Submit Films
Deadline for submission is May 31 - 2024

The 15^th Festival is a competition event and the winners will receive the Festival’s Statue. A jury comprising domestic and international filmmakers and critics shall judge the films in two Afghanistan and international sections. In both Films Section, the Festival Statues and other prizes shall be awarded to the best feature film, best documentary, best short film and best animation.

ELIGIBILITY

• All genres – short fiction/fiction feature, non-fiction, animation, experimental and student films – are welcome.
• For entry In World Cinema section there’s no limitation, the festival is open to everyone regardless of budget and experience. We consider the films submitted for each category for all individual categories. In this section, SAMAIFF’s aim is to discover new talent, films, and filmmakers with potential, and to recognize the collaborative work this art form is funded on.

• SAMAIFF is a juried competition, works will be considered for competition only if they were completed after January 1, 2021.

RULES

• Participants may send multiple entries, but separate forms are required for each entry.

            Films made in languages other than English are required to be subtitled in English and will not

            be accepted for pre-selection process without subtitles in English.

• All required permissions from copyright holders should be acquired before entering the work into the SAMA’s International Film Festival and copies of the permissions shared with us.
• If a film is selected, the copyright holders of the film should permit free-of-cost public screenings at the festival and at any related events.
• Please specify if we have permission for your film to be a part of the traveling packages.

             All image formats and aspect ratios will be accepted. The sound requirement of our festival venue is that it be mono mixed on two                       channels.

PREVIEW & SCREENING

Please send your film in a high resolution file/Blu Ray or downloadable link at this stage. All DVDs/.mov files will not be returned. All DVDs/mov files/Blu Ray will be part of the SAMAIFF archive, to be kept in the SAMAIFF Resource Centre, for non-commercial screenings and viewing for academic purposes.

SUBMISSION Guidelines

         The deadline for submitting the films to the Festival Secretariat is May 31st. 2024.

         We welcome film submissions from a diverse range of creators, including:

• Afghan Filmmakers Worldwide: Filmmakers of Afghan descent, regardless of their current global location, are invited to submit their compelling works.

• Filmmakers from Central Asia Countries: Filmmakers hailing from the countries of Central Asia, such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Russia are encouraged to share their unique perspectives.

• Foreign Filmmakers with Films about Afghanistan or in Collaboration with Afghan Filmmakers:
  International filmmakers are invited to submit films that either focus on Afghanistan or result from collaborative efforts with Afghan filmmakers. This inclusive approach aims to showcase diverse narratives and foster cross-cultural cinematic partnerships.

             
            These guidelines are designed to embrace a broad spectrum of voices and stories, reflecting the rich tapestry of global filmmaking. We               look forward to receiving your submissions and celebrating the creativity and diversity within the world of cinema.

• Participants may send in their films directly by post, email or by sending their URL to the Secretariat at the addresses below.
• The films shall be submitted in any of the HDV, HD, 2K and 4K formats. See the entry form
• Films can be submitted to SAMAIFF digitally via WeTransfer link, or by providing the festival screening committee with access to a secure online VIMEO link.  You may also provide us with a private downloadable link from a secured server.
• http://wetransfer.com. Follow the onscreen instructions for the file transfer, and And email to info@samaiff.com 
• To submit your film as a secure online VIMEO link: Please provide a SECURE online link to the film on the VIMEO website platform.  All appropriate passwords must be included on the entry form.  Please note:  Only VIMEO online screeners will be accepted.  Online link submissions should be emailed to info@samaiff.com 
• To submit your film via a private (secure and downloadable) on link:  Please provide a secure online like to the film screener download page.  All appropriate passwords must be included on the entry form.  Online link submissions and entry forms should be mailed to info@samaiff.com. ALL SUBMITTED PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS become the property of the Sama International Film Festival. These materials cannot be returned. By submitting this material and the release form, you acknowledge SAMAIFF’s right to copy any material for the festival’s non-commercial use only.

• You may upload multiple files at once (please zip larger files before upload).  You receive an automatic email confirmation when your    film is successfully transferred or submitted.
• A completed entry form must be submitted with each project. Multiple submissions by the same director and/or Production Company are accepted, but each film must be accompanied by a separate completed 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:

Film Entry Form