Independent International Film Festival-SIFFA

Home
United Kingdom
London
Independent International Film Festival-SIFFA

Conducted from 2016 to the present.

18/08/2026

🎬 THE PROKOFIEV FILM CHALLENGE

No script. No genre restrictions. Just one powerful passage of music — and your imagination.

Following our masterclass with internationally acclaimed British documentary filmmaker , SIFFA invites filmmakers from around the world to take on the Prokofiev Film Challenge.

🎥 Choose a single passage of Sergei Prokofiev’s music, 2-3 minutes long, and turn it into your own short film.

Your visual interpretation is entirely up to you. You can: 🎬 Shoot your own footage 🖼️ Create original artwork 🎞️ Use copyright-free footage or stills 🎭 Write and film a short drama ✏️ Create animation 🤖 Use AI for up to 20% of the film

Work solo or as a team. There are no limits to your imagination!

🏆 Selected films will be showcased at SIFFA 2026 in London, followed by an international online session with participating filmmakers.

📅 Submission deadline: 10 September 2026

👉 Watch the masterclass & submit your film — all links are in our bio!
 Listen. Imagine. Create. Turn Prokofiev into cinema. 🎥✨

15/08/2026

🎉 Our SIFFA 2026 website is officially LIVE! 🎬✨

We’re so excited to finally share it with you!

Head over to the link in our bio to explore the new website and stay up to date with everything happening at SIFFA 2026.

You’ll find all the latest events, festival news, updates, opportunities and announcements there! Make sure to check back regularly! 👀

And yes… Prokofiev Challenge submissions are now OPEN! 🎹🎬

Find out more and submit your entry through our website.

More exciting things are coming soon. Stay tuned! ❤️

09/08/2026

🎬 FROM SIFFA AWARD WINNER TO COMIC CON SPECIAL GUEST
We love seeing the journey continue beyond the festival.
Sophie Rankin Sophie Rankin , winner of Best Supporting Actress at SIFFA 2025 for her performance in Escape, has been announced as a Special Guest at Stars of Time Comic Con Swansea 2026, taking place on 25 October.
For SIFFA, an award is never simply the end of a festival night. It is part of something much bigger - discovering talent, celebrating achievement and following the filmmakers and artists whose careers continue to grow long after the lights go down.

Congratulations, Sophie! 🌟 We are delighted to see a member of the SIFFA family continuing to shine.

🌍 Who will we discover next?
Follow SIFFA UK / International Film Festival to discover award-winning actors, filmmakers and new independent voices from around the world - and follow the journey towards SIFFA 2026: FRAGILE WORLD.
🎞️ Submissions for SIFFA 2026 are open.
SIFFA - Independent Cinema. International Voices.
FilmFestival Actors BritishFilm InternationalFilmFestival SwanseaComicCon

07/08/2026

‼️ IMPORTANT: CHANGES TO SIFFA 2026 FILM SUBMISSION RULES

Following the implementation of the transparency requirements under Article 50 of the EU AI Act, SIFFA has updated its film submission rules.

SIFFA does not prohibit the use of AI. Films created or produced with the use of AI are welcome.

However, filmmakers must now disclose any use of AI in the creation of their film, including writing, image generation, animation, voice synthesis, music or editing.

For SIFFA, this is not about restricting creativity. It is about transparency, authorship and artistic responsibility.

AI is welcome. Transparency is required.

🎬 SIFFA 2026 continues to accept film submissions from around the world!

All films must be submitted via the official SIFFA page on FilmFreeway.

Submit your film on FilmFreeway and become part of SIFFA 2026 - FRAGILE WORLD.

25/07/2026

Another SIFFA Award has safely arrived from London! 🏆✨

Nothing makes us happier than seeing our winners receive their SIFFA Awards and share their joy with the world.

Congratulations to Oksana Stashenko .stashenko_officialgroup and the entire creative team behind New Year’s Miracle, recipients of the Best International Film and Best Female Director awards at SIFFA.

Reading messages like these reminds us why SIFFA exists.

Our mission has always been to discover outstanding independent films, bring together filmmakers from around the world, and create a platform where powerful stories can cross borders, cultures and languages.

A heartfelt thank you to every filmmaker who has trusted SIFFA with their work, to our distinguished jury members, selection committee, partners, volunteers and audiences who continue to make this journey possible.

Submissions for the 16th So Independent International Film Festival are now OPEN.

If you have created a film that deserves an international audience, we would love to see it.

Submitting your film is easy. Simply visit our FilmFreeway page, create or log into your account, upload your film together with its press materials, and submit it to SIFFA in just a few steps.

We are looking forward to discovering new voices, powerful stories and exceptional filmmakers from every corner of the world.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the SIFFA family.

🎬 Submit your film today and join us in London!

SubmitYourFilm IndependentCinema Filmmakers WomenInFilm BestInternationalFilm London Cinema

22/07/2026

Dear friends,
I would like to support Caterpillar Girl, a short film currently in development that explores coming of age, mental health, and eating disorders among young people.

Created in partnership with a charity supporting individuals affected by eating disorders, the project aims not only to tell an important story, but also to encourage meaningful conversations around issues that are often left unspoken.

The film is inspired by the true story of its lead actress and brings together an exceptional creative team, including producers from Working Title and a BAFTA-winning cinematographer.

As someone who has spent many years supporting independent cinema, I firmly believe that film has the power to inspire empathy, raise awareness, and create change.

If this project resonates with you, please consider supporting its crowdfunding campaign or sharing it with others who may wish to help.

https://greenlit.com/project/caterpillar-girl

Wishing the entire team every success as they prepare to begin filming this August.

Luba Balagova Kandour Luba Balagova
President, So Independent International Film Festival (SIFFA)

20/07/2026

Today, 20 July, SIFFA President Luba Balagova Kandour Luba Balagova attended a special preview screening of the first two episodes of the upcoming British television series Hit Point at BAFTA in London.
The screening was followed by an engaging Q&A session featuring the series’ creator and writer Howard Overman, executive producer Johnny Capps, actors Nick Blood and Saffron Hocking, and hosted by journalist and broadcaster Emma Bullimore.

The evening provided a valuable opportunity to gain insight into the creative process behind contemporary British television drama, from script development and character creation to the collaborative efforts required to bring compelling stories to the screen.

Events such as these play an important role in fostering international dialogue within the film and television industries, encouraging the exchange of ideas and strengthening professional connections across the global screen community.

So Independent International Film Festival (SIFFA) remains committed to supporting outstanding storytelling in all its forms and looks forward to following the future success of Hit Point.

SIFFA is also pleased to remind filmmakers from around the world that submissions for the 16th edition of the festival are still open on FilmFreeway. Don’t miss the submission deadline!

The 16th So Independent International Film Festival will take place from 19–26 November 2026 in London’s world-famous West End at Vue Piccadilly, continuing its tradition of celebrating independent cinema and bringing together filmmakers and audiences from across the globe.

ScreenCulture InternationalCinema London FilmFestival UKTV

16/07/2026

Luba Balagova Kandour Luba Balagova , Founder and President of the So Independent International Film Festival (SIFFA), was honoured to speak at the House of Lords at the event “From Fear to Freedom in the Age of AI”, following the kind invitation of her colleague, Debra Debra Wootton .

During the round table discussion, she shared her perspective on the growing role of artificial intelligence in cinema and international film festivals. SIFFA has already presented films enhanced through AI technologies, as well as productions created with the assistance of artificial intelligence.

At the same time, she emphasised that while AI may become an invaluable tool, it cannot replace human experience, emotion, or imagination. Great stories are born from life itself.

It was also an opportunity to speak about the IRIDA Award - SIFFA’s highest honour, symbolising connection between cultures, generations, and humanity itself.

“Artificial intelligence can generate text. Only human beings can transform life into story.”

House of Lords, London
16 July 2026

11/07/2026

The Story of SIFFA Continues Across the Pages of the Arab Cultural Press

We are delighted to see another feature dedicated to SIFFA and our mission to strengthen international cultural and cinematic cooperation. It is encouraging to witness the growing interest in our festival across the Arab world and beyond.

As preparations for the So Independent International Film Festival 2026 continue, we warmly invite filmmakers from every corner of the world to submit their films and become part of this year’s official programme.

Festival Dates: 19–26 November 2026
Venue: Vue Cinema Piccadilly, London
Theme: Fragile World

Film submissions are now open! Visit SIFFA 2026 on FilmFreeway to submit your film and join this year’s official selection.

We look forward to discovering bold new voices, celebrating outstanding independent cinema, and welcoming filmmakers from around the world to London this November.

История SIFFA продолжается на страницах арабской культурной прессы
Мы рады видеть ещё одну публикацию, посвящённую SIFFA и нашей миссии по укреплению международного культурного и кинематографического сотрудничества. Приятно осознавать, что интерес к фестивалю продолжает расти не только в арабском мире, но и далеко за его пределами.
Подготовка к So Independent International Film Festival 2026 продолжается, и мы приглашаем кинематографистов со всего мира подать свои фильмы и стать частью официальной программы фестиваля.
🎬 Даты фестиваля: 19–26 ноября 2026 года
📍 Место проведения: Vue Cinema Piccadilly, Лондон
🌍 Тема фестиваля: Fragile World («Хрупкий мир»)
Приём заявок уже открыт! Подайте свой фильм через SIFFA 2026 на FilmFreeway и присоединяйтесь к официальной программе фестиваля.
Мы с нетерпением ждём знакомства с новыми талантами, яркими независимыми фильмами и встречи с кинематографистами со всего мира этой осенью в Лондоне.
London Cinema Filmmakers CulturalExchange InternationalCinema ArabCinema WorldCinema FilmCommunity FragileWorld

10/07/2026

Delighted to see that
SIFFA is in the Jordanian news today.

It is an honour to see our efforts to strengthen international cultural and cinematic cooperation receiving such kind recognition. Thank you to Issam Hijjawi عصام الحجاوي ⁩ and his wonderful team for an inspiring meeting and warm hospitality. Here’s to many exciting collaborations ahead! Luba Balagova

Рада видеть, что сегодня SIFFA появилась в иорданских новостях.

Для нас большая честь, что наши усилия по укреплению международного культурного и кинематографического сотрудничества получили такое тёплое признание.

Благодарю Иссама Хиджауи Hijawi и его замечательную команду за вдохновляющую встречу и тёплое гостеприимство.

Впереди - много интересных совместных проектов!

Address

19 Regent Street Saint James's
London
SW1Y 4LR

Telephone

+447933394968

Website

https://siffa.media/?fbclid=PAAaa8BIPW4SZnf0lbzN8u_a9GuGo0ENQkaQUwtWJB8fk0MSUfFDkqAzcnPW4

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Independent International Film Festival-SIFFA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Independent International Film Festival-SIFFA:

Want your establishment to be the top-listed Arts & Entertainment in London?