The ifva Awards, formerly known as the Hong Kong Independent Short Film and Video Awards, is accepting Short Films, Animation, and Media Art until October 9, 2023. *Only for Hong Kong and Asian Filmmakers*

About the ifva Awards:
Organised by Hong Kong Arts Centre, ifva is an Incubator for Film and Visual media in Asia (formerly the Hong Kong Independent Short Film and Video Awards).

Founded in 1995, ifva serves as a platform that actively promotes and encourages creative talents in Asia, making short films, videos, animation and media art. With a cutting-edge vision and highlight independent spirit, ifva has evolved to promote different visual cultures while exploring the boundless potential of creative media. In addition to the annual competition and festival, ifva curates a host of programmes under two initiatives, “Cultivation” and “Engagement”. By connecting creative communities all over the world, ifva aims to engage everyone in the art of creation. ifva is also a core event of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong.

Rules for ALL categories:
– The maximum running time of Entries of Open, Youth, Animation and Asian New Force Category is 30 minutes (including end credits). For Media Art Category, there is no limit on the running time.
– Entries of Open, Youth, Animation and Asian New Force Category must be produced on or after 1 October 2022, while Media Art Category must be produced on or after 1 October 2021. Works that have been updated after the said date are also eligible.
– There is no restriction on the number of Entries submitted by each Entrant, but each Entry can only be entered for one category.
– Works that have been showcased, entered, or have won prizes in other contests may also be accepted.
– Works that have been submitted to previous ifva Awards will not be accepted.
– Once the application is submitted, no Entrant is allowed to withdraw unless with written consent from the Organiser.

Open Category

– Only for filmmakers from Hong Kong (age of 18 or above) or Hong Kong Permanent resident.
– There are NO restrictions on shooting format.
– Accepts ANY type of films (such as fiction, documentary, experimental) except commercial.
– Short Films MUST have English subtitles.
– Submission MUST be done via the ifva website.

Youth Category

– Only for filmmakers from Hong Kong (age of 17 or below) or Hong Kong Permanent resident.
– There are NO restrictions on shooting format.
– Accepts ANY type of films (such as fiction, documentary, experimental) except commercial.
– Short Films MUST have Chinese or English subtitles in case the language of the Entry is not in Cantonese.
– Submission MUST be done via the ifva website.

Animation Category

– Accepts films from Hong Kong filmmakers (or permanent residents) and Asian filmmakers (or permanent resident of ANY Asian country).
– There are NO restrictions on shooting format.
– Accepts ANY type of films (such as fiction, documentary, experimental) except commercial.
– Short Films MUST have English subtitles.
– Important: Asian filmmakers MUST submit to this category via Film Freeway.

Asian New Force Category

– Only for Asian filmmakers (or permanent resident of ANY Asian country). Hong Kong filmmakers or people residing in Hong Kong are not eligible for this category.
– There are NO restrictions on shooting format.
– Accepts ANY type of films (such as fiction, documentary, experimental) except commercial.
– Short Films MUST have English subtitles.

Media Art Category

– Entrants can be Hong Kong permanent residents (Hong Kong Division), or nationals / permanent residents of Asian countries and regions (Asia Division).
– Entry must be a completed media artwork.
Media Art works can be in all forms and formats, including but not limited to digital art, interactive media, computer game, sound art, kinetic art, and any other time-based installations.
– Entrants have no age restriction.
– Entries must be produced on or after 1 October 2021. Works that have been updated after the said date are also eligible.
– Concept and design of work, demo video, technical requirement, set up plan and diagram are required to be submitted for assessment.
– The documents and video should be in English or with English subtitles.

– Deadline for all Categories: October 9th, 2023 (6:00 pm Hong Kong Time)
– Announcement of finalists: December, 2023

– Submission Fees:

We recommend filmmakers to read the full rules and regulations here: Official ifva Rules PDF

Open Category / Youth Category / Animation Category (Hong Kong Division) / Media Art Category (Asia and Hong Kong Division) should apply via ifva’s Website: http://www.ifva-awards.com/

Asian New Force Category / Animation Category (Asia Division) should apply via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/ifvafestival

We remind readers that the 29th ifva Festival will take place in February – March 2024 in Hong Kong.