Anti-War Short Film Festival in Turkey Call for Films

Manifesto of the International Anti-War Film Festival
Filming the Truth: A Film Festival Against War

To those who care about humanity, society, and justice,
To those who reflect invisible suffering on the screen, who dare to tear through the darkness,
To those who break the silence created by war by sharing their knowledge, labor, and stories:

Today, cameras must focus on the dust of bombed hospitals, the silence of trenches, and the traces of endless exploitation in poor countries.

Today, we are in an era where wars are no longer confined to battlefields; they have spread everywhere — from the media to classrooms, from our living rooms to borderlines. In this dark time, when nuclear weapons are back on the agenda and the ghost of a global war roams the world, we resist with cinema.

We turn our cameras not only to specific geographies but to everywhere war and exploitation take new forms: to cities under bombs, to silently besieged living spaces, to the shadows of propaganda machines, and to the screens where truths are silenced. Because we know: Cinema is a weapon.

The sovereigns load this weapon with lies. But we will arm it with truth.

Against Hollywood’s glittering lies, the exploitative aesthetics of the bourgeoisie, and the propaganda of the war industry; we will build the cinema of solidarity and resistance.

The fading gazes of children beneath the rubble of destroyed hospitals, the horror caused by bombs descending from the sky, the scream of howitzers that drench the land in blood, the rage of peoples pitted against each other for their rulers, the desperation of young bodies bought and sold in dark markets — we will bring them all to the screen.

Because every pain that is made forgotten paves the way for a new war.

The cinema monopolies tell us, “Accept the realities of the market.” But truth is not on their expensive sets — it is in the bombed streets. They tell us, “Consider the ratings.” But we center not on money, career, or fame; but on truth and justice. We tell the stories of resistance and hope.

We will not just shoot films.

We will produce our films together, and share them together, we will screen them in the streets, in refugee camps, in resistance tents. Because cinema is not the showcase of elite festivals; it is the common language of peoples.

And we will resist war not only with our stories but with our way of production. We will grow solidarity and build the cinema of labor, not capital.

Let’s take risks. Let’s act.

With the International Anti-War Film Festival, we are taking action. Because if a free world is possible, then so is a free cinema.

We stand against war — with solidarity, with cinema, with the festival…

👉 https://savaskarsitifilmfestivali.org/en/ ( https://x.com/uskffestivali , https://www.instagram.com/savaskarsitifilmfest

Submit a Film
Application Specifications
International Anti-War Film Festival

The International Anti-War Film Festival is a new, annual event organized by the https://savaskarsitifilmfestivali.org/en/ , to be held this year in Ankara, Istanbul, and İzmir.
Its primary focus is on short films centered on anti-war themes. Works addressing related subthemes—such as peace, resistance, justice, equality, and social struggle—will also be considered.

Spartacus Arts and Culture Association is an open, public organization founded to promote, share, and produce dissident, socially engaged, and revolutionary art and culture. Through regularly scheduled seminars and talks, it aims to bring high-quality knowledge in art, science, history, philosophy, literature, politics, and many other fields to the people.

The Association also seeks to reach millions who have been cut off from the arts due to life circumstances, using cinema and theatre to propagate a socially engaged understanding of art.
It also strives to reach the millions who have been disconnected from the arts due to their living conditions, using cinema and theatre as a means to promote a socially engaged understanding of art.

It also strives to reach the millions who have been disconnected from the arts due to their living conditions, using cinema and theatre to advance the idea of “art for the people.”

Application Requirements for the International Anti-War Film Festival
Fictional short films of 20 minutes or less are eligible.
There is no restriction on the filming format.
Only films produced after January 2000 are eligible.
Applicants may submit more than one film.

Prior participation in, or awards from, other festivals does not disqualify a film.

The deadline for applications is October 1, 2025. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered. Applications may not be withdrawn after September 1, 2025.

Submissions must be made via http://www.filmfreeway.com or http://www.savaskarsitifilmfestivali.org.

Applicants must fill out the Online Application Form on either of the mentioned websites ( http://www.filmfreeway.com or http://www.savaskarsitifilmfestivali.org) by the deadline. While filling out the form, password-protected video links (hosted on platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, or personal websites/blogs) must be provided along with the password. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the link remains functional throughout the selection period. Broken links and incomplete contact information will result in disqualification.

Once selected, films may not be withdrawn from the festival. Each applicant is deemed to have accepted this condition.

Films selected for screening by the jury will be announced on the festival’s official website and social media platforms. Applicants whose films are not selected will not be notified.

Members of the pre-selection jury, main jury, or festival team, as well as their first-degree relatives, are not allowed to apply.

Screenings will take place in venues and at times determined by the festival management. No changes in venue, session, or schedule will be accommodated.

No living creature should be harmed during filming. Otherwise, the film will be disqualified.

Travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of the selected participants. The festival committee accepts no liability for these expenses.

There is no application fee.

Films must have a minimum resolution of 1920×1080.

Films not in Turkish must include English subtitles.

Trailers must also be submitted along with the film.

By applying, participants consent to the use of their trailers in TV, press, and social media for promotional purposes.

Films will be reviewed by the pre-selection jury between October 1–15, 2025, and finalists will be announced via the festival website. The selected filmmakers will be contacted.

Upon request, finalists must send screening copies, promotional materials, and a signed approval form to the festival’s mailing address. Otherwise, the film will not be presented to the jury.

Within one year after the festival, selected films may be screened in non-commercial events, with prior notification and approval of the directors. This condition is considered accepted upon application.

The applicant is responsible for any copyright issues that may arise during screenings.

Short films that pass the preliminary selection and are included in the screening program will be presented during the International Anti-War Film Festival, which will take place in the first week of December.

The festival organizers reserve the right to change the number and type of awards. The jury’s decisions are final, and no correspondence or objections will be considered.

The festival participation rules consist of 26 articles, including this one. Every applicant is deemed to have accepted these terms. The festival officials reserve the right to make changes to the conditions.