ARUCAD Cinematic Seeds Festival 2026

February, 2026 · Hosted by ARUCAD · Kyrenia, Cyprus
An International Student Film Festival Cultivating the Next Generation of Cinematic Voices

The Cinematic Seeds Festival is an annual film event dedicated to emerging student filmmakers from around the world. Organized by ARUCAD (Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design), the festival celebrates the power of storytelling, experimentation, and artistic growth in film and media.

Open to university-level students globally, this festival offers a vibrant platform to screen original films, receive professional feedback, and engage in meaningful dialogue with peers, academics, and industry experts.

Whether you’re exploring narrative cinema, experimenting with form, or capturing reality through documentary, Cinematic Seeds is where your creative vision takes root.

This is the inaugural Cinematic Seeds Festival, proudly launched by ARUCAD to spotlight the creative visions of student filmmakers from around the world. As a festival rooted in artistic growth and educational exchange, we are committed to offering a space where new cinematic voices can emerge and flourish.

The festival is open to:

  • Currently enrolled university students (undergraduate or postgraduate) from any institution or country.
  • Recent graduates (who completed their degree in 2024 or later) are also eligible, provided they include proof of graduation (e.g., a graduation certificate or official letter).
  • First-Year Film submissions must have been produced in 2023 or later to ensure alignment with the student’s early academic stage.

Proof of Student Status
All applicants must upload a valid student ID, registration document, or graduation letter along with their submission.

We welcome short films in the following student-created categories:

  • 🎬 First Steps (First-Year Films)
    Introductory works by students at the beginning of their filmmaking journey.
  • 🎥 Experimental Films
    Non-linear, conceptual, or visually innovative projects that challenge traditional norms.
  • 📽️ Documentary
    Real-world stories, social issues, personal explorations.
  • 🎞️ Short Fiction Films
    Narrative works from all genres (max 15 minutes).
  • 🌀 Hybrid Narratives & Visual Essays
    Multimedia or mixed-format storytelling (e.g., video essays, photo romans, visual poems).
  • Best First-Year Film
  • Best Experimental Film
  • Best Documentary
  • Best Short Fiction Film
  • Best Hybrid Narrative
  • 🎖️ Audience Choice Award
  • Submissions Open: October 1st, 2025
  • Submission Deadline: December 31st, 2025
  • Official Selections & Festival Dates: To Be Announced (Festival will take place in February 2026)

A distinguished jury of international filmmakers, scholars, and industry professionals will evaluate submissions based on:

  • Originality & Creativity
  • Technical Execution
  • Narrative Strength
  • Artistic and Cultural Impact

The official jury lineup will be announced in December 2025.

📍 Festival Location

ARUCAD University Campus – Kyrenia, Cyprus
A Mediterranean creative hub for new cinema and interdisciplinary exploration.

✉️ Contact

For questions, submissions, or partnership inquiries:

👤 Emad Abouata Amlashi – Festival Director
📩 acsf@arucad.edu.tr

To submit your film please click below link.