OFFICIAL REGULATIONS

CHAPTER I: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND GOVERNING STRUCTURE

Article 1. Organisers and Mission

The 14th Edition of the National Albanian Film Festival (NAFF) is organised by the company Iceberg Communication.

The festival's mission is to promote and evaluate Albanian film works, to create a collaborative platform for filmmakers, and to bring film art closer to the general public.

Article 2. Financial Supporters and Partners

1. This festival is funded by the National Film Centre (QKK) and the Municipality of Tirana.
2. The official institutional partners include: the University of Arts, Radio Television of Albania (RTSH) and the Creative Industry Agency.
3. The list of institutional, media and corporate partners and sponsors will be updated dynamically until the official opening of the festival.

Article 3. Festival Management

1. Festival Director: The Director of the 14th Edition of FKFSH is Mr Ilir Butka, who leads the operational and artistic execution, and Ms Rafaela Rica, who oversees the administrative aspect of the activity.
2. President of the Festival: The President of the Festival will be the renowned actor Mr Ndriçim Xhepa. This appointment comes at this point in his career as an institutional honour for him, but also for the festival itself and the community of filmmakers.

Article 4. Venues and Development

The FKFSH will take place in the city of Tirana, at 3 different venues and 4 screens, including:

• University of Arts: Main Concert Hall and Black Box Hall.
• Agimi Cinema.
• Piramida Cinema.

CHAPTER II: ADMISSION, APPLICATION AND FEES

Article 5. Admission Criteria

All producers and authors of films (Fiction, Documentary, Animation) financed by the National Film Centre (QKK) during the period 2013–2026 are eligible to apply.

Article 6. Application Fee (Entry Fee)

Application to the 14th Edition of the National Albanian Film Festival is completely free of charge (No Entry Fee) for all producers and authors who meet the eligibility criteria.

Article 7. Application Deadlines

The application process will follow the official calendar as follows:

• Applications open: 15 May 2026
• Applications close: 30 June 2026

CHAPTER III: COMPETITIVE CATEGORIES AND SPECIAL PROGRAMME

Article 8. Official Competitive Categories

Four (4) film categories will be in competition:

1. Feature Film (comprising two distinct categories):

• a. Feature Film – Career Film
• b. Feature Film – First Feature

1. Short Film
2. Documentary Film
3. Animated Film

Article 9. Special Rules for Directors and Applicants

1. All directors who have applied with more than one film per category for the festival have been asked to choose the film with which they wish to be entered into competition.

Their other films will be screened, but will not be part of the competition.

1. Directors who have applied with a "First Feature" film and another "Career" film may compete with both films in these different categories.

Article 10. Special Programme (Out of Competition)

1. Films selected for the "Special Programme" will also take part in the festival. This section will include films chosen by the festival organisers.
2. This section will include films made by Albanian or foreign directors that deal with Albania, its history, or any specific theme that the organisers deem to be of interest to the Albanian audience.
3. These films may be works produced without funding from the QKK.

Article 11. Selection Process

Film professionals, in collaboration with the organisers, will act as selectors for the festival's special categories, selecting the best productions made during these 14 years (2012–2026). This is subject to the number of applications. If the volume of applications is manageable, all films may be screened without selection.

CHAPTER IV: OFFICIAL JURIES AND PREVENTION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Article 12. Composition of the Official Juries

There will be a dedicated jury for each category:

• Feature Film Category: A jury composed of five (5) members.
• Short Film Category: A three (3) member jury.
• Documentary Film Category: A three (3) member jury.
• Animated Film Category: A three (3) member jury.

The various juries involved in this edition will operate on the basis of their specific regulations.

Article 13. Conflict of Interest and Rule of Abstention

If a jury member has collaborated on the creation of one or more competing works, or may have a conflict of interest with any of them, they will abstain from the evaluation of that film, leaving the decision on that film to their colleagues.

CHAPTER V: OFFICIAL AWARDS AND PRIZES

Article 14. Official Jury Awards

FEATURE FILM JURY

• Best Feature Film – Career
• Best Feature Film – First Feature

Additionally, the jury will select the winners of the following awards for Feature Films in general (without the division between the Career and First Feature categories)

• Best Screenplay Award
• Best Director of Photography Award
• Best Music Award
• Best Producer Award
• Best Actress
• Best Actor

SHORT FILM JURY

• Best Short Film

DOCUMENTARY FILM JURY

• Best Documentary Film

ANIMATED FILM JURY

• Best Animated Film

The juries reserve the right not to award prizes when they deem it appropriate and may suggest alternative awards.

Article 15. Trophies and Financial Prizes

1. All official awards are accompanied by the Festival's official trophy and the corresponding certificate of merit.
2. In the event that funds are secured for specific categories from the festival budget or sponsors, the financial prize for "Best Film" is awarded to the film's director, while the prizes for the professional awards are passed directly to the respective individuals.

CHAPTER VI: THE "ACADEMY" INITIATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL VOTING

Article 16. The Concept and Philosophy of the "ACADEMY"

1. A New Era of Appreciation: This edition introduces, for the first time in Albania, the voting process by the "ACADEMY". This is a vote dedicated to the artistic components, where industry professionals themselves will have the authority to evaluate their colleagues, establishing a new standard of merit and professional solidarity.
2. The Festival and the Academy: The Festival does not claim to establish the Albanian Film Academy, but hopes to positively influence the need for its creation by inviting operators in the Albanian film industry to register under this designation. Under the "Academy" menu on the website you can find, in proposal form, the procedure for establishing the Academy, according to our concept.
3. The voluntary registration of over 40 filmmakers in the ACADEMY Section demonstrates the support the community gives to the creation of this important instrument in our cinematic ecosystem.

The formal act of establishing the Academy may be initiated by the approval of one third of the members registered on the festival's website, who will decide on the course of action to be taken to materialise this initiative. At the current stage, the grouping of film industry representatives, albeit in an informal capacity, is fully entitled to vote on the films and their components.

Article 17. The "ACADEMY" Professionals' Awards

Registered members of the ACADEMY will vote for the allocation of 19 professional awards:

• 1. Best Director
• 2. Best Producer
• 3. Best Actor
• 4. Best Actress
• 5. Best Supporting Actor
• 6. Best Supporting Actress
• 7. Best Screenplay
• 8. Best Director of Photography
• 9. Best Music
• 10. Best Editing
• 11. Best Production Design and Filming Locations
• 12. Best Costume Design Award
• 13. Best Production Design Award
• 14. Best Short Film Award
• 15. Best Documentary Film Award
• 16. Best Animated Film Award

CHAPTER VII: PUBLIC AWARD AND VOTING METHODOLOGY

Article 18. Public Voting Categories and Procedure

1. The public will choose the winners for the following categories:

• Public Award – Best Feature Film Career
• Audience Award – Best Feature Film
• Audience Award – Best Short Film
• Audience Award – Best Documentary Film
• Audience Award – Best Animated Film

1. Public voting will be conducted via a system linked to the festival's web platform, with unique user verification to prevent duplicate voting.

CHAPTER VIII: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS, SUBTITLES AND VERIFICATION (TECH CHECK)

Article 19. Technical Screening Format

Selected films must be available in the professional formats required by the Organisers.

Article 20. Language of Screenings and Subtitles

1. All Albanian films participating in the Feature Film competition must be submitted with English subtitles, to facilitate evaluation by the international jury members and for viewing by international guests.
2. Films selected for the Special Programme that are in a foreign language must be accompanied by Albanian subtitles.

Article 21. Technical Check of Copies (Tech Check)

1. Producers must submit the final screening copy at least 7 days before the festival's opening date.
2. The festival's technical team will carry out a mandatory picture and sound check ("Tech Check") in the respective venues no later than 48 hours before the official screening.

CHAPTER IX: CATALOGUE, PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS AND MEDIA RIGHTS

Article 22. Official Catalogue and Documentation

All materials required for the official catalogue (Albanian/English synopsis, cast & crew,

director's biography and filmography, photos of the director and actors, stills from the film, official poster) must be sent within the specified deadline following the application process and communication with the organisers.

Article 23. Promotional Materials and Press Office

Producers and filmmakers must submit promotional materials for the web and press (HD digital images, official trailers, audio clips, etc.) when requested by the festival secretariat.

Article 24. Television Broadcasting and Media Promotion Rights

1. By applying to the festival, producers grant the organisers and the official media partner the right to broadcast promotional spots, trailers and film excerpts (up to 3 minutes) on television, radio and digital platforms for the purposes of promoting the festival.
2. The Festival and the Media Partner have the right to broadcast, live or recorded, the Festival Opening Ceremony and the Awards Ceremony without any additional payment for copyright.

CHAPTER X: HOSPITALITY, DELEGATIONS AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 25. Hospitality, Accreditations and Protocol

The Organisers will issue official accreditations (Passes/Badges) to all members of the artistic and technical crews of the selected films. Producers must send to the festival secretariat the names of their staff members who wish to be issued with passes/badges.

Article 26. Legality and Acceptance of the Regulations

1. Participation in the festival implies full and unreserved acceptance of these regulations.
2. It is the sole responsibility of producers, distributors or applying parties to ensure that they are legally authorised to represent the work at the festival and that they hold all copyright (including music and archives).
3. By signing or confirming the application, applicants demonstrate their agreement with the organisers regarding the venue, location, time and technology for the film's screening.

Article 27. Dispute Resolution and Competence

1. The festival organisers reserve the right to resolve any specific case not provided for in these regulations and to dynamically update its articles in order to improve and ensure the smooth running of the event.
2. The organisers undertake to resolve any dispute amicably. In the absence of an amicable resolution, the organisers reserve the discretionary right to withdraw the film from screening or competition at this event.