Founded in 2021, the Short Encounters International Film Festival (SEIFF) was created with a clear and unwavering purpose: to place art, vision, and meaning at the heart of independent cinema. In just a few short years, SEIFF has grown into a global cinematic beacon, attracting filmmakers from every corner of the world and fostering a vibrant, ever-expanding creative community.
Each edition of the festival reflects this dynamic growth. Submission numbers continue to rise year after year, affirming SEIFF’s role as a trusted international platform where originality is seen, respected, and celebrated. Alongside this growth, an ever-increasing number of visiting filmmakers and industry professionals transforms the festival into a living hub of exchange—where screenings spark dialogue, and encounters evolve into collaborations, mentorships, and lasting creative relationships.
At its core, SEIFF is guided by a vision that places creativity and artistic intent above trends and technological spectacle. We believe that technology must serve storytelling, not dictate it, and that cinema finds its true power in authenticity, emotional resonance, and meaningful perspective. We seek films that challenge conventions, transcend stereotypes, and engage with the world through bold, personal voices.
Education stands as a central pillar of SEIFF’s mission and a decisive investment in the future of cinema. With a strong focus on school students and young audiences, the festival develops educational programs, masterclasses, and hands-on workshops, inviting internationally acclaimed filmmakers and film professionals to serve as tutors and mentors. These initiatives aim to nurture cinematic literacy, creative confidence, and critical thinking from an early age. SEIFF’s educational actions are proudly supported by leading cultural institutions, including the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the Greek Ministry of Culture, and EKKOMED – the Greek Film Centre, reinforcing the festival’s role as both a cultural and educational force.
Since 2024, SEIFF has chosen to hold its Awards Ceremony at the Roman Odeon of Ancient Nicopolis, in Preveza—a decision rooted in symbolism and respect. This historic site, once a place of gathering, storytelling, and shared experience, serves as a bridge between past and present. By honoring contemporary filmmakers in a space shaped by centuries of artistic expression, SEIFF recognizes cinema as part of a timeless human impulse: the need to tell stories, to reflect, and to connect. This setting stands as a gesture of gratitude toward the artists who entrust the festival with their work, elevating their achievements within a landscape defined by cultural continuity and enduring legacy.
SEIFF is not simply a festival—it is a growing international community, a space for discovery, dialogue, and creative risk-taking. As we continue to evolve, our commitment remains unwavering:
to champion independent voices, nurture emerging talent, and ensure that cinema with meaning finds its place in the world.
Short Encounters International Film Festival
A short step toward greatness.
Who we are
The Short Encounters International Film Festival (SEIFF) is an awarding body dedicated to groundbreaking, independent cinema, from all around the world. SEIFF opens its doors to the future of cinema by welcoming emerging filmmakers, actors, cinematographers, editors and producers to present their films and to be recognized for their talent, their unique vision and have their films seen globally.