Rules of Participation

Directors who are citizens of foreign countries or of the Republic of Azerbaijan may take part in the festival's International Competition section for short films.

The competition accepts short fiction, documentary and animation films.

Each author may submit their film through the www.filmfreeway.com platform.

Submitted films must have been produced in 2024–2025.

Films must not exceed 30 minutes.

Films must be submitted with English subtitles. In addition, the dialogue and text of each film must be provided in written form in English.

Local directors who submit a film to the International Competition may not submit the same film to the National Competition section.

Films are reviewed by the Selection Committee appointed by the Organising Committee and then included in the competition programme.

The list of films taking part in the competition will be published on our website on 10 November 2025.

Films in the festival programme may only be shown at non-commercial screenings related to the festival.

Films in the competition will be assessed by an international jury.

Festival winners receive the "Golden Pomegranate", a special prize and a diploma.

Short films produced in Azerbaijan may take part in the festival's National Competition section.

A film submitted to the National Competition may not also be submitted to the International Competition.

The competition accepts short fiction, documentary and animation films as well as public service films.

Student films compete for the "Best Student Film" award. Students entering this category must select "yes" next to the "Best Student Film category" item on the registration form. Students who would rather have their film compete against the other films in the competition instead of the student films should select "no" for that item.

Each author may submit their film through the festival website, www.filmfestival.az.

Submitted films must have been produced in 2023–2025.

Films must not exceed 30 minutes.

Films are reviewed by the Selection Committee appointed by the Organising Committee and then included in the competition programme.

The list of films taking part in the competition will be published on our website on 10 November 2025.

Films in the festival programme may only be shown at non-commercial screenings related to the festival.

Films in the competition will be assessed by a national jury.

Festival winners receive the "Golden Pomegranate", a special prize and a diploma.