Frames of Palestine

Call for Applications:

We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for Frames of Palestine: Palestinian Student Film Awards 2026, organized under the Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi’s Professorship Chair for Palestinian Studies at the University of Sharjah.

This competition celebrates the next generation of Palestinian filmmakers and invites you to share your story, a story that reflects your experience, your perspective, and your voice. We encourage you to explore your ideas with creativity, whether through fiction, documentary, or animation, and to create something meaningful, something honest, and something that deserves to be seen and shared.

 Who can apply?

We invite Palestinian university students and young filmmakers, aged 18–30, currently residing in Gaza or West Bank. Applicants may apply individually or as a group.

Competition Categories

• Best Fiction Short Film (Max 20 min) – 20,000 AED Prize
• Best Documentary Short Film (Max 20 min) – 20,000 AED Prize
• Best Animation Short Film (Min 10 min) – 20,000 AED Prize

Honorific Mentions:

• Honorific Mention 1 – 10,000 AED Prize
• Honorific Mention 2 – 10,000 AED Prize
• Honorific Mention 3 – 10,000 AED Prize

Beyond the Prize:

Selected films may be considered for international exposure opportunities, including participation in film festivals. Selected teams may also receive support to help facilitate this process.

How to Apply?

To apply, please complete the online application form:https://forms.office.com/r/Z1siwguvL4

This is the first stage of the competition.

Applicants who are selected will receive an acceptance email with:

• The official film submission form 
• Full competition guidelines 
• Evaluation criteria and judging rubric 
• Important dates 
• Free helpful resources to support their submission 
  
   

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: May 30, 2026 
• Film Submission Deadline (Selected Applicants Only): October 31, 2026 
• Awards Announcement: February 2027 (exact date to be confirmed)

If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact us at: cps@sharjah.ac.ae

We wish all applicants the very best and look forward to seeing your work.