The 11th Ghan International Film Festival Australia (GIFFA) will officially open on Friday, 25 September 2026, at The Mercury Cinema (13 Morphett St, Adelaide) marking another year of celebrating powerful storytelling, cultural diversity, and community connection.
The festival will bring together filmmakers, artists, community members, and audiences to experience a diverse program of Afghan and international films that foster dialogue, understanding, and cross-cultural appreciation.
Following its Adelaide opening, GIFFA will continue with screenings and events in Melbourne and Sydney, connecting communities across Australia through the power of cinema.
The opening night includes the short film The Night Doctrine. An Afghan journalist embarks on a journey to find out who murdered her family 30 years ago, only to uncover hundreds of civilians killed in a secretive American-backed program.
Also showing will be Shot the Voice of Freedom. This is a story about two sisters who have decided to fight against the unfortunate fate that has befallen them in Afghanistan. They protest against the loss of their basic rights, including the right to education, work, and clothing. Now, these two sisters are striving to make their voices heard to the world
The third film will be another short film, Guess Which Hand. Two boys are playing hide and seek when one of them leaves, and the other is left alone, looking for someone else to play with, until…)
The second night’s program on Saturday, 26 September also at The Mercury will include the short film Echoes. In Echoes, Lena, a resilient immigrant, navigates the challenges of displacement in a tent. Inside her tent, she grapples with the scars of her past, revealing the resilience and determination of those living on the margins of society.
There is also a documentary that explores the golden era of Afghan cinema through the life and legacy of Salam Sangi, Salam Sangi: Afghanistan’s Chivalrous Cinema Actor, one of Afghanistan’s most celebrated actors of the 1980s and 1990s. Sangi was known for his charisma, courage, and unforgettable performances. He embodied the spirit of Afghan cinema at a time when storytelling was a form of cultural identity and pride. The documentary features rare archival footage, interviews, and the voices of renowned filmmakers, writers, and artists.
In addition, there is another short film Under Kabul’s Sky. In Kabul, where the Taliban have barred girls from attending university, Freshta, a young woman deprived of higher education, teaches children under six and uses photography as a means of resistance against oblivion.
This documentary is a poignant and raw portrayal of a young woman fighting for light in the darkness where her choices not only shape her own fate but also give voice to a silenced generation.
More information about the 11th Ghan International Film Festival Australia (GIFFA) and ticket details are available here:
