International Short Film Festival of Cyprus 2026 Announces Call for Entries
The International Short Film Festival of Cyprus (ISFFC) has officially opened its call for entries for the 2026 edition, inviting filmmakers from around the world to submit their short films for consideration.
Organised by the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Rialto Theatre, the festival will take place from October 10 to 16, 2026, in Limassol.
The ISFFC continues its mission to promote the art of cinema through a diverse and dynamic programme of short films spanning multiple genres including fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, and student categories.
All submitted films must have a maximum runtime of 30 minutes, must be Cyprus premieres, and should include English and Greek subtitles.
The festival is an official partner of the European Film Academy network and retains the right to nominate one short film for the European Film Academy Awards, offering significant international exposure.
Submission Details:
National Competition
Open to Cypriot directors residing in Cyprus or abroad, with films completed after
January 1, 2025. Entries must include at least three Cypriots in key creative
roles and feature Greek or Turkish dialogue (minimum 50%). Only one submission per
participant is permitted.
International Competition
Films are selected by the festival’s Artistic Directors. Submission fees apply:
€10 for early submissions (until April 5, 2026) and
€15 for late submissions (April 6 to May 2, 2026).
The submission deadline is May 2, 2026.
Awards and Prizes:
The festival offers several awards across both competition sections, including:
• €4,000 for Best Short Film (International and National)
• €2,500 for Best Director
• €3,000 for Best Documentary
• Additional awards for cinematography, performance, and regional filmmaking excellence
Monetary prizes will be awarded directly to the director.
Hospitality and Promotion:
Selected participants will receive accommodation support and travel subsidies. The
festival also reserves the right to use excerpts (up to 10% of total duration) of
submitted films for promotional purposes.
About ISFFC:
The International Short Film Festival of Cyprus is one of the leading film festivals in
the region, dedicated to supporting emerging and established filmmakers while fostering
international collaboration and cultural exchange through cinema.
Contact Information:
International Short Film Festival of Cyprus (ISFFC)
Rialto Theatre
19 Andrea Droussioti Str., Heroes’ Square
3040 Limassol, Cyprus
Tel: +357 25343907
Email: info@isffc.com.cy