Gandhara Independent Film Festival (7)

Festival start: 18 September 2026      Festival end: 27 September 2026

Gandhara Independent Film Festival 2026, 7th Edition (Online & In-Person)

STELLAR STORIES, ONE FESTIVAL

GIFF 2026 commits to curating some of the most exceptional films from around the globe. GIFF began with its first virtual edition in 2020 to allow a larger audience to experience a diverse range of films, particularly the cinephiles in Pakistan who were starved of a curated line-up of films which exemplified stellar storytelling. Over the last 6 years, GIFF has provided filmmakers a chance to reach out to a global audience and showcase their talent internationally.

The 2026 edition is imminent, and submissions are open. We are looking forward to riding the waves of emotions brought forth through your remarkable stories.

*Submissions are free.

Gandhara Independent Film Festival 2026 is excited to announce that this year, the competitive section will be open to filmmakers from around the globe.

Awards (Pakistan and Globally)
- Best Film Award Short
- Best Film Award Feature
- Best Director Award
- Best Cinematography Award
- Best Screenplay Award
- Best Editing Award
- Best Trailer Award
- Best Sound Design Award
- Audience Choice Award
- Special Mention Award

** Certificates & Official Laurel for all submissions

GIFF looks forward to seeing all the submissions and welcoming you to the 7th edition of this amazing experience that is “Gandhara Independent Film Festival, 2026”.

Criteria & Categories

The festival is open to submissions in the following category: Narrative Shorts.

Submissions must adhere to the following maximum duration (including end credits):

* Narrative Shorts: up to 45 minutes

All non-English language films must include embedded English subtitles.

Subtitles should be clear, legible, and accurately timed.

The participating films of the festival will be selected by the festival programmers. All selections will be posted on our website & social media pages.


Content Guidelines

1. The content of the submitted film(s) should be creative and completely original and should not infringe on any copyrights or any other rights of any third parties.

2. Under no circumstances should the content of the films contain any offensive language, violence, religious content or hate speech, defamatory content, politically sensitive topics, material or comment, or sexual innuendos or nudity.

3. Any film containing one or more of the above-mentioned will be disqualified.


Submission Rules

1. All films must have been made from 2023 onwards.

2. All submissions must be sent to our submission platform via Festhome.

3. Please include a press kit (short trailer, stills, logline, 25-word synopsis, cast, and crew bios) where possible, to help speed up the process and ensure that you read all the Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the page before making your submission.


Promotional Material

The festival may use up to 10 percent of the entry’s running time for promotional purposes.


Terms and Conditions

By entering the 7th edition of Gandhara Independent Film Festival 2026, you agree to follow its rules and guidelines.

1 - The festival theme is open.

2 - There is no entry fee to submit a film.

3 - All films must have been made from 2023 onwards.

4 - The film should contain embedded subtitles in English.

5 - There is no restriction on the number of films that can be submitted by an individual or an entity. However, each submitted film requires a separate submission form.

6 - By sending your submission to participate in our festival, you agree that your trailer & posters will be uploaded on our website and our social network pages.

7 - The festival has the right to screen these films at any collaboration festival or media.

8 - All copyrights and intellectual properties belonging to their authors will be properly quoted.

9 - The festival will not bear any expenses for participants nor provide any screening fees.

10 - Submitting your film to the GIFF is not a guarantee of selection.

11 - GIFF will communicate all details through emails only. Please provide an authorized email and respond to emails ASAP. No phone call inquiries.

12 - All filmmakers will be notified via email of acceptance.

13 - The decision of the festival programmers is final and not questionable.

14 - The festival organizers reserve the right to suspend and/or modify the festival if necessary.