Short Film Competition Rules
Iraq International Youth Film Festival / 2nd Edition – 2026
Short Film Competition Rules:
First: The Iraq International Youth Film Festival accepts in its official competition short films made by young filmmakers (under 35 years old) from Iraq and from all over the world. The selection of the final group of films and their placement within the festival’s sections is the sole responsibility of the festival management.
Second: In its second edition, the festival gives priority to films that address issues concerning youth, especially those related to water, climate change and its impacts, as well as films that cover topics such as children, education, and empowerment. The festival reserves the right to accept or reject any film for any reason without providing justification.
Third: Short films produced after 2023 are eligible for the competition. Priority will be given to films premiering for the first time worldwide or internationally.
Fourth: The duration of short films (documentary, fiction, animation, or experimental) must not exceed 60 minutes.
Fifth: Films submitted to the competition must not have been screened publicly before their official festival screening. This includes screenings in cinemas, on television, on Video-on-Demand (VOD) platforms, or on any websites. The festival reserves the right to determine a film’s eligibility.
Sixth: Films must be presented in their original language with subtitles in either Arabic or English.
Seventh: The screening copy of the film must be available in DCP format (2K/4K) with the necessary Key Delivery Messages (KDM). Apple ProRes files are also accepted via a downloadable link.
Eighth: Film submitters must guarantee that they hold the rights to present the film.
Ninth: Once a film is selected and its creators accept the festival’s invitation, it cannot be withdrawn from the program.
Tenth: The festival will cover travel expenses to and from Baghdad, as well as accommodation costs, for the director of the film selected to participate in the competition.
Awards
The jury, composed of three members, will grant the following awards and prizes in the Short Film Competition:
Golden Obelisk Award for Best First Short Fiction Film – includes the Golden Obelisk (festival emblem), a certificate, and a cash prize.
Golden Obelisk Award for Best First Short Documentary Film – includes the Golden Obelisk (festival emblem), a certificate, and a cash prize.
Golden Obelisk Award for Best Short Fiction Film – includes the Golden Obelisk (festival emblem), a certificate, and a cash prize.
Golden Obelisk Award for Best Short Documentary Film – includes the Golden Obelisk (festival emblem), a certificate, and a cash prize.
Golden Obelisk Award for Best Film of the Festival / Jury Special Prize – includes the Golden Obelisk (festival emblem), a certificate, and a cash prize.
Note: The cash prize will be awarded to the director of the winning film.
Films must be submitted through the festival’s official application form. The film submitter bears full legal responsibility for any third-party rights.