White Oryx Short Film Festival opens submissions for 2025 edition
The White Oryx International Short Film Festival (WOIS Film Fest), an initiative of the Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts (MILA) at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) – Dubai Campus, has announced its open call for submissions for the festival's fourth edition. Set to run from November 26 to 28, 2025, the event will be hosted at Dubai Knowledge Park and the MAHE Dubai campus in Dubai International Academic City.
Now widely recognised as Dubai's short film event, WOIS Film Fest is a student-led initiative dedicated to celebrating short-form storytelling and amplifying emerging voices in cinema, particularly among students and amateur filmmakers from the UAE, GCC region and beyond. The three-day festival will showcase a diverse lineup of films that reflect the creativity, passion and cultural depth of their creators. In addition to curated screenings, the event serves as a vital platform for networking and community-building within the regional and international film community. This year, the festival has also partnered with Cininfo, a creative network of artists and filmmakers based in India.
Submissions are open to short films, documentaries, animations and music videos, with a maximum runtime of 20 minutes. Eligible entries must have been completed after January 2024, be appropriate for general audiences, and include English subtitles if not in English. The competition is open free of charge to school and university students as well as independent filmmakers from across the GCC.
The 2025 edition will present awards in four categories: Best Short Film – UAE, Best Short Film – UAE University, Best Short Film – UAE School and Best Short Film – GCC Shorts, which includes entries from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Winners will be honoured with the Golden Oryx Award, a mark of excellence in regional short-form filmmaking. Past winners have received filmmaking kits sponsored by Nikon MEA.
Prof. Elsa Thomas, Chairperson of MILA and Festival Chairperson, said: 'At the Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts, we believe that storytelling has the power to shape perspectives, spark dialogue, and drive change. The White Oryx International Short Film Festival is not just a showcase of student talent, it is a movement that empowers young filmmakers to nurture original thought, explore bold ideas and fearless creativity, challenge norms, and share narratives that matter. Through this platform, we are proud to cultivate a new generation of creators who are not only technically skilled but also socially conscious and culturally rooted, all vital to the creative economy we aim to inspire through MILA.'
More than a showcase of films, the WOIS Film Fest experience includes hands-on workshops, engaging panel discussions, and direct interactions with film and media professionals. With over 5,000 submissions received globally in previous editions, the festival continues to establish itself as a major creative outlet for young and independent filmmakers in the region.
Submissions for the 2025 edition will remain open until July 31, 2025.
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