Souss International Short Film Festival

The Souss International Short Film Festival (SISFF) is a cultural and cinematic event organized by Atelier COMMEDIA for Cinematographic Creativity in Aït Melloul, Morocco.

The festival is organized in partnership with the Municipality of Aït Melloul and the Faculty of Languages, Arts and Human Sciences at Ibn Zohr University in Aït Melloul, with the support of the Moroccan Cinematographic Centre (CCM).

Dedicated to promoting short filmmaking and encouraging cinematic creativity, the festival provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work, exchange experiences, and share diverse artistic and cultural perspectives with audiences and cinema professionals.

The 19th edition of the Souss International Short Film Festival will take place from 4 to 8 May 2027 in Aït Melloul, Morocco, featuring short fiction and documentary films.

ORGANIZATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

The Souss International Short Film Festival is organized by:

Atelier COMMEDIA for Cinematographic Creativity

The festival is organized in partnership with:

The Municipality of Aït Melloul.
The Faculty of Languages, Arts and Human Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Aït Melloul.

The festival receives support from the Moroccan Cinematographic Centre (CCM).

These institutional and cultural relationships contribute to the festival's mission of promoting cinema, supporting artistic expression, and strengthening cultural activities in the region.

THE 19TH EDITION

The 19th edition of the Souss International Short Film Festival will take place from 4 to 8 May 2027 in Aït Melloul, Morocco.

The edition will feature a competitive program dedicated to short fiction and short documentary films. Selected films will be presented as part of the festival's official program, subject to the final selection and screening schedule established by the organizers.

The festival invites filmmakers to submit their works through the official submission process and encourages applicants to review the regulations carefully before applying.

Festival dates: 4–8 May 2027
Location: Aït Melloul, Morocco
Submission deadline: 20 February 2027
Competition categories: Short Fiction Film and Short Documentary Film

OFFICIAL COMPETITION CATEGORIES
 

Short Fiction Film Competition

The Short Fiction Film Competition is dedicated to fictional cinematic works that tell stories through characters, dramatic situations, dialogue, images, and creative visual expression.

The competition welcomes diverse narrative approaches and genres, allowing filmmakers to explore personal experiences, social realities, cultural identities, imagination, and universal human themes.

Films are considered according to the eligibility criteria and artistic evaluation procedures established in the official festival regulations.

Short Documentary Film Competition

The Short Documentary Film Competition celebrates documentary filmmaking and its ability to explore real people, events, communities, environments, cultures, and social questions.

The category welcomes documentary approaches that present reality through observation, investigation, personal perspectives, historical documentation, or other documentary forms.

The competition aims to recognize the artistic and expressive contribution of documentary cinema while encouraging filmmakers to explore meaningful subjects and diverse perspectives.

WHO CAN SUBMIT A FILM?

Filmmakers wishing to participate must submit a film that meets the eligibility conditions established in the official regulations of the 19th edition.

Applicants should carefully verify the following requirements before submitting:

• The film must belong to an eligible competition category.
• The film must comply with the official duration requirements.
• The film must satisfy any production-year or premiere requirements specified in the regulations.
• The applicant must have the necessary authority to submit the film.
• All required information and supporting materials must be provided.
• The film must be accessible to the selection committee through a valid viewing or download link.

Rules and regulations: https://shorturl.at/5RXEE 

Any specific restrictions concerning nationality, country of production, language, subtitles, premiere status, or previous screenings are governed by the official regulations.

HOW TO SUBMIT A FILM?

Film submissions must be made through the festival's official online form:

Official submission form:
https://forms.gle/du1nxeWFcbs9fvML6 

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1 — Read the regulations

Review the official regulations carefully to confirm eligibility, technical requirements, deadlines, and participation conditions.

Step 2 — Complete the online form

Provide accurate information about the film, its director, and the applicant.

Step 3 — Submit the film information

Applicants should prepare the film title, category, duration, synopsis, and other requested details.

Step 4 — Provide the required materials

Depending on the form's requirements, applicants must provide the film poster, director's portrait photograph, director's CV, short biography, and a valid film viewing or download link.

Step 5 — Complete the participation documentation

Download the official participation form, complete it, sign it, and upload the signed copy where required.

Step 6 — Verify the submission

Before submitting, ensure that all required fields are complete, the uploaded documents are readable, and the film link works correctly.

Step 7 — Await the selection results

Submitting a film does not guarantee selection. The festival's selection committee will review eligible submissions and determine the films included in the official program.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND FEES

The submission deadline for the 19th edition is 20 February 2027.

The submission fee is listed as free.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their films before the deadline and avoid waiting until the final day, particularly when uploading documents or providing large film files.

Submissions received after the deadline will be handled according to the festival's official regulations and decisions.

FILM SELECTION PROCESS

The festival's selection committee reviews submissions according to the eligibility requirements and evaluation procedures established by the organizers.

The process includes consideration of whether submissions meet the formal requirements and an artistic assessment of eligible films.

The committee determines which films will be included in the official competitive program. The organizers establish the final program and screening schedule.

Submitting a film does not create an automatic right to participate in the festival.

Applicants should ensure that their contact details are correct so the festival can communicate selection decisions and any requests for additional materials.

The festival's selection decisions are made in accordance with its official procedures.

IMPORTANT DATES

Call for entries opens: 27 October 2026
Submission deadline: 20 February 2027
Festival dates: 4–8 May 2027
Festival location: Aït Melloul, Morocco

Applicants should regularly check the festival's official communication channels for announcements concerning selection results, screening schedules, and program updates.