Mag.a Margot Nazzal

For the 9th time, the Linz International Short Film Festival (Linz ISFF) is lighting up the screens of Linz this year—and has managed to raise the bar even higher. With a staggering 4,043 film submissions from 121 countries, the festival’s international character—as reflected in its name—is more than assured. Submissions came from all corners of the globe, showcasing an impressive geographic and cultural diversity. Filmmakers from Spain, Iran, Brazil, Germany, Egypt, Nigeria, Mexico, India, China, South Africa, Argentina, Indonesia, Italy, and Austria submitted their short films in the genres of fiction, documentary, and animation. Sixty were selected for the festival program. But of course, the Linz ISFF does much more than just screen films and award prizes. It brings together filmmakers, emerging talents, film industry professionals, and film enthusiasts from Austria and around the world. Encounters and exchange are a central goal of the organizers, who create space for film talks, discussions, and industry events. What particularly stands out this year is the support for emerging talent. Since 2021, the Film Talent Academy has been offering aspiring filmmakers opportunities to showcase their work and gain a foothold in the industry. In 2026, it will expand its offerings to include the “Producers in Residence” program, which brings young talent from the film production sector to Linz. This way, people from the fields of directing, screenwriting, and production come together early on. So there’s no shortage of new short films! I wish the audience many remarkable cinematic moments and conversations about what they’ve seen and experienced together. There’s only one thing left to say: Let the film begin!