Arpa International Film Festival (Arpa IFF)

Arpa International Film Festival (Arpa IFF)

📝 Sign up as a festival representative to manage this page!

Arpa International Film Festival focuses on independent cinema and stories about war, genocide, diaspora, exile, dual identities and multiculturalism. Its international programme includes narrative features and shorts, feature-length and short documentaries, animation and music videos. Based in Los Angeles, it is the signature event of the Arpa Foundation for Film, Music & Art (AFFMA). Sylvia Minassian launches the festival in 1997, following the foundation’s establishment in 1995.

The dates for the 29th edition are 24–27 September 2026, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The festival combines screenings with filmmaker appearances and an awards programme.

Country

United States (USA)

Categories

Animation, Documentary, Feature, Music Video, Short

Awards and prizes

Awards recognise Best Feature Narrative Film, Best Feature Director, Best Feature Screenplay, Best Feature Length Documentary, Best Short Documentary, Best Short Narrative Film, Best Animation and Best Music Video.

Festival rules

The festival accepts films from all countries, produced within the previous two years. Entries must be in English or have English subtitles. Filmmakers must hold the necessary music and exhibition rights; films subject to legal disputes are ineligible. Films requiring screening or rental fees, promotional or corporate films, and raw documentary footage are not accepted. Narrative features run 40–180 minutes; narrative shorts and short documentaries are under 40 minutes; feature documentaries are at least 40 minutes. Animation is under 120 minutes and music videos under 10 minutes. Selected filmmakers supply publicity materials, trailer links and screening files. Theatrical screenings require a minimum 2K DCP; additional delivery specifications may apply. Submission does not guarantee selection, fees are non-refundable, and accepted films cannot be withdrawn. Selected entries permit promotional use of footage, stills, titles and film information.

Contacts

✏️ Edit this page!