With every new edition of the Iraq International Youth Film Festival, our belief grows that cinema is a means of artistic expression, a tool for knowledge, dialogue and awareness, and a bridge between peoples, cultures and generations.
The third edition comes at an important moment for Iraq, when the need for culture and the arts as a soft power is greater than ever: a force that strengthens dialogue, tolerance and openness, and gives young people room to take an active part in shaping their present and future. We therefore continue working to make the festival an Iraqi platform with an international presence, reaching out from Baghdad to the world and carrying the contemporary cultural image of Iraq.
This festival began with a simple yet ambitious idea: that young people in Iraq, the Arab world and beyond deserve a platform where they can tell their stories and find an audience that listens to their questions and their vision of the future. Today, after the success of its previous editions, the festival has become a real meeting place for young creators to exchange experience and ideas.
The rapid development of the film industry and digital technologies places a greater responsibility on us to support the new generation of filmmakers, not only through screenings and competition, but through training, professional networking and creating opportunities that help them turn their talent into sustainable creative projects.
I thank all the filmmakers who chose to be part of this experience, as well as our partners, supporters, volunteers and the artistic and administrative committees who keep working with faith and passion to make this cultural project a success.
Together we believe that cinema can open new windows of understanding and knowledge, and give young people the chance to tell their stories and shape their future.
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. Each year it brings together young filmmakers, audiences, critics and film professionals for a programme of screenings, competitions, workshops and talks.
We look for bold, inventive films that reflect fresh perspectives and tell moving human stories. The festival gives participants the chance to screen their work to a diverse audience, connect with filmmakers and cultural institutions, and join a growing international network of young creators.
In its previous editions the festival has drawn entries from dozens of countries, affirming its commitment to supporting the next generation of filmmakers and to fostering cultural dialogue through cinema.
If you believe cinema can cross borders and that new voices deserve to be heard, Baghdad is waiting for you.
Join the Iraq International Youth Film Festival and be part of a film movement growing with confidence from Iraq to the world, where new talent is shaping the future of cinema.
From Baghdad to the world… cinema creates dialogue.
The jury presents the Golden Obelisk, an award certificate and a cash prize in the following categories:
In its previous editions the festival has drawn entries from dozens of countries, affirming its commitment to supporting the next generation of filmmakers and fostering cultural dialogue through cinema.
Submissions of short fiction, documentary and animated films for the third edition are now open.
Submission deadline:
