Farhang Foundation Pauses 2026 Short Film Festival, Doubles 2027 Prizes
Farhang Foundation Pauses 2026 Short Film Festival, Commits to Doubling Prizes for 2027 Competition
It is with deep regret and heavy hearts that Farhang Foundation announces a pause to the 2026 Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival competition.
At this moment, Iranians are facing extraordinary and deeply troubling circumstances, including an unprecedented and prolonged internet blackout that has severely limited communication and access to the outside world. Given that a significant number of our participants are based in Iran, Farhang Foundation believes it would be neither fair nor just to move forward with this year’s competition without ensuring that these filmmakers have an equal opportunity to participate.
So, after careful and thoughtful deliberation, Farhang Foundation has made the difficult decision to pause the 2026 competition.
In recognition of the importance of supporting Iranian filmmakers, Farhang Foundation will transfer the full amount of this year’s cash awards to the 2027 competition, doubling the total prizes to $66,000. It is our hope that this increased support will provide an even more meaningful platform for filmmakers when circumstances allow for broader participation from those based in Iran.
“This decision was incredibly difficult, because we know how much this festival means to filmmakers both inside Iran and across the global creative community,” said Mark Amin, Vice Chair of Farhang Foundation and Chair of the Short Film Festival Committee. “From its inception, this festival has been about access, visibility, and opportunity. At a time when so many artists in Iran are effectively cut off from the world, we felt it was essential to pause rather than proceed in a way that would exclude the very voices we are committed to elevating. We remain deeply dedicated to these filmmakers and look forward to welcoming them back when participation is once again possible.”
Alireza Ardekani, CEO of Farhang Foundation, added: “This festival was built to ensure that Iranian filmmakers, regardless of where they live, have a platform to be seen and heard. When circumstances prevent so many of those voices from even entering the conversation, we have a responsibility to respond with integrity. Redirecting this year’s awards into 2027 is not just a logistical decision, it is an intentional investment in the future of these artists. We are committed to returning in 2027 with an even stronger platform when participation can once again be truly inclusive.”
Farhang Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to championing Iranian cinema and the remarkable artists who bring it to life. We look forward to the time when connection, creativity, and collaboration can once again flourish without barriers, and we can gather to celebrate the powerful voices of Iranian filmmakers.
Until then, we stand in solidarity with artists in Iran and around the world, and we remain hopeful for brighter days ahead.
For over sixteen years, the Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival has stood as the only film festival in the world dedicated exclusively to Iranian short films, providing a vital platform for emerging and established filmmakers, many of whom reside in Iran. Their voices, stories, and artistic expressions have always been at the very heart of this festival.
Over the course of its history, the festival has awarded more than $300,000 in cash prizes to filmmakers from around the world, with the majority of these awards going to filmmakers based in Iran, further underscoring the festival’s vital role as a platform for artists whose access to global audiences is often limited.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Founded in 2009, the Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival is the only festival in the world dedicated to showcasing films that capture the beauty, complexity, and diversity of Iranian culture. To date the festival has awarded over $300,000 in cash prizes to winning filmmakers from around the world. The festival continues to provide an international platform for both established and emerging filmmakers to share their stories with global audiences.
2027 Festival Competition Key Dates
Submission Opening
April 26, 2027
Submission Deadline
July 26, 2027 11:59 PM PST
Official Selection Announcement
September 2027
Awards Ceremony
September 25, 2027
For more information about the festival, and to watch all the past winning films, please visit FarhangFilmFest.org.
About Farhang Foundation
Farhang Foundation is a member supported nonpolitical, nonreligious, and not-for-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting the richness of Iranian art and culture for the betterment of society as a whole. With a singular mission at its core, the Foundation strives to preserve, nurture, and share the diverse heritage of Iran with the global community. Through steadfast commitment, the Foundation supports a wide array of academic, artistic, and cultural programs and initiatives, fostering collaborative partnerships with esteemed universities, renowned museums, and the vibrant world of performing arts. These partnerships enable the Foundation to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the multifaceted aspects of Iranian culture and promote cross-cultural dialogue.
Media Contact:
Tannaz Guivi
Phone: 310-666-1546
Email: press@farhang.org
