Iraq’s Minister of Youth and Sports and President of the Iraq International Youth Film Festival, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mabraqaa, announced the opening of submissions for the second edition of the festival, set to take place in Baghdad from January 6 to 10, 2026.
Dr. Al-Mabraqaa emphasized that, building on the success of the inaugural edition, the festival has become an important cultural platform that nurtures young talent and opens the door for regional and international competition. “Cinema is a bridge for dialogue and a civilizational message that reflects Iraq’s identity and the ambitious voice of its youth,” he said.
The official competition will focus on short films of up to 60 minutes, produced after 2023, directed by filmmakers under the age of 35. Winners will receive the Golden Obelisk Awards in several categories: Best Short Narrative Film, Best Short Documentary Film, Best First Short Narrative Film, Best First Short Documentary Film, along with a Special Jury Prize.
Festival Artistic and Executive Director Khaled Al-Zahraw praised the strong support provided by Dr. Al-Mabraqaa to position the festival on the map of regional and international cinema. He noted that this edition will welcome prominent filmmakers from the Arab world and beyond, and will also feature five feature-length films screened out of competition, including Iraqi films for the opening and closing nights.
The festival’s program will include screenings from diverse countries and themes, as well as workshops, panel discussions with young filmmakers, and tributes to leading cinema figures who have contributed to training and promoting Iraqi talent on the global stage.
Follow the latest news on Google News
