Dr. Safaa Zahir, Professor of Editing at the Higher Institute of Cinema and director of the Summer Short Film Festival, shared exclusive details about the festival’s second edition.

The festival is chaired by Iraqi director and producer Nizar Al-Fad‘am, and publishes the specialized Summer Magazine in Iraq, focusing exclusively on cinema studies. Unlike last year’s online edition—due to jury members being spread across multiple countries—this year’s edition promises a more comprehensive experience. The first edition concluded with an awards ceremony at the Hanager Opera House in Cairo. 🏛️✨

This year, the festival expands from three to five competitive categories:
1️⃣ Documentary Films
2️⃣ Narrative Films
3️⃣ Animation Films
4️⃣ Student Films (new)
5️⃣ AI-based Films (new)

Each category will feature three winners (first, second, and third place). The festival welcomes submissions until December 28, and over 170 high-quality films have already been submitted, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes in duration. 🎬🏆

The Summer Festival jury includes prominent figures: Dr. Abu Shuaib Al-Masoudi (Moroccan writer and director) as head, Prof. Fadwa Yaqout (screenwriting professor at the Higher Institute of Cinema), and lighting director Ahmed Salah El-Din. The jury ensures meticulous evaluation and fair selection of the most innovative films. ✨🎥

Dr. Safaa Zahir emphasizes that the festival is not only a platform to celebrate cinematic talent but also a hub for cross-cultural dialogue and innovation in short film production, making it a prime event for aspiring filmmakers in the Arab world and beyond. 🌍🎬

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