The 8th Hainan Island International Film Festival 2026 is now open for entries

The global call for entries for the 8th Hainan Island International Film Festival officially opens today! 

The 8th Hainan Island International Film Festival will be held in Sanya, Hainan Province, in December 2026. The deadline for submissions to the ‘Golden Coconut Award’ competition and screening sections is 24:00 Beijing Time on 24 September 2026. 

All films wishing to enter the ‘Golden Coconut Award’ competition and screening sections may register via the Hainan Island International Film Festival official website (www.hiiff.net).

Qualification for Participation in the Competition

THE 8th HAINAN ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

1

Feature Film Competition

1.Fictional feature films completed after October 1, 2025, are eligible. Chinese films must have a public screening license (Dragon Seal) issued by the National Film Administration and must not have been theatrically released in mainland China.

2.Minimum running time: 70 minutes.

3.Screening format: The films must be available in DCP (Digital Cinema Package), the standard for commercial cinema screenings, if selected.

2

Feature Documentary Competition

1. Documentaries completed after October 1, 2025, are eligible. Chinese films must have a public screening license (Dragon Seal) issued by the National Film Administration and must not have been theatrically released in mainland China.

2. Minimum running time: 70 minutes.

3. Screening format: The films must be available in DCP (Digital Cinema Package), the standard for commercial cinema screenings, if selected.

3

Short Film Competition

1. Short films completed after October 1, 2025, are eligible. Films must not have been publicly screened in mainland China.

2. Running time: 10 to 40 minutes.

3. Preferred screening format: DCP (Digital Cinema Package) meeting commercial cinema projection standards.

4

Panorama

1. There are no restrictions on film genre; feature films, documentaries, animated films, and other genres are all eligible;

2. The screening section will give priority to works completed on or after January 1, 2025; 

3. Films must be submitted in DCP (Digital Cinema Package) format that meets commercial cinema screening standards.

How to Register

All films wishing to enter the ‘Golden Coconut Award’ competition and screening sections may register via the Hainan Island International Film Festival’s official website（https://www.hiiff.net/）. Scan the QR code on the right to quickly access the official website and register.

Relevant schedule

The deadline for entries to this year’s ‘Golden Coconut Award’ competition and screening sections is 24:00 Beijing Time on 24 September 2026. The shortlist for the ‘Golden Coconut Award’ competition and screening sections will be announced in November; the winners of the ‘Golden Coconut Award’ competition will be announced at the closing ceremony of the Hainan Island International Film Festival.

Application Method

1. Films submitting to the competition must register on the FilmFreeway (https://filmfreeway.com/HIIFF) within the specified opening time of the registration window, fill in the mandatory information of the films submitted to the competition one by one, and upload the preview version of the film.

2. Submitters are responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. Incomplete or inaccurate entries may be disqualified.

3. Screener specifications:

- Format: MOV or MP4

- Minimum resolution: 1920×1080

- Maximum file size: 4GB

- Watermarks are allowed

- If the film’s original language is not English, English subtitles must be provided. Chinese-language films not in Mandarin must include both Chinese and English subtitles.

- The screener must match the final version of the film. Any discrepancies may lead to disqualification.

4. Films submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Once submitted, films may not be withdrawn.

5. World or regional premieres will be given preference under the same conditions.

6. No submission fees will be charged. Submitters must be the film’s production company, distributor, or an authorized representative and must ensure that the film complies with all laws and regulations, with no infringement on third-party rights. Submission implies acceptance of these regulations. The Festival Committee shall not be held liable for any disputes arising from violations.

7. The Festival reserves the right to disqualify any film that does not comply with Chinese laws or cultural policies.

8. The Festival Committee reserves the right to interpret and amend these regulations.

Awards & Prizes

1. The jury for the “Golden Coconut Awards” will consist of domestic and international film and cultural professionals with a deep passion for cinema and strong artistic judgment. Individuals associated with the production or distribution of shortlisted films may not serve on the jury.

2. The “Golden Coconut Awards” consist of the following 10 awards and prize amounts:

- The Best Picture: CNY 120,000

- The Grand Jury Prize: CNY 100,000

- The Best Director: CNY 100,000

- The Best Actor: CNY 60,000

-The Best Actress: CNY 60,000

- The Best Scriptwriter: CNY 60,000

- The Best Artistic Contribution: CNY 60,000

- The Best Chinese Contribution of the Year: CNY 60,000

- The Best Documentary: CNY 60,000

- The Best Short Film: CNY 30,000

3. If a single award is granted to multiple recipients, the prize money will be divided accordingly.

4. All prize money is subject to applicable taxes under the laws of the People's Republic of China.

5. Prize money will be transferred to individual or designated accounts, and the payment method does not affect ownership of the prize, which is determined by the winner(s).

6. Depending on the quality and number of entries, the jury and organizing committee may grant a “Jury Special Mention” and a “Festival Special Mention” in the Documentary and Short Film categories. Only one film per category may receive each honorary mention.

Guidelines for Selected films

1. Selected entrants will be notified by email and must confirm participation within seven (7) business days. Once confirmed, films may not be withdrawn.

2. The official shortlist will be published in early November. Until then, entrants must keep the selection confidential.

3. Selected films must submit required materials as instructed (e.g., DCP, subtitles, trailers, posters, synopses, stills, director bios/photos, crew list, screening agreement).

4. Selection implies permanent authorization for the Festival to use the film's materials (text, images, music, footage, etc.) for promotion and events.

5. Films must be made available for screening until the conclusion of the Festival. Entrants are responsible for shipping screening copies to the designated address, while return costs will be covered by the Festival.

6. With written approval, the "Golden Coconut Awards" logo may be used for promotional purposes by selected and winning films. The logo may not be altered in any form and must be used in its original design.

7. Each selected film will receive an official certificate.

Contact details

competition@hiiff.net

panorama@hiiff.net

festival@hiiff.net

For further details on registration and eligibility criteria,please visit the official website of the Hainan Island International Film Festival.

www.hiiff.net

*The Organising Committee of the Hainan Island International Film Festival reserves the right of final interpretation.