can engage diverse audiences, including family-oriented and intergenerational viewing experiences.

Balkan Young Filmmakers Competition Section
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The Balkan Young Filmmakers Competition is dedicated to emerging directors from the Balkan region, offering a platform for new voices to present their work within an international festival context.

Open to short films in fiction, documentary, animation, and hybrid forms, this section aims to support early-career filmmakers, first and second films, and independent productions, encouraging cinematic expression shaped by diverse cultural, social, and personal perspectives across the Balkans.

Student Competition Section
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IASFF also hosts a Student Competition dedicated to secondary school students from the Imathia region, focusing on film education, workshops, and first creative encounters with cinema.

This section forms an integral part of the festival’s educational mission, encouraging early engagement with audiovisual storytelling and supporting the development of critical thinking, creativity, and cinematic literacy among young participants.

Please note: this section is not open for submissions via FilmFreeway.

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Submissions are now open for the 12th IASFF!
Deadline: July 1st 2026.

Awards & Prizes

IASFF presents awards to outstanding films across its official competition sections. All awards are accompanied by a cash prize.

Best International Short Film
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Awarded to the best film selected in the International Competition Section.
Cash Prize: €1,000

Best Balkan Young Filmmaker
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Awarded to the best film selected in the Balkan Young Filmmakers Competition Section (Tales from the Balkans), dedicated to emerging filmmakers from the Balkan region.
Cash Prize: €900

Best Documentary Short Film
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Awarded to the best film selected in the Documentary Competition Section.
Cash Prize: €600

Best Animated Short Film
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Awarded to the best film selected in the Animation Competition Section.
Cash Prize: €500

Audience Award
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Awarded to the film that receives the strongest response from the audience during the official festival screenings.
Cash Prize: €500

Additional special awards may be introduced at the discretion of the festival.

Rules & Terms

1. Eligibility

International Competition Section (Fiction)
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Open to filmmakers from all countries worldwide.

Eligible films must be fiction short films with a maximum duration of 25 minutes, including credits.

Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.

Films previously submitted to the International Alexandria Short Film Festival in any past edition are not eligible.

Balkan Young Filmmakers Competition Section
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Open exclusively to filmmakers from the following Balkan countries:
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia.

This section is addressed to film students and emerging filmmakers, including:

-students currently enrolled in public or private film schools, and/or

-filmmakers at the beginning of their professional practice,

provided that they are based in one of the countries listed above.

Eligible films must be short films with a maximum duration of 25 minutes, including credits.

Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.

Films previously submitted to the International Alexandria Short Film Festival in any past edition are not eligible.

Documentary Competition Section
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Open to short documentary films with a maximum duration of 25 minutes, including credits.

Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.

Films previously submitted to the International Alexandria Short Film Festival in any past edition are not eligible.

Animation Competition Section
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Open to short animated films across all techniques and styles, with a maximum duration of 25 minutes, including credits.

Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.

Films previously submitted to the International Alexandria Short Film Festival in any past edition are not eligible.

Student Competition Section
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The Student Competition Section is addressed to secondary school students (Gymnasium & Lyceum) from the Imathia region, and focuses on film education, workshops, and first creative experiences with cinema.

This section is not open for submissions via FilmFreeway and is organized through the festival’s educational program.

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2. Film Format & Language

Films must be submitted in digital format.

Preferred file formats are .mp4 or .mov.

If the original language of the film is not English, English subtitles are mandatory. Subtitles may be:

-embedded in the video file, or

-provided as a separate .srt file.

Accepted aspect ratios are 16:9 (widescreen) and 4:3 (standard).

Submissions in other formats, file types, or aspect ratios may not be considered, as they may not be compatible with the festival’s screening requirements.

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3. Selection, Notification & Screening

Filmmakers whose films are selected will be notified via FilmFreeway no later than August 15, 2026.

Only films officially selected by the festival will be screened as part of the IASFF programme.

By submitting a film, filmmakers grant the International Alexandria Short Film Festival the right to screen selected films:

-during the official festival dates, and

-at festival-related, non-commercial screenings and events, including initiatives such as IASFF on the Road.

All screenings will take place strictly for cultural, educational, and promotional purposes, with no commercial exploitation.

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4. Rights & Permissions

By submitting a film, filmmakers grant the International Alexandria Short Film Festival a non-exclusive, royalty-free right to use:

-film stills, and

-excerpts or clips of up to three (3) minutes,

solely for promotional and communication purposes related to the festival, including (but not limited to) the official festival trailer, press materials, website, and social media channels.

Filmmakers retain full ownership and all copyrights of their work at all times.

By submitting a film, filmmakers confirm that they hold all necessary rights and clearances for any third-party content included in their film (including music, archival footage, images, or performances), and that the submission does not infringe upon the rights of any third party.

The filmmaker agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the International Alexandria Short Film Festival and its organizers against any legal claims arising from the screening or promotional use of the submitted film.
22 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mohammed Ali Rukadikar

    Unfortunately, we couldn't attend the festival, but the festival organisers are an amazing bunch of people. They kept us in the loop at every step, and even offered accommodation for the filmmakers. Hopefully, we will see them next year with a new film. Best wishes to the festival team.

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words! We’ll be thrilled to welcome you in person at a future edition and to discover your new work. Best wishes from the whole festival team!

  • Μαρία Πιλάτη

    A wonderful festival, with warm hospitality and good organization! Very interesting film selections!

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words! It means a lot to us, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again at future editions!

  • Nikos Mpouyioukas

    Everything seemed fine. The organisers do their best to hold a nice festival in town of Alexandria.

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much for your feedback! We truly appreciate your support and are happy you enjoyed the festival.

  • Granit Dragaj

    A well-organized and welcoming festival with excellent communication and a strong selection of films. It was truly an honor for me to be part of this edition

    Thank you!

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re truly glad you felt welcome and enjoyed being part of this edition. It was an honor for us to share your work with our audience, and we hope to see more of your films in the future!

  • Ivana Jovanović

    Wonderful and diverse festival! Thank you for selecting our project "The Call". It was quite the honour to be part of your festival!

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much for your kind words !