Film southasia 2026
SUBMISSIONS Open
A FESTIVAL OF SOUTHASIAN DOCUMENTARIES
Festival Dates: 26 to 29 Nov, 2026
Kathmandu | 4 days
Film Southasia is pleased to announce an open call for submissions for the 15th edition of the premier documentary film festival in Southasia that will take place from 26-29 November 2026 in Kathmandu.
Since 1997, Film Southasia has worked to popularise non-fiction films or documentaries on Southasia and the subcontinent’s critical issues that inform, entertain and transform lives. Over more than a quarter century, hundreds of documentaries have screened at the festival that has been one of the last hubs for filmmakers, artists, writers and performers from across the subcontinent to meet, share their work, generate new ideas and discuss the way forward. In between festivals, a package of some of the best and most representative films travel the region and overseas as mini-festivals titled Travelling Film Southasia (TFSA).
We invite you to submit your films to FSA’26 at FilmFreeway.com/FilmSouthasia
SUBMISSON
DEADLINE
30 June
AWARDS & PRIZES
- Ram Bahadur Trophy for Best Film
- Jury Award
- Tareq Masud Best Debut Film Award
- Best Student Film
DATES TO REMEMBER
| DATE | EVENT |
|---|---|
|
20 January |
Submissions Open |
|
30 June |
Submission Deadline |
|
15 September |
Selections for FSA’26 Announced |
|
25 to 29 November |
Film Southasia 2026 |
RULES & TERMS
Film Southasia is a festival of documentaries. Experiments with form are welcomed but fantasies and pure fiction are automatically disqualified.
Both shorts and full length feature productions are welcome. However, for shorts, the film duration must be more than 8 minutes.
Entries must necessarily be on Southasian themes or subjects, while the filmmakers need not be Southasian. Entries may cover any subject pertaining to Southasia: from people, culture, lifestyle and adventure to environment, economy, politics and history. Films may be in any Southasian language, but have to be subtitled or dubbed in English.
Non-fiction films made after 1 January 2024 are eligible for entry in FSA 2026. Films made in this period that have been submitted to FSA in previous years, but have not been selected, may be submitted again.
Film Southasia accepts entries in the following categories; Competitive, Non-Competitive and Student films.
There is no charge for entry.
All entries must be submitted via our FilmFreeway page by June 30, 2026
Missed the deadline? Try getting in touch with us at fsa@filmsouthasia.org
Only Documentary Films
Film Southasia is a festival of documentaries. Experiments with form are welcomed, but fantasies and pure fiction are automatically disqualified.
8 Minutes and Longer
Both short and feature-length productions are welcome. However, short films must be longer than 8 minutes.
On a Southasian Theme or Subject
Entries must necessarily be on Southasian themes or subjects, though filmmakers need not be Southasian. Films may cover any subject pertaining to Southasia—from people, culture, lifestyle, and adventure to environment, economy, politics, and history. Films may be in any Southasian language but must be subtitled or dubbed in English. At FSA, we consider Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka as part of Southasia.
Made in the Last 2 Years
Non-fiction films made after 1 January 2024 are eligible for entry in FSA 2026. Films made during this period that were submitted to FSA in previous years but not selected may be submitted again.
Categories
Film Southasia accepts entries in the following categories: Competitive, Non-Competitive, and Student Films.
No Submission Fees
There is no charge for entry.
Submitted by June 31, 2026
All entries must be submitted via our FilmFreeway page by June 31, 2026.
Extended Deadline: July 15, 2026
Filmmakers must contact FSA to obtain a deadline waiver code to submit films after 31 June 2026. Missed the deadline? Try getting in touch with us at fsa@filmsouthasia.org
Notification Date: September 10, 2026
Directors/producers of selected entries will be notified and asked to submit copies in professional video formats for screening at FSA.
Selection Announcement: September 15, 2026
The list of selected films will be announced first on our website and then through social media. Filmmakers will be contacted regarding the decision.
Submission of Final Version of Selected Films: October 1, 2026
Filmmakers must submit the final version of their entry through FilmFreeway.com for screening at FSA by this date.
As part of FSA policy, we do not pay screening fees for films.
SUBMISSION FORMAT
Films must be submitted via online screener only. We do not accept DVDs, pen drives, or hard drives.
If selected, the film uploaded to FilmFreeway.com must meet the following criteria:
Video bitrate: 15–25 Mbps
Video codec: H.264, H.265, Apple ProRes 422 HQ / 422
Video container: MP4, MKV, MOV
Audio: 128–320 Kbps, AAC or PCM, 2-channel stereo
Resolution: FHD (1920×1080)
Cinemascope videos should have black bars (letterboxed) within 1920×1080
Subtitles must be in English and positioned at the bottom of the video area (not on black bars)
PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL
The festival reserves the right to use up to 10 percent of the entry’s running time for promotional purposes. Production stills, filmmaker bios, and other information submitted through the entry form may also be used for promotional purposes across web, print, and broadcast media.
JURY AND AWARDS
Films submitted in the competitive category are judged by a three-member jury. All awards include citations. Decisions made by the FSA jury are final.
SELECTION
FSA ’26 will select close to 50 films in the competitive category, with a varying number selected in other categories.
PARTICIPATION
As in previous editions, FSA expects to host the maximum number of delegates from selected films. Alongside screenings and filmmaker interactions, November and early December are a pleasant and culturally vibrant time to be in the Kathmandu Valley. FSA offers complimentary food and accommodation to delegates; travel costs to and from home countries must be borne by the delegates themselves.
RETURN OF SUBMISSIONS
FSA will retain an archival copy of the final submissions of selected films unless filmmakers specify that their films should be deleted post-festival.
THE FSA ARCHIVE
All submissions will be catalogued for the FSA Archive. These copies will be maintained as a record and made available to students, universities, institutions, researchers, and journalists only with the express permission of the filmmakers.
COPYRIGHT
It is the sole responsibility of the filmmaker to ensure that they own full copyright to the submitted film. Filmmakers must clear all content of any actual or potential legal claims and obtain express permission from all parties involved in the production. FSA reserves the right to disqualify any film containing unauthorised copyrighted or trademarked material. In the event of any claim, dispute, or legal proceeding arising from such use, the filmmaker shall fully indemnify FSA against any resulting liability, fees, or expenses.
Welcome to Film Southasia (FSA). Now in its 14th edition, FSA is a festival of documentary cinema and a shared space for filmmakers, audiences, and cinephiles to come together in meaningful dialogue. At the heart of the festival is a commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, safe, and welcome.
Mutual respect and kindness are central to FSA. All involved—regardless of gender, caste, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or identity—are encouraged to treat one another with dignity and consideration. Conversations, whether during screenings, panels, or informal interactions, should be approached with empathy, curiosity, and openness.
FSA strives to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Participants are encouraged to communicate respectfully, honor personal boundaries, and seek consent before recording or photographing. If someone is asked to adjust their behavior, we request that they do so promptly and respectfully.
If you experience or witness concerning behavior, support is available. You may approach any FSA team member or volunteer, identifiable by their FSA tags, or directly contact the FSA Focal Person, Festival Coordinator Urza Acharya, at +977 9765002596 or fsa.grievance@gmail.com. All reports are handled confidentially, and staff can provide assistance if needed.
Participants are also encouraged to respect festival logistics, including venues, staff, schedules, and fellow attendees. Positive engagement during screenings, Q&As, and discussions helps create a smooth and enjoyable experience for all. When sharing content online, please give proper credit and obtain consent from others.
We also invite all participants to support sustainability and accessibility by using resources responsibly, recycling, and letting the team know if accommodations are needed.
Upholding this Code of Care is a shared responsibility. By attending FSA, participants help build a community grounded in respect, empathy, and creativity—a space where documentary cinema can thrive and everyone feels welcomed, valued, and inspired.