Years running: 3 (since 2024)
Iran Open-Air International Film Festival
International Fest dedicated to films about nature,travel,adventure and culture
About
The Iran Open-Air International Film Festival is an international open-air film festival held annually in northern Iran. Dedicated to cinema inspired by travel, road culture, adventure, ecotourism, environment, indigenous life, and human connection with nature, the festival presents narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, VR, and AI-based works in a unique open-air cinematic setting.
Through open-air screenings, filmmaker bootcamps, VR filmmaking programs, masterclasses, workshops, and side events, the festival brings filmmakers and audiences together in the natural landscapes of northern Iran, creating a cinematic experience rooted in nature, community, and creative exchange.
Programs:
•Competition section includes
-Short film competition: Narrative, Documentary, Animation, Experimental
-Immersive competition: VR and AI based works.
•Filmmaker bootcamp
•Masterclasses and Workshops
Awards
- Grand Prize: Trophy + Diploma of Honor
- Additional Diplomas of Honor and special jury mentions may be awarded at the discretion of the jury.
- All officially selected films will receive a digital certificate of participation.
Rules
- Submitted films must have been completed after January 2020
- Films in all languages are eligible. Non-English-language films must include English subtitles.
- Films must be between 3 and 30 minutes in length, including credits.
- Applicants may submit more than one film.
- Priority will be given to films that have not previously been screened or distributed in Iran; however, no premiere status requirement applies.
- Officially selected films will be announced by August 15, 2026, and applicants will be notified via email.
- Once a film is officially selected, it may not be withdrawn from the festival.
- Upon selection, participants must provide: a final screening copy without hardcoded subtitles, subtitle files (srt) and dialogue transcripts in both the original language and English.
- Films that do not meet the festival's technical requirements will be disqualified.
- By submitting a film to the Iran Open-Air International Film Festival, the producer or legal right holder grants Moj Fakhteh Cultural and Art Institute the non-commercial right to screen the film for educational purposes, including film screening, discussion and short film critique sessions.
- The submitter bears full responsibility for all copyright, intellectual property, and third-party rights related to the submitted work. The festival accepts no responsibility for such claims.
- No screening fees will be paid for films selected for the festival.
- The festival does not cover travel expenses. Accommodation for selected filmmakers may be provided during the festival dates.
- The Festival President and Director reserve the right to make decisions regarding any matters not covered by these regulations.
- Submission to the Iran Open-Air International Film Festival implies full acceptance of all festival rules and regulations.
- No submission fee is required for the 2026 edition
Premiere Requirements
No premiere requirement
Jury and Organizers
Festival chairman: Saeid Nejati
Festival Secretary: Siavash Cheraghipour
Organized by Moj Fakhteh Cultural and Art Institute
The official jury member will be announced closer to the festival dates
Documents
Place
Iran
The North of Iran
Official Website
Contacts
Email [www.iranopenair.ir]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iranopenairfilmfest?igsh=MXhqeTdiZjg4eW9qZg==
Contact Emails
Social Networks
Instagram
- Opening DateMay 10, 2026
- Regular DeadlineJuly 05, 2026
- Late DeadlineJuly 23, 2026
- NotificationsAugust 06, 2026
- Event Dates8 — 12 September 2026
The AI Competition welcomes short-form works created through substantial use of artificial intelligence tools in the creative or production process. Submitted works should reflect the festival’s thematic focus on travel, nature, adventure, ecology, outdoor life, or related subjects With a maximum running 30 minutes,including credit
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Regular Deadline — free
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Late Deadline — free
The VR Competition welcomes immersive and virtual reality works designed for headset-based or interactive viewing experiences. Submitted works should reflect the festival’s thematic focus on travel, nature, adventure, ecology, outdoor life, or related subjects With a maximum running 30 minutes,including credit
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Regular Deadline — free
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Late Deadline — free
Experimental short films with a maximum running time of 30 minutes, including credits. Submitted films must demonstrate a clear connection to the festival’s thematic focus, including road movies, travel, adventure, ecotourism, environment, ecology, indigenous cultures, local communities, and outdoor life.
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Regular Deadline — free
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Late Deadline — free
Animation short films with a maximum running time of 30 minutes, including credits. Submitted films must demonstrate a clear connection to the festival’s thematic focus, including road movies, travel, adventure, ecotourism, environment, ecology, indigenous cultures, local communities, and outdoor life.
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Regular Deadline — free
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Late Deadline — free
Documentary short films with a maximum running time of 30 minutes, including credits. Submitted films must demonstrate a clear connection to the festival’s thematic focus, including road movies, travel, adventure, ecotourism, environment, ecology, indigenous cultures, local communities, and outdoor life.
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Regular Deadline — free
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Late Deadline — free
Narrative short films with a maximum running time of 30 minutes, including credits. Submitted films must demonstrate a clear connection to the festival’s thematic focus, including road movies, travel, adventure, ecotourism, environment, ecology, indigenous cultures, local communities, and outdoor life.
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Regular Deadline — free
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Late Deadline — free
Festival Widget
