SIFF ING | The Era of Vertical Cinema is Here: Call for Entries Underway

Tired of horizontal frames?

This time, we're revolutionizing perspectives with a 90-degree turn -

Your chance to conquer

an international competitive feature film festival with vertical storytelling starts now!

The Vertical Short Video section of SIFF ING for the 27th SIFF has officially been launched on March 20, now seeking groundbreaking works from creators to redefine vertical cinematography.

Competition Structure

Two-round Challenge:

ROUND 1：

Deadline: April 21, 2025

Submit representative works (horizontal/vertical frame)

12 finalists advance to the ultimate showdown

ROUND 2：

During SIFF ING in June 2025

The 12 finalists will be paired up by the organizing committee, collaboratively creating vertical-frame works within a timeframe;

6 teams will face off in a peak showdown, to compete for “Official Selection” honors.

Finalist Benefits

The 12 selected filmmakers will receive:

An all-access “entry pass” to SIFF ING activities

The opportunity to stay at designated hotels and share insights with fellow creators

A chance to walk the red carpet at the festival’s closing ceremony

adding a highlight moment to your life

Upcoming exclusive training sessions facilitated by industry leaders 

...and many more surprises to be unlocked!

Important Registration Guide - Must Read:

STEP 1

Visit the official website of SIFF: www.siff.com

STEP 2

Click on [Registration Submission] - [ING Submission]

STEP 3

Select [Vertical Short Video]

STEP 4

Register, fill out the application information, and upload your representative work

Criteria for Representative Works:

Filming time: From January 1, 2024, to April 21, 2025;

Running time: Within 10 minutes (including the opening and closing credits);

Genre: Narrative and documentary are accepted;

Subtitle: Subtitles in both Chinese and English are required for dialogue, voice-over, and narration;

Quality: The works shall be submitted in MOV or MP4 format, in high definition (1080p HD) using H.264 encoding, and comply with the screening requirements for 2K;

Aspect ratio: Either landscape or portrait orientation, portrait orientation is preferred.

For detailed regulations, please refer to: www.siff.com - [New Talent] - [SIFF ING].

Don’t let inspiration go to waste. Awaken your vertical-frame creative instincts

SIFF ING Vertical Short Video awaits your visionary works

For any inquiries,

please contact the SIFF ING team

siffing@siff.com

SIFF ING

SIFF ING of the 27th SIFF seeks to unearth the creative potential and enthusiasm of young creators in the new era, providing a broader platform for young filmmakers. The 2025 SIFF ING, featuring two tracks - AIGC and Vertical Short Video, will spotlight “New Technologies”, “New Perspectives”, and “Young Creators”, to bring together fresh, eclectic young creative forces from different cultural backgrounds.