NOTICE

2026 ASTAR Award Film Awards

Call for Nominations Officially Open

The International Institute of Film Science & Arts (IIFSA) hereby officially announces the opening of film nominations for the 2026 ASTAR Award Film Awards.

The ASTAR Award is dedicated to recognizing outstanding works and creators who have made exceptional contributions to cinematic art, film science and technological innovation, and audiovisual storytelling, while advancing global academic research, artistic exploration, and cross-cultural dialogue in the film industry.

I. Scope of Eligibility

The 2026 ASTAR Award welcomes submissions from around the world, without restriction on country or language, in the following categories:

• Narrative Feature Films

• Narrative Short Films

• Documentary Films

• Animated Films

• Experimental Films / Video Art Works

• Film Science & Technology Innovation–Related Works

II. Nomination Eligibility (Important)

• All nominated works must be formally nominated by an individual member or an institutional member of IIFSA

• Non-member individuals or organizations wishing to participate must complete nominations through an IIFSA member or institutional member

• Each individual member or institutional member may nominate up to five (5) works, subject to the official nomination rules of the current edition

III. Nomination Method (Sole Official Channel)

• All nominations must be submitted exclusively via the official IIFSA email

• Official Nomination Email:  secretary@iifsa.org

• Nomination emails must be sent by the nominating member personally or from the official email address of the institutional member

• Submissions from non-official email addresses or non-members will not be accepted

IV. Required Nomination Materials

Each nomination email should include the following information (incomplete submissions may affect acceptance):

• Basic information of the work (title, category, year of completion, duration, language, etc.)

• Nominated award category(ies)

• Director and key creative personnel

• Screening, distribution, or academic presentation history

• Name and contact details of the nominating member or institutional member

• Copyright and authorization statement

V. Important Dates

• Nomination Deadline: May 31, 2026, 23:59 (New York Time)

• Nominations received after the deadline will not be considered

VI. Nomination Announcement & Publication

• Nominated works will be announced in stages according to the review process

• The complete nomination list will be officially released through IIFSA channels at an appropriate time prior to the award ceremony

VII. Jury & Review Process

• All nominated works will be reviewed by the ASTAR Award International Jury Committee through an independent and anonymous evaluation process

• The review process adheres strictly to principles of professionalism, fairness, and academic integrity

VIII. Additional Information

• The date, venue, and detailed schedule of the award ceremony will be announced separately

• IIFSA reserves the final right of interpretation regarding nomination procedures, announcements, and jury regulations

IX. Official Contact

International Institute of Film Science & Arts (IIFSA)
Official Email: secretary@iifsa.org

We sincerely invite all IIFSA members and institutional members to actively participate in the nomination process and jointly promote the global development of film art and film science.

2026 ASTAR Award

International Institute of Film Science & Arts (IIFSA)

Nominatable Award Categories

I. Main Film Awards

• Best Picture

• Best Director

• Best Screenplay

• Best Cinematography

• Best Editing

• Best Production Design

• Best Original Score

• Best Sound Design

II. Performance Awards

• Best Actor

• Best Actress

• Best Supporting Actor

• Best Supporting Actress

• Best New Performer

• Best Breakthrough Performance

III. Category & Section Awards

• Best Narrative Feature

• Best Narrative Short

• Best Documentary

• Best Animated Film

• Best Experimental Film / Video Art

IV. Film Science & Technology Awards

• Film Technology Innovation Award

• Best Visual Effects

• Best AI Application in Film

• Best Digital & New Media Film

V. Academic & Cultural Contribution Awards

• Film Academic Contribution Award

• Cinematic Aesthetics Exploration Award

• Cultural Expression & Identity Narrative Award

• Cross-Cultural Dialogue Award

• Film Cultural Heritage & Innovation Award

• Diversity & Multicultural Narrative Award

• Regional Cultural Representation Award

VI. Special Honors

The following awards are typically nominated by the Academy or the Jury. Members may submit recommendations for reference in their nomination emails.

• Lifetime Achievement Award

• Outstanding Artistic Contribution Award

• Outstanding Contribution to Film Science Award

Nomination Notes

• Nominating members or institutional members must clearly indicate the award category number and title for each nominated work

• A single work may be nominated for multiple award categories

• Each member or institutional member may nominate no more than five (5) works in total

• Final award categories are subject to official confirmation by the ASTAR Award Committee

International Institute of Film Science & Arts (IIFSA)
December 2025