BAF Festival 2026 Competition Overview
Competition Categories
Film Competition
Submissions accepted across three age groups:
- Elementary students & youth (under 16)
- Film school students
- Adults
Accepted formats: Feature films, documentaries, animated films, music videos, and experimental films.
Vertical stories
A special category for creators under 30 making social media content.
- Platforms: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts
- Accepted formats: 1:1, 4:5, 9:16, or 16:9
- Focus: Authentic, personal, authorial videos that convey a unique perspective
Amateur creators from children to adults to seniors can apply for the competition of the 2nd year of the BAF Festival, either as individuals or competition team. It starts on 1/2/2026 and ends on 15/04/2026!
The festival jury will view all submitted works and those that meet the criteria for the category and have the required technical standard will be entered into the competition.
The names of the selected films will be published on the festival website. The festival jury will decide on nominations for awards in individual categories. The Festival Director’s Award will also be presented.
We warmly welcome all filmmakers, their friends, families and film art enthusiasts to the festival days, during which the nominated films will be publicly presented. The awards for the best films will take place during the ceremonial announcement at the conclusion of the BAF festival.