Baku International Film Festival

Festival Description: The Baku International Short Film Festival was established in 2004 by the "Sinema" center of Young Cinematographers. The festival, which has long been called "Start", has been operating under the auspices of the Baku International Short Film Festival since 2019. Although only Azerbaijani authors participated in the I Festival, in the next year the film forum attracted young people from other countries, expand their coverage and begin to gain international status. The scope of the Festival, which aims to become a reputable creative competition in the Middle East and the CIS, is now widely accepted worldwide. An international delegation is also present at the jury of the Festival, which is accepting films from about 89 countries during its operating times. The goal of the Baku International Short Film Festival, which offers minimal discounts and maximum talent, is to review and discuss films, select the best ones, and reach a wide audience, to familiarize local authors with international practices and trends. In addition, the Festival provides an opportunity for local directors to establish contacts with their foreign colleagues.

2025 Call for Entries (Archive)

The 16th Baku International t Film Festival will take place from 7 to 12 November 2025 in Azerbaijan, Baku.

Eligibility criteria

• Films should be sent in English with subtitles or audio translation.
• Presented films must be produced in 2024-2025;
• First Feature Film (Debut) more than 52 min;
• Short films should not exceed 30 minutes.

Categories

• International First Feature (fiction) Film
• ShortFilm
• Documentary
• Animation (Short animation film/ under 30 minutes)
• National short film competition

• Festival's regulations and submission via FilmFreeway
• Deadline: Early Deadline 14 June 2025 Early Deadline 4 July 2025 Final Deadline 1 August 2025
  

2019 Festival Coverage

• 2019 Winners

NB: 2026 Festival Dates are Tentative