Safari International Film Festival (2)

Festival start: 25 November 2027      Festival end: 27 November 2027

Safari International Film Festival (SIFF) is a global celebration of cinema, storytelling, and cultural expression, created to connect African filmmakers with audiences, filmmakers, and creative voices from around the world.

Rooted in Africa and open to the world, SIFF provides a platform for bold, original, and meaningful films across diverse genres, cultures, and filmmaking traditions. The festival celebrates emerging filmmakers alongside established voices, creating opportunities for discovery, dialogue, collaboration, and professional growth.

Through film screenings, filmmaker conversations, workshops, networking opportunities, and industry-focused activities, SIFF seeks to create an environment where stories can travel beyond borders and filmmakers can build lasting connections.

At its heart, Safari International Film Festival believes that cinema is a journey—one that allows us to encounter different people, cultures, realities, and perspectives while reminding us of the experiences we share.

SIFF — Stories Without Borders.

Global Lens Award
Cinema Without Borders Award
Global Storyteller Award
Global Cultural Vision Award
Best International Feature Film
Best International Short Film
Best International Documentary
Best International Experimental Film

SAFARI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (SIFF)
RULES & REGULATIONS


1. ELIGIBILITY

Safari International Film Festival (SIFF) is open to filmmakers from Nigeria and around the world.

Films of all nationalities, cultures, languages, and backgrounds are welcome.

The festival accepts films across various categories, including but not limited to:

Feature Films
Short Films
Documentary Films
Short Documentaries
Animation
Experimental Films
Student Films
Music Videos
Web Series / Episodic Content
Films made by emerging and established filmmakers

Unless otherwise stated for a specific category, films may be submitted regardless of their production year.

There is no restriction on the film's country of origin.

Films that have previously screened at other festivals, premiered online, or received theatrical or television distribution may still be eligible, unless otherwise specified by a particular competition category.


2. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All submissions must be completed through the official submission platform designated by SIFF.

Filmmakers must provide accurate information about their film, including title, synopsis, credits, production year, country of origin, running time, language, and contact information.

Films submitted in languages other than English must include English subtitles.

Submitted films must be accessible for viewing by the festival's selection committee in the format requested by SIFF.

Filmmakers are responsible for ensuring that their submitted screeners are complete, functional, and of reasonable viewing quality.

A submission is considered complete only when all required information and materials have been provided.


3. ORIGINALITY & RIGHTS

By submitting a film, the filmmaker confirms that they have the legal right and necessary permissions to submit the film to SIFF.

The filmmaker must hold or have obtained the necessary rights to all elements contained in the film, including music, footage, photographs, artwork, performances, trademarks, and other copyrighted materials.

SIFF will not be responsible for copyright, ownership, plagiarism, licensing, or other legal disputes arising from a submitted film.

Any film found to contain unauthorized copyrighted material may be disqualified.

If a film is selected, the filmmaker may be required to provide additional documentation confirming the rights and permissions associated with the film.


4. SELECTION PROCESS

All submitted films are reviewed by the SIFF selection team and/or appointed festival programmers and jurors.

Selection decisions are based on artistic quality, storytelling, originality, technical execution, cultural relevance, creativity, and overall impact.

The decision of the selection committee is final.

Submission does not guarantee selection, screening, nomination, or an award.

SIFF reserves the right to place a selected film in the category or programme that it considers most appropriate.

The festival reserves the right to reject or disqualify a submission that does not comply with these regulations.


5. SELECTED FILMS

Filmmakers whose films are selected will be notified using the contact information provided during submission.

Selected filmmakers must provide the required screening materials, publicity information, film stills, posters, trailers, filmmaker biographies, and other promotional materials within the deadline communicated by SIFF.

Failure to provide the required materials within the stated deadline may result in the film being withdrawn from the programme.

Once officially selected and confirmed, a film may not be withdrawn from the festival programme without a valid reason and prior approval from the festival organizers.


6. FESTIVAL SCREENINGS & PROMOTION

By submitting a film, filmmakers grant SIFF permission to screen the selected film as part of the festival programme if the film is officially selected.

SIFF may use approved film materials, including the film title, synopsis, poster, trailer, still images, filmmaker name, and brief excerpts for festival promotion, publicity, social media, website content, press releases, catalogues, and other non-commercial promotional purposes.

SIFF will not sell or commercially exploit a submitted film without obtaining the appropriate permission from the rights holder.

Festival screening dates, venues, formats, and programmes are determined by SIFF and may be subject to change.


7. AWARDS & JURY

Selected films may compete for official SIFF awards in their respective categories.

Awards may be determined by an appointed festival jury, selection committee, audience vote, or other officially announced mechanism.

The festival reserves the right to add, remove, combine, or modify award categories where necessary.

The jury's decision is final.

SIFF may choose not to award a prize in a category if the jury determines that no submission meets the required standard.


8. PREMIERE STATUS

SIFF may designate certain awards or programmes as requiring a specific premiere status.

Where premiere status is required, the relevant requirement will be clearly stated in the applicable category or submission guidelines.

A film's previous screening, online release, television broadcast, theatrical release, or participation in another festival does not automatically make it ineligible unless a specific SIFF category states otherwise.


9. FEES

Where applicable, submission fees are non-refundable.

Submission fees cover the administrative and evaluation costs associated with processing entries.

SIFF reserves the right to offer fee waivers, discounts, early-bird rates, or promotional submission periods at its discretion.


10. DISQUALIFICATION

A film may be disqualified if:

False or misleading information was provided during submission.

The filmmaker does not have the necessary rights to submit the film.

The film contains significant unauthorized copyrighted material.


The submitted film differs materially from the version submitted for selection without prior approval.

Required screening or promotional materials are not provided within the specified deadline.

The submission violates applicable SIFF rules or regulations.

Disqualification decisions made by SIFF shall be final.


11. RESPONSIBILITY OF FILMMAKERS

By submitting a film, the filmmaker agrees to comply with these rules and confirms that all information provided is accurate.

Filmmakers are responsible for keeping their contact information up to date and responding to official SIFF communications within applicable deadlines.


12. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

Submission of a film to Safari International Film Festival constitutes acceptance of these Rules & Regulations.

SIFF reserves the right to interpret, amend, or update these rules when necessary. Any significant changes will be communicated through the festival's official channels.

The latest version of the Rules & Regulations shall apply to all submissions.


13. CONTACT

For questions regarding submissions, eligibility, partnerships, or festival participation, filmmakers should contact Safari International Film Festival through its official communication channels.

Safari International Film Festival (SIFF)
Stories Without Borders.