1. The following authors are eligible to participate in the Festival Competition:

a) In the Animated, Fiction and Documentary Film categories, authors who live and/or work in one of the Mediterranean countries and who were under the age of 20 at the time their film was completed.

b) In the Open Category (Experimental Film) and the Thematic Category, authors who were under the age of 20 at the time their film was completed, regardless of where they live, work or come from.

For the Thematic Category, the Festival welcomes films that explore the theme of belonging—where, how, and why we feel that we belong.

2. The competition programme is divided into two age groups (up to 15 years and 16–20 years) for the Animated, Fiction and Documentary Film categories. The Open Category and the Thematic Category are not divided into age groups.

3. The Festival accepts film submissions from individuals, film clubs, and schools. Each author or organisation may submit a maximum of two films in the same category.

Participation in the Festival is free of charge.

4. The running time of each film must not exceed 15 minutes, including the end credits.

5. Films must have been completed on or after 1 September 2024.

6. Films may only be submitted via the FilmFreeway platform:

https://filmfreeway.com/DUff-cro

7. All films must include English subtitles.

The Festival also accepts films with embedded subtitles; however, we strongly prefer subtitles to be submitted as a separate .srt file by uploading them to the designated section on FilmFreeway.

Applicants are also required to upload two film stills in the Files & Attachments section on FilmFreeway.

8. Films may be submitted by the author(s), their teachers, mentors, or production organisation. However, all authors must have been under the age of 15 or 20, respectively, at the time the film was completed.

9. In exceptional cases, if there are valid reasons why a film cannot be submitted via FilmFreeway, please contact the Festival organisers at duff@kinematografi.org to arrange an alternative submission method.

10. Films and submission forms must be submitted no later than 15 July 2026.

11. Films that do not meet the above criteria will not be considered for selection.

12. The Festival reserves the right to use submitted films for the promotion of filmmaking through screenings in the media and at other public events, as well as to make archival copies for the Festival's non-commercial archive.

13. The Official Selection will be announced in early September 2026 on duff.kinematografi.org. All authors will also be notified individually via FilmFreeway and email.

The following awards will be presented:

1. Best Animated Film (awarded in both age groups)
2. Best Fiction Film (awarded in both age groups)
3. Best Documentary Film (awarded in both age groups)
4. Best Film – Open Category (single award)
5. Best Thematic Film – Belonging (awarded to the film that best explores the theme of belonging)
6. Audience Award
7. Festival Grand Prix

The awards do not carry a cash prize.

The Festival will provide complimentary accommodation and meals for participants whose films are selected for the Official Selection. This includes one young filmmaker and one accompanying adult per selected film.

Accommodation for additional participants may be arranged during the Festival at a subsidised rate. Travel expenses are the responsibility of the participants.

Dube Mikulić
Festival Office Manager
+385 20 638 640 / 417 107

Đive Galov
Festival Director
+385 20 638 640 / 417 107

Miro Bronzić
Technical Director
+385 99 216 7653

Andrea Bagarić / Ružica Dodig
Festival Coordinators