Welcome to the 17th. Edition of SAMA International Film Festival Stockholm, Sweden 02-04 October 2026
Call for Film Submissions - 17th SAMA International Film Festival
Submission Deadline: June 15, 2026
The SAMA International Film Festival proudly announces the call for entries for its 17th edition. As a distinguished international platform for cinematic excellence, the Festival celebrates artistic innovation, cultural dialogue, and the transformative power of storytelling.
The Festival is a competitive event. Award-winning films will receive the Festival Statue, presented by an independent jury composed of acclaimed national and international filmmakers, artists, and film critics.
Films will be evaluated in two principal sections:
Afghanistan Cinema
International Cinema
Awards will be presented in both sections for:
Best Feature Film
Best Documentary
Best Short Film
Best Animation
The Festival seeks to honor works that demonstrate artistic distinction, creative vision, and meaningful engagement with contemporary global narratives.
Eligibility
The Festival welcomes submissions across all cinematic forms and genres, including:
Feature and short fiction films
Documentary and non-fiction works
Animation
Experimental cinema
Student productions
World Cinema Section
The World Cinema section is open to filmmakers worldwide without restriction on budget, production scale, or professional experience. The Festival embraces both emerging voices and established filmmakers, recognizing cinema as a collaborative and evolving art form.
SAMAIFF is committed to discovering new talent and fostering innovative cinematic expression.
Only films completed after January 1, 2024, are eligible for consideration.
Rules and Requirements
Multiple submissions are permitted; each entry must be accompanied by a separate submission form.
Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles. Entries without subtitles will not be considered.
Entrants must secure all necessary rights and permissions prior to submission and provide documentation if requested.
Selected films must grant the Festival the right to present the work for public screenings during the Festival, including in-venue and online presentations, as well as related non-commercial events.
Filmmakers are encouraged to indicate whether their films may be included in the Festival’s traveling programs.
All image formats and aspect ratios are accepted. Festival venue audio requirements specify mono mix on two channels.
Preview and Screening Materials
Films must be submitted in one of the following formats:
High-resolution digital file
Blu-ray
Secure downloadable link
All submitted materials will become part of the SAMAIFF archive, maintained at the Festival Resource Centre for non-commercial screenings and academic research. Materials will not be returned.
Submission Guidelines
The Festival welcomes submissions from diverse cinematic voices, including:
Afghan Filmmakers Worldwide
Filmmakers of Afghan origin or heritage, regardless of geographic location.
Filmmakers from Central Asia
Including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and neighboring regions.
Filmmakers from South Asia
Filmmakers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, and the broader South Asian region.
Filmmakers from Around the World
The Festival embraces filmmakers from all countries, cultures, and artistic traditions, reflecting the richness and diversity of global cinema.
International Collaborations
International filmmakers presenting works about Afghanistan or created in collaboration with Afghan filmmakers are encouraged to submit. The Festival actively supports cross-cultural dialogue and creative partnerships.
Through these categories, SAMAIFF seeks to amplify diverse perspectives and celebrate cinema as a universal language that transcends borders.
Submission Process
Films may be submitted digitally.
Accepted formats: HDV, HD, 2K, and 4K
Digital Submission Options
WeTransfer
Upload your film via WeTransfer and email transfer details to: info@samaiff.com
Vimeo Screener (Preferred)
Submit a secure Vimeo link with password protection.
Include access details in the entry form.
Only Vimeo screeners will be accepted.
Private Download Link
Provide a secure downloadable link from a protected server, including all necessary access information.
Multiple files may be uploaded (large files should be compressed). A confirmation email will be issued upon successful submission.
Additional Terms
All promotional materials submitted become the property of the Festival and may be used for non-commercial promotional purposes.
A completed entry form is required for each submission.
Multiple submissions from the same director or production company are permitted, provided each entry includes a separate form.
Filmmaker can submit their films via submission links bellow.
Thank you for your support and solidarity.
Please click on the links below for Entry Form: