About the festival
Iraq's first international youth film festival
A platform that starts in Baghdad and reaches the world, celebrating new cinematic voices and giving them an audience that listens.
Our mission
Cinema as expression, knowledge and dialogue
We believe cinema is a means of artistic expression, a tool for knowledge, dialogue and awareness, and a bridge between peoples, cultures and generations. That is why we work to make the festival an Iraqi platform with an international presence — from Baghdad to the world, carrying Iraq's contemporary cultural image.
The Iraq International Youth Film Festival is the first international film festival in Iraq dedicated to youth cinema, and a growing platform for discovering new cinematic voices from the region and the world.
The festival takes place in Baghdad, a city reclaiming its place as a cultural and creative centre of the Middle East. Every year it brings together young filmmakers, audiences, critics and industry professionals in a program of screenings, competitions, workshops and talks.
We look for bold, innovative films that reflect new visions and tell moving human stories. The festival gives participants the chance to show their work to a diverse audience, connect with filmmakers and cultural institutions, and join a growing international network of young creators.
Screening and competition
Official competitions for short narrative, documentary and animation films, plus an official out-of-competition program.
Training and development
Workshops and talks that bring young filmmakers together with experts, critics and industry professionals.
Professional network
A growing international network of young creators and cultural institutions, opening the way to turn talent into sustainable projects.
What we look for
Our selection priorities
- 01First or second films by young directors.
- 02Films produced or co-produced by Iraqi entities.
- 03Films having their premiere.
- 04Works offering innovative visions and human stories of artistic and cultural value.
The journey
From Baghdad to the world
- 12027
February 2025
First edition
The launch in Baghdad with broad local and international participation.
- 2
January 2026
Second edition
Priority for films on youth, climate, water, education and empowerment.
- 32027
6–10 April 2027
Third edition
Submissions open until 31 December 2026.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Mubarqa
President, Iraq International Youth Film Festival
A word from the festival president
Welcome to the third edition
With every new edition of the Iraq International Youth Film Festival, our belief grows that cinema is a means of artistic expression, a tool for knowledge, dialogue and awareness, and a bridge between peoples, cultures and generations.
This festival began with a simple and ambitious idea: that young Iraqi, Arab and international filmmakers deserve a platform to tell their stories and to find an audience that listens to their questions and their vision of the future. Today, after the success of the previous editions, the festival has become a real meeting place for young creators to exchange experiences and ideas.
The rapid development of the film industry and digital technology places a greater responsibility on us to support the new generation of filmmakers — not only through screening and competition, but through training, development, professional networking and creating the opportunities that help them turn their talent into sustainable creative projects.
The third edition comes at an important moment for Iraq, when the need for culture and the arts as a soft power grows — one that strengthens the values of dialogue, tolerance and openness and gives young people room to take an active part in building their present and future. That is why we keep working to make the festival an Iraqi platform with an international presence, from Baghdad to the world, carrying Iraq's contemporary cultural image.
My thanks go to all the filmmakers who chose to be part of this experience, and to our partners, supporters, volunteers and the artistic and administrative committees who keep working with belief and passion to make this cultural project succeed.
Welcome to the third edition of the Iraq International Youth Film Festival. Together we believe that cinema can open new windows of understanding and knowledge, and give young people the chance to make their stories and their future.
The award
The Golden Obelisk
Inspired by the ancient obelisks of Iraq, the Golden Obelisk is presented with an award certificate and a cash prize to the winning films of the festival's competitions.