BEFORE SUBMITTING:

 

Kurdistan International Independent Film Festival (KIIFF) is a highly selective, curated international hybrid festival dedicated to independent cinema and contemporary filmmaking.

While all genres and forms of cinematic expression are considered, filmmakers, producers, and authorized representatives are strongly encouraged to review the festival’s previous editions and official programming to understand KIIFF’s artistic direction, curatorial standards, and exhibition model.

KIIFF places quality above quantity and maintains a selective programming process. Selection for the festival does not automatically guarantee public exhibition, physical screening, distribution, awards, or participation in any specific international exhibition opportunity.

 

 

 

STUDIOS, DISTRIBUTORS & SALES AGENTS: 

 

KIIFF operates as an independent festival and does not require or guarantee screening fees for submitted films.

Films represented by studios, distributors, or Sales Agents may be considered for KIIFF programming where appropriate.

Selected films may participate through public exhibition, physical exhibition, online exhibition, Special Presentations, or Jury Screening, depending on the film’s status, rights, distribution strategy, exhibition history, and KIIFF’s programming decisions.

For films participating through Jury Screening, no public online or physical exhibition is required.

 

 

 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

 

1. FILM ELIGIBILITY:

Each filmmaker or authorized representative may submit one film per edition, completed within the current or previous two years, unless otherwise specified by a particular KIIFF program or invitation.

 

2. MULTIPLE PROJECTS:

Multiple films may be submitted by the same filmmaker, producer, distributor, or authorized representative only through separate submissions, with each film submitted individually and subject to the applicable submission requirements and entry fee.

 

3. SUBTITLES:

All films that are not primarily in English must include accurate and professionally prepared English subtitles.

 

4. RIGHTS & AUTHORIZATION:

By submitting a film, the applicant confirms that they hold, or are fully authorized to exercise, all necessary rights and permissions required for the film’s consideration and any exhibition authorized by KIIFF.

 

5. SUBMISSION FEES:

All submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, including withdrawal of a submission, non-selection, or inability to participate after selection.

 

 

 

IF SELECTED:

 

1. RIGHTS & CLEARANCES:

The selected film’s submitter confirms that all necessary rights and clearances have been obtained for the materials submitted to KIIFF, including music, images, footage, trademarks, performances, underlying works, and other protected materials.

The submitter must have the legal authority to authorize KIIFF to present the film through the applicable exhibition format assigned or approved by the festival.

For Jury Screening selections, the applicable authorization is limited to the private jury evaluation and related festival recognition unless otherwise agreed in writing.

 

2. FESTIVAL EXHIBITION & PROGRAMMING:

Selection by KIIFF does not automatically guarantee a specific form of exhibition.

Depending on the film and its approved programming pathway, selected projects may be presented through:

• M&R Pictures Entertainment online exhibition

• Jury Screening

• Kurdistan Physical Showcase

• United States Physical Showcase

• United Kingdom Physical Exhibition

• Canada Physical Exhibition

• Special Presentations

• Filmmaker Talks and Q&A Programs

• Other officially announced KIIFF exhibition or cultural programs

The final exhibition format is determined by KIIFF based on programming considerations, film rights, premiere status, exhibition history, venue availability, partner arrangements, technical requirements, and applicable regulations.

 

3. FESTIVAL USE & PROMOTION:

Selected filmmakers grant KIIFF a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use reasonable excerpts, trailers, still images, posters, titles, credits, synopses, and other supplied promotional materials solely for festival promotion, editorial coverage, archival purposes, and communication across official KIIFF and M&R Pictures channels.

KIIFF will not commercially exploit the full film outside the exhibition rights expressly authorized by the submitter or rights holder.

 

4. PRESS MATERIALS:

All selected projects must provide the required Electronic Press Kit (EPK), which may include:

• Official Trailer

• High-resolution stills

• Poster or key art

• Cast and crew information

• Official synopsis

• Director’s biography

• Director’s statement

• Film credits

• Screening copy or required exhibition materials

Failure to provide required materials within the specified deadline may affect the film’s eligibility for promotion or exhibition.

 

5. PARTICIPATION & ENGAGEMENT:

Selected filmmakers are strongly encouraged to participate in festival activities, including:

• Online screenings

• Q&A sessions

• Filmmaker Interviews & Talks Program

• Special presentations

• Educational or industry discussions

Where the filmmaker is unavailable, a designated representative may participate on their behalf when appropriate.

 

6. SCREENING FORMAT:

KIIFF operates as a curated hybrid festival combining online exhibition with selective physical and theatrical exhibition.

Selected films may be presented through M&R Pictures Entertainment and, where applicable, through partner cinemas, cultural institutions, festivals, or qualified exhibition organizations in Kurdistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other territories developed through KIIFF’s international exhibition network.

Physical exhibition is selective and territory-specific. Selection for KIIFF does not constitute a guarantee of physical exhibition in every territory.

 

7. JURY SCREENING:

KIIFF may invite selected films to participate exclusively through Jury Screening.

Jury Screening is designed for films that require private jury evaluation without public online or physical exhibition, including certain major award winners, internationally recognized films, studio-produced independent films, films represented by distributors or Sales Agents, and other projects selected by KIIFF for special consideration.

A Jury Screening does not constitute a public exhibition and does not require the film to be publicly released through KIIFF.

Jury Screening selections remain eligible for KIIFF competition recognition and awards according to the festival’s official programming and jury procedures.

 

8. LOGISTICS & DELIVERY:

Any costs associated with the preparation or delivery of screening materials, DCPs, digital files, subtitles, promotional materials, or other required assets remain the responsibility of the filmmaker, producer, distributor, or authorized rights holder unless otherwise agreed in writing by KIIFF.

For physical exhibitions, additional technical or delivery requirements may apply depending on the venue and territory.

 

9. AWARDS & ACADEMIC RECOGNITION:

KIIFF awards, honorary academic recognitions, trophies, certificates, scholarships, exhibition opportunities, and other special opportunities are subject to the festival’s official selection and evaluation procedures.

Honorary academic recognition awarded to competition recipients is separate from the Full Scholarship Opportunity offered through M&R Pictures Film School.

Honorary academic recognition may be granted as an Honorary Master’s Degree, Honorary Bachelor’s Degree, or Honorary Diploma according to the applicable award and level of recognition.

The Full Scholarship Opportunity is a separate educational development opportunity and is subject to jury recommendation, academic evaluation, program eligibility, and institutional approval.

 

10. SPECIAL INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES:

Special opportunities, including theatrical exhibitions, international physical showcases, educational scholarships, distribution opportunities, and other industry initiatives, are selective and subject to availability, internal selection criteria, partner arrangements, rights clearance, technical requirements, and applicable regulations.

Participation in any special opportunity does not guarantee an award, distribution agreement, nomination, qualification, or other external outcome.

 

11. OSCAR-RELATED ELIGIBILITY:

Any theatrical exhibition pathway presented by KIIFF in connection with potential Academy eligibility is subject to the official rules, eligibility requirements, documentation, deadlines, and verification procedures of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

KIIFF does not independently guarantee Academy qualification, nomination, or award consideration.

 

 

 

KIIFF COMMITMENT TO FILMMAKERS:

 

1. FULL FILM REVIEW:

KIIFF’s programming team is committed to reviewing submitted films in their entirety as part of the festival’s selection process.

 

2. TRANSPARENT COMMUNICATION:

KIIFF maintains official communication regarding submission and selection matters through its designated channels.

 

3. DATA PROTECTION & CONFIDENTIALITY:

Submitted materials and personal information will be handled with appropriate confidentiality and used for legitimate festival, programming, communication, archival, and administrative purposes.

KIIFF will not publicly disclose private submission materials beyond what is reasonably required for festival administration, promotion, or exhibition authorized under these regulations.

 

4. PROFESSIONAL FEEDBACK:

Where available, selected filmmakers may receive curated screening notes or professional feedback following the festival. Such feedback is optional and is not guaranteed for every submission.

 

 

 

TERMS OF ENTRY:

 

Submission through FilmFreeway constitutes the applicant’s agreement to KIIFF’s submission guidelines, regulations, terms of entry, and applicable festival policies.

The submitter confirms that they are authorized to enter the submitted project and to accept these terms on behalf of the relevant rights holder.

By submitting a project, the applicant acknowledges that KIIFF is a selective, curated festival and that submission does not guarantee selection, exhibition, awards, distribution, physical screening, scholarship, or participation in any specific program.

KIIFF reserves the right to interpret and administer these regulations in accordance with the festival’s artistic, programming, operational, and institutional requirements.

KIIFF may update its regulations, programming structures, exhibition pathways, and operational procedures when necessary. Any material changes affecting applicants or selected filmmakers will be communicated through the festival’s official channels.

In cases where external regulations, venue policies, distributor requirements, governmental procedures, or institutional requirements apply, those requirements will take precedence over any corresponding festival procedure.

By submitting a film, the applicant confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted the above terms.