Jury
Meet the Jury
Sabine Sidawi
Film Producer
Bahij Hojeij
Film Director and Screenwriter
Samir Habchi
Film Director
Georges Khabbaz
Actor
Milad Tauk
Cinematographer
International Call for Short Films
The AKU Film Festival — where university creativity meets world cinema.
About the Festival
AKUFF is the AKU International Film Festival for Short Films — an annual celebration of short-form cinema hosted by the Department of Arts, Audiovisual & Theatre at the Al Kafaat University (AKU) in Ain Saadeh, Lebanon.
Our mission is to foster emerging cinematic voices from Lebanon and worldwide, connecting university culture with global storytelling through screenings, masterclasses, and dialogue.
Programme
Eligibility
AKUFF welcomes submissions from a broad creative community. If you make films, this festival is for you.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students currently enrolled in film, arts, or related programmes at any university.
Filmmakers who have graduated within the past three years and are building their early professional body of work.
Independent creators from Lebanon and worldwide who are developing their cinematic voice outside formal institutions.
Established independent directors working outside the studio system, at any stage of their career.
Categories & Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible Categories | Fiction, Documentary, Animation, Experimental, Student Film |
| Maximum Duration | Short films up to 30 minutes (including credits) |
| Production Date | Films produced from 2023 onwards are eligible |
| Language & Subtitles | All languages accepted; English or Arabic subtitles required for non-English/Arabic films |
| Rights & Permissions | Submitting director must hold or have cleared all rights, music licences, and authorisations |
| Submission Platform | All entries submitted exclusively through FilmFreeway |
Key Dates
Venue
All festival screenings, masterclasses, and the awards ceremony take place at the AKU Auditorium on the Al Kafaat University campus in Ain Saadeh, Lebanon.
The auditorium is a fully equipped cinema-standard screening space and will host public audiences throughout the three festival days — free to attend.
Al Kafaat University (AKU) · Ain Saadeh, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
Jury
Previous Editions
AKUFF has established itself as a credible platform for short-film cinema in Lebanon. Follow our Instagram for curated highlights and archival content.
Contact
Questions about submissions, press accreditation, or partnerships? Reach the festival team directly.
filmfestival@aku.edu.lb