Organized By
International Call for Short Films
Al Kafaāt Film Festival — where university creativity meets world cinema.
About the Festival
AlKafaāt UFF is the Al Kafaāt University Film Festival for Short Films, hosted by the Georges Ghanem School of Arts and advertising at the Choucry Anis Fakhoury Audiovisual Department, at Al Kafaāt University in Ain Saadeh, Lebanon. The festival carries forward the spirit that defines Al Kafaāt itself: the acceptance of, and belief in, the other who is different, in conviction, in colour, in origin, and above all in potential and in ability. It is the soul of the Al Kafaāt village, where people of every ability live and learn together.
AlKafaāt UFF brings that lived philosophy to the screen as Al Kafaāt marks seventy years of giving, education, and the respect of difference, connecting university culture with global storytelling through public screenings, masterclasses, filmmaker Q&As, and an awards ceremony judged by a distinguished jury.
“Difference is not a distance to be measured, but a richness to be welcomed.”
Programme
Eligibility
AlKafaāt UFF 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 AlKafaāt 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 · Ain Saadeh, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
Jury
Sabine Sidawi is a Beirut-based film producer and founder of Orjouane Productions, established in 2007. She has produced and co-produced more than 30 fiction and documentary films screened and awarded at international festivals. Her credits include Mother Valley, Beirut: Eye of the Storm, 3000 Nights, Makhdoumin, Parisienne, and Carlos. She also teaches film production and has participated in international workshops as an expert in Middle Eastern film production.
Bahij Hojeij is a Lebanese film director, screenwriter, producer, and cinema educator. He studied philosophy and theatre at the Lebanese University and pursued cinema studies in France. His work includes documentaries and feature films such as Ring of Fire, Here Comes the Rain, and Good Morning. He has also taught cinema at the Institute of Fine Arts at the Lebanese University.
Samir Habchi is a Lebanese film director and writer with a long-standing career in cinema and audiovisual production. His filmography includes Meyl, The Tornado, and Beirut Open City (Doukhan Bila Nar). His work has addressed Lebanese social and post-war contexts through a distinctive cinematic approach.
Georges Khabbaz is a prominent Lebanese actor, writer, theatre director, producer, and university professor. With a career spanning theatre, television, and cinema, he is known for major works including Under the Bombs, Ghadi, Waynon, and Capernaum, where he is credited among the screenwriters. His artistic work is widely recognized for its humanistic and social dimension.
Milad Tauk is a Beirut-based cinematographer and director of photography with extensive experience in feature films, television, documentaries, advertising, and cultural productions. His cinematography credits include Beirut Open City, Good Morning, and Hassan Al Masry. His body of work reflects a long-standing contribution to Lebanese and regional visual storytelling.
Previous Editions
AlKafaāt UFF has established itself as a credible platform for short-film cinema in Lebanon. Follow our Instagram for curated highlights and archival content.
Partnership
AKUFF brings short cinema to life in the spirit that defines Al Kafaāt itself, the acceptance of, and belief in, others who differ in conviction, in colour, in origin, and above all in potential and in ability. As Al Kafaāt marks seventy years of giving, education, and respect for diversity, partnering with AKUFF places your brand alongside a respected university, an international community of filmmakers, and a public message of inclusion that audiences and employees admire.
Headline partner status, "AKUFF 2026, presented by …" with prime on-screen advertising.
Premium visibility with an on-screen spot and a named segment.
Strong presence across key festival materials and the venue.
Supporter recognition and community goodwill.
A meaningful way for smaller businesses and friends of the university to be part of AKUFF.
Not every partnership is cash. Contributions of venue, catering, printing, hospitality, prizes or media are valued, recognised, and matched to an equivalent sponsorship tier.
Where Your Brand Appears
In-Kind Opportunities
Contact
Questions about submissions, press accreditation, or partnerships? Reach the festival team directly.
filmfestival@aku.edu.lbOrganized By