Tehran hosting 43rd International Short Film Festival

The 43rd edition of the Tehran International Short Film Festival (TISFF) has been underway at the Iran Mall Cinema Complex in Tehran.

The gala kicked off on October 17, 2026, and is scheduled to conclude on October 22.

Held every October in Tehran, the TISFF is one of the oldest and most prestigious short film events in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Since its founding in 1983, the festival has become a cultural landmark for short cinema, spotlighting bold voices, emerging talents, and innovative formats.

Officially recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (OSCARS), the TISFF is an Academy Award qualifying festival. The Grand Prix winner of the International Competition automatically qualifies for the Oscar Short Film category.

Each year, the TISFF receives more than 10,000 submissions from more than 100 countries, offering a rich and diverse selection of short films from across the globe. The festival is a meeting ground for filmmakers, critics, festival curators, scholars, and film industry professionals.

Its competitive sections include International Competition, Iranian Competition, MENA Panorama, AI Cinema, and Silk Road. And the non-competitive special screenings sections are Book & Cinema, Retrospectives, and Pitching Forum & Industry Events.