The Kalimantan International Indigenous Film Festival (KIIFF) is excited to announce that submissions for KIIFF 2026 are now officially open! This year, KIIFF 2026 are carrying the theme:
"Inclusive Future: Indigenous Roots, Nature Intelligence, and Humanity"
As the world faces growing environmental and social challenges, Indigenous peoples continue to offer valuable knowledge and perspectives on living sustainably and maintaining harmony between people and nature. Their experiences contribute meaningfully to conversations on climate action, environmental justice, and the future of our planet.
Yet building a sustainable future is not solely about protecting the environment. It is also about ensuring that no one is left behind. Through this year's theme, KIIFF seeks stories that center voices and experiences often overlooked or underrepresented, including women, persons with disabilities, youth, elders, and marginalized communities. We believe these perspectives are essential in shaping a future that is not only sustainable, but also inclusive, equitable, and accessible.
International Indigenous Film Festival (IIFF)
The International Indigenous Film Festival (IIFF) is an initiative dedicated to supporting Indigenous storytelling through film. Established from grassroots movements in Kalimantan in 2015, the festival aims to preserve cultural heritage, amplify Indigenous voices, and promote the rights and perspectives of Indigenous peoples through visual storytelling.
Since expanding into an international platform in 2018, IIFF has continued to grow through regional festivals, including the Kalimantan International Indigenous Film Festival (KIIFF), creating a space where filmmakers, activists, community leaders, youth, and audiences can connect through stories that matter.
At its heart, KIIFF believes that film can be a powerful catalyst for change. By documenting cultural stories and community experiences, cinema can bring Indigenous knowledge and perspectives to wider audiences while inspiring conversations about sustainability, justice, and the future.
This impact was reflected in KIIFF 2025, which received more than 100 submissions representing 43 ethnic groups and countries. After a rigorous curation process, 34 films were selected for the Official Selection, reflecting a rich diversity of cultures, perspectives, and experiences from Indigenous communities around the world. The festival became a platform for dialogue, learning, and collaboration; demonstrating how local stories can resonate globally and amplify voices that are too often unheard.
This Year is Your Turn!
KIIFF 2026 welcomes filmmakers, storytellers, and visual creators from all backgrounds to contribute their work that delve into this pressing issue. Whether you are an experienced filmmaker or just starting out, your perspective matters. To ensure alignment with the festival's mission and focus on Indigenous storytelling, all submitted films must meet the following general requirements:
The director or producer must belong to an Indigenous community or First Nations group.
Films must be submitted in HD quality (minimum 1080p resolution) with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
All films must include English subtitles.
Only films produced in or after 2022 will be considered
Submissions are accepted in five categories:
Documentary: non fiction, conveying the culture, traditions and lifestyles, struggles or success stories from communities related to the theme, maximum 40-minute length.
Feature Film: fiction, original screenplay and story, genres includes but not limited to drama, comedy, horror, folk stories within Indigenous theme, maximum 60-minute length.
Short Video: fiction/non-fiction, genre includes but not limited to music video, advertisement, animation, advocacy video, video message within Indigenous theme, maximum 5-minute length.
Filmmaker Tabela: director maximum age 18 years old from Indigenous groups/First Nations, fiction/non-fiction, all genres within Indigenous theme, unlimited duration.
Female Director: Female director from Indigenous group/First nations, fiction/non-fiction, all genres within Indigenous theme, unlimited duration.
Submit your film and become part of a growing movement that celebrates Indigenous voices and reimagines a more inclusive future for all.
Submission Form:
bit.ly/KIIFF2026Submission
Submission Deadline:
August 9th, 2026