3rd edition · Baghdad6 April to 10 April 2027
Iraq InternationalYouth Film Festival
Iraq's first international film festival dedicated to youth cinema, and a growing platform for discovering new cinematic voices from the region and the world.
Submissions open until 31 December 2026
About the festival
An Iraqi platform with an international presence
The Iraq International Youth Film Festival is the first international film festival in Iraq dedicated to youth cinema, and a growing platform for discovering new cinematic voices from the region and the world.
The festival takes place in Baghdad, a city reclaiming its place as a cultural and creative centre of the Middle East. Every year it brings together young filmmakers, audiences, critics and industry professionals in a program of screenings, competitions, workshops and talks.
We look for bold, innovative films that reflect new visions and tell moving human stories. The festival gives participants the chance to show their work to a diverse audience, connect with filmmakers and cultural institutions, and join a growing international network of young creators.
If you believe cinema can cross borders and that new voices deserve to be heard, Baghdad is waiting for you.
3rd edition
Baghdad is waiting for you
The festival welcomes young directors, producers and filmmakers from around the world to take part in its third edition, in the belief that cinema strengthens cultural dialogue, discovers new talent and supports young creative voices.
- Baghdad, Iraq
- 6 April – 10 April 2027
- Submission deadline
- 31 December 2026
- Selected films due
- 1 March 2027
Festival sections
- 01Short Narrative Film Competition
- 02Short Documentary Film Competition
- 03Short Animation Film Competition
- 04Official Program – Out of Competition
Awards
The Golden Obelisk Award
The jury presents the Golden Obelisk, an award certificate and a cash prize in the following categories:
Best First Film
IQD 3,000,000
Best Short Documentary
IQD 3,000,000
Best Short Narrative Film
IQD 3,000,000
Best Iraqi Film
IQD 3,000,000
Best Screenplay
IQD 1,500,000
Best Actor
IQD 1,500,000
Best Actress
IQD 1,500,000
Best Cinematography
IQD 1,500,000
The cash prize is shared equally between the film's director and lead producer.
A word from the festival president
This festival began with a simple and ambitious idea: that young Iraqi, Arab and international filmmakers deserve a platform to tell their stories and to find an audience that listens to their questions and their vision of the future. Today, after the success of the previous editions, the festival has become a real meeting place for young creators to exchange experiences and ideas.
Together we believe that cinema can open new windows of understanding and knowledge, and give young people the chance to make their stories and their future.
Past editions
From the first edition to today
Across its previous editions the festival has attracted entries from dozens of countries, confirming its commitment to the new generation of filmmakers and to cultural dialogue through cinema.
Festival atmosphere
Moments from Baghdad
Is your film ready?
Submissions for short narrative, documentary and animation films are now open for the third edition.