Submission Guidelines

8th Malaysia International Film Festival 2025

Introduction

The Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) has grown into Malaysia’s largest-scale film festival, brightening the film scene every July. For nine days, MIFFest opens its doors to the world, welcoming the heart of the festival—the audience—to watch, feel, and celebrate the beauty of cinema.


At MIFFest, emerging talents, experimental works, auteurs, and timeless classics are embraced with warmth, creating an inclusive space for diverse voices and stories. With a spirit of “togetherness,” MIFFest looks beyond cinema, fostering partnerships that share a vision for a sustainable future where stories are cherished and shared. MIFFest welcomes everyone—all eyes, all hearts—to come and feel the profound power of cinema and the passions it brings to life.

Festival Date

MIFFest will celebrate its 8th edition from 19-27 July 2025, in the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur.

Official Selection Categories

  • Feature Competition (New Directors): This programme invites directors with three or fewer narrative features from any country and in any language. The aim is to spotlight the next generation of cinematic visionaries and celebrate the power of emerging storytellers.
  • Feature Non-Competition: A showcase of new feature narrative films from aspiring filmmakers around the world and locally, welcoming all languages, genres, and countries.

Award Categories for Feature Competition

  • Award for Film: The Best Film, New Hope Award, Audience Choice Award.

  • Award for Individual: The Best Director, The Best Cinematography, The Best Screenplay, The Best Actor, The Best Actress, The Best Supporting Actor, The Best Supporting Actress.

Submission Deadline

To be eligible for consideration, submissions must be completed by 2 February 2025, 11:59 PM (UTC).

General Regulations

  • Each entrant must complete the online entry form on the MIFFest website, providing secure online screening link information.

  • No Submission Fee is required.

  • Entrants must ensure that the screening link and password remain active until at least 30 May 2025. Any updates to the link or password must be promptly communicated to the Festival office at programme@miffest.com.my before this date.

  • Upon selection, information and press materials of the films will be made public on the MIFFest website and shared across media platforms, with the entrants’ consent.

Eligibility

  • Feature Competition: Open to new directors with a maximum of three feature films, including the submitted film.

  • Feature Non-Competition: Welcomes all narrative feature films from aspiring filmmakers around the world and locally, regardless of language, genre, or country of production.

  • Films must be completed in 2024 or 2025.

  • Films must have a duration of 60 minutes or longer.

  • The minimum requirement for premiere status is Malaysian Premiere (Malaysian films are exempt).
  • Accepted screening formats: DCP or, in exceptional cases, video file (.mov or .mp4).

  • English subtitles are mandatory; subtitles in other languages are optional.

Festival Responsibilities

  • MIFFest will thoughtfully consider all eligible films submitted by the deadline. However, submission does not guarantee selection. Each entry is reviewed with respect to align with the festival’s mission and vision.

  • All selection decisions are made at the sole discretion of MIFFest and are final, not subject to appeal. While individual feedback cannot be provided, every submission is greatly valued, and the programming team carefully evaluates all films.

  • Selected applicants will be notified on a rolling basis, no later than 10 June 2025. Applicants who are not selected will be contacted by email by this date. To ensure smooth communication, applicants must provide accurate contact details, as MIFFest is not responsible for issues due to incorrect or missing information.

  • In all selection matters, MIFFest will act in the best interests of the festival, its audience, and participating filmmakers.

Copyright Indemnity

Entrants are responsible for obtaining all necessary copyright clearances for materials used in their works and fully indemnify the Festival against any damages resulting from copyright infringement claims or lawsuits.