Festival Du Film Académie ZARIFA (1)

Festival start: 19 June 2026      Festival end: 21 June 2026

Zarifa Film Festival is an independent international event founded in Paris and dedicated to celebrating artistic excellence in cinema.

The festival is created in memory of Zarifa, and the inaugural edition carries the theme:
“Turning Great Grief Into Great Work.”

The 2026 edition will take place in Paris:

• June 19 — Short Film Program
• June 20–21 — Feature Film Program

The festival aims to highlight powerful cinematic voices from around the world and to foster cultural dialogue through the Zarifa Art Academy.

A total of 10 short films and 10 feature films will be officially selected for competition.

Jury Structure:

• Feature Films: 5 appointed jury members.
• Short Films: 3 appointed jury members.

All jury members are selected by the Zarifa Academy. They must have no personal or professional involvement with any submitted film. Jury decisions are final and confidential.

The Zarifa Film Festival awards its official Golden Statuettes (Motherly Statues) and Academy Golden Plaques to recognize outstanding achievements in filmmaking. These awards are reserved exclusively for genuine winners selected by the Academy.

The festival welcomes filmmakers from every culture and background, with a commitment to artistic integrity, fairness, and respect for all participants.

ZARIFA FILM FESTIVAL — OFFICIAL AWARDS
Feature Film Awards — Golden (Motherly) Statuettes (9 Awards)

• Golden Motherly Statuette — Best Feature Film
• Golden Director Statuette — Best Director
• Golden Screenplay Statuette — Best Screenplay
• Golden Performance Statuette — Best Actor
• Golden Performance Statuette — Best Actress
• Golden Cinematography Statuette — Best Cinematography
• Golden Editing Statuette — Best Editing
• Golden Original Score Statuette — Best Original Score
• Golden Cavalier Statuette — Courage in Cinema

Zarifa Academy Golden Plaques

• Best Supporting Actor
• Best Supporting Actress
• Best Visual Effects
• Best Sound Recording
• Best Sound Design
• Best Makeup & Prosthetics
• Best Production Design
• Best Costume Design
• Audience Award
• Special Jury Prize

⸻

Short Film Awards

Golden Zarifa Statuette

• Best Short Film

Certificates of Merit

• Best Screenplay
• Best Actress
• Best Actor
• Best Cinematography
• Best Film Score
• Best Editing

All selected short films receive a Certificate of Participation.

Rules and Regulations:

• The Festival Director holds final authority over all festival matters. Appointed by the Zarifa Board, the Director oversees programming, jury selection, festival planning, and the closing ceremony.

• Pornographic content, or works promoting fascism, racism, gender discrimination, or religious sectarianism, will be disqualified and permanently banned from the festival.

• Once submitted, films cannot be withdrawn from the selection or judging process.

• Submission implies full acceptance of all festival rules.

• Feature Films:

Must have a minimum running time of 75 minutes, including credits.

A total of 10 feature films will be selected for competition.

• Short Films:
Must not exceed 30 minutes, including credits.

A total of 10 short films will be selected for competition.

• Selection Committee:
A panel appointed by the Zarifa Academy reviews all submissions and nominates films for competition. Committee members may not have any film in competition.

• Jury Process — Feature Films:
Feature films are judged by five appointed jury members, selected by the Zarifa Academy. Jurors must not have any personal, financial, or professional involvement with competing films.

• Jury Process — Short Films:
Short films are evaluated by an independent jury of three appointed members. Jurors must not have any conflict of interest with the films in competition.

• No award may be shared equally between two or more films.

• Judging follows the official Zarifa Academy evaluation guidelines. All jury deliberations remain confidential.

• All information provided in the submission form must be accurate. Selection and evaluation are based solely on the submitted materials.