The festival will run from June 25 to 29. Its opening ceremony will take place on June 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cinema House in Yerevan, while the closing ceremony is scheduled for June 29 at the Hoktember Cinema in Gyumri. All festival events will be free to attend.
This year’s edition is backed by at least AMD 32 million in public funding. The Yerevan Municipality has allocated AMD 20 million to the festival, while Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports has provided AMD 12 million, tax included.
At a press conference held at Armenpress, Yerevan Deputy Mayor Levon Hovhannisyan said the municipality is supporting the festival for the fourth year in a row. He also outlined the city’s previous contributions: AMD 12 million for the 6th edition, AMD 20 million for the 7th, AMD 19 million for the 8th, and AMD 20 million for the 9th. Overall, the municipality’s support over the past four years has reached AMD 71 million.
The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports is also among the festival’s public backers. According to KinoPress, the ministry’s contribution for 2026 amounts to AMD 12 million, including taxes.
However, for the second year in a row, Deputy Minister Daniel Danielyan did not disclose the ministry’s financial contribution during the festival presentation. In 2025, the ministry’s support amounted to around AMD 4 million; in 2026, it increased to AMD 12 million.
Speaking at the press conference, Danielyan focused instead on the broader importance of state support for cultural initiatives. He also suggested using the word “partner” rather than “sponsor,” saying that the government’s approach is based on cooperation between public institutions, private partners and cultural organisations.
According to Danielyan, the Yerevan International Short Film Festival is one of the festivals that merits public funding, as it supports several government priorities: decentralising cultural life, involving young people and strengthening Armenia’s international cultural presence.
Festival director Guj Tadevosyan said that taking the festival outside Yerevan has become an important part of its identity. This year, the festival will continue in Shirak Province, with events at TUMO Gyumri on June 28 and the closing ceremony in Gyumri the following day. According to Tadevosyan, the regional programme helps activate local cultural life and introduces international guests to Armenia’s film locations.
Festival programme director Artyom Baghdasaryan said the festival received submissions from 95 countries this year. The final competition includes 39 films from 22 countries: 24 in the international competition and 15 in the national competition. In total, 45 Armenian short films produced in 2025 and 2026 were submitted for the national section.
Baghdasaryan also noted that the festival accepted AI-generated films this year. The international programme includes short films that have screened or won awards at major international festivals.
The festival programme includes screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions and networking events. Organisers also said private-sector involvement has grown this year, with around three dozen partners taking part.
The national competition will include several incentives for Armenian filmmakers. The Yerevan Municipality will present cash awards to the three best short films in the national programme, while one of the festival’s partners will provide a certificate worth AMD 2 million for the use of film equipment.
This year’s jury is headed by Georgian filmmaker Soso Bliadze. The jury members are actress and producer Inna Khojamiryan and filmmaker Arshaluis Harutyunyan.
The festival will open with the Iranian short film “Haze Over”.
