Film & events

OPENING  
NIGHT

The 11th Ghan International Film Festival Australia (GIFFA) will officially open on Friday, 25 September 2026, at Mercury Cinema, 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.Join us as we celebrate outstanding filmmaking, amplify diverse voices, and continue sharing stories that inspire, educate, and bring communities together.
Tickets available now
25 Sep
ADelaide only
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day 01

ADelaide

Fri 25 sep
6.30pm
Mercury Cinema

Sydney

Sat 03 oct
6.30pm
Event cinema parramatta

Sima's Song

Director: Roya Sadat
‍‍Duration: 98 minutes 
Year: 2023
Country: Spain, Netherlands, France, Taiwan
Language: Farsi/ subtitles: ENG
Synopsis: In the bustling streets of 2023 Kabul, a group of fearless women protest against the Taliban Regime, screaming for bread, education, and freedom in unison. They are led by the resilient 65-year-old Suraya. The evocative melody from a ruhab, performed by her granddaughter, transports us back to the past: 1979.Suraya and her inseparable friend, the talented singer Sima, try to cope in Afghanistan's unstable political landscape. From university halls to intimate gatherings, their contrasting visions of freedom clash and converge: Suraya, a wealthy advocate for communism, blinded by it's promise of equality, assumes a pivotal role within the pro-Russian faction, while Sima, a humble, conservative Muslim, skeptical of political power games, seeks refuge in tradition and gets married. Despite their differences, their shared conviction to women's rights still binds them in sisterhood.As the political turmoil in Kabul increasingly escalates, their friendship is seriously challenged. Sima’s involvement with the mujahideen faction forces her to escape to the treacherous mountains from being arrested, initiating a series of unfortunate events that will deeply challenge the essence of her bond with Suraya. But even in the most desolate prison cells, when everything seems lost, their bond will remain unbreakable. They will realize that they have been used by political groups who were only hungry for power.Directed by the internationally acclaimed Roya Sadat, "Sima's Song" is more than a film—it's a testament to the unwavering spirit of Afghan women. Spanning decades, it portrays their sacrifices, resilience, and their tireless fight for freedom.World Premiere: Tokyo IFFFestivals: Red Sea IFF

We are used to leaving

Director: Ghafar Azad
Country: France,
Language: Pashto
subtitles: ENG
Synopsis: We are used to Leaving is a poetic reflection on the journey of Mamnoon Maqsoodi, a renowned Afghan actor, who, for various reasons, has been forced to leave his homeland. He has always been accustomed to leaving, never finding a place to stay. For him, leaving is no longer a choice but a necessity. How long will this journey continue? And where will it ultimately lead?
day 02

ADelaide

Sat 26 Sep
6.30pm
Mercury Cinema

Salam Sangi

Sun 27 Sep
5:00pm Kabul
Online

Paikar


Title Paikar
Director/writer: Dawood Hilmandi
Documentary 2025
Country: The Netherlands, Afghanistan, Iran
Langauge: Dari, English,Dutch
Duration: 97minutes

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Synopsis: Dutch-Afghan filmmaker, Dawood Hilmandi, revisits his authoritarian father, an imam with a violentpast, to reconcile their troubled history. Through journeys across Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq, theyexplore family, spirituality, and the immigrant experience. This film is both a personal quest forliberation and a universal story of overcoming alienation, inspiring others to find freedom andcreativity amidst adversity.
Title Paikar
Director/writer: Dawood Hilmandi
Documentary 2025
Country: The Netherlands, Afghanistan, Iran
Langauge: Dari, English,Dutch
Duration: 97minutes

Salam Sangi
(سلام سنگی)

Director: Fahim Hashimy
Producer: arda Film
‍‍Duration: 58 minutes 
Year: 2025
هنرمند عیار سینمای افغانستان
Synopsis: This captivating documentary delves into the golden era of Afghan cinema through the life and legacy of Salam Sangi, one of Afghanistan’s most iconic actors of the 1980s and 1990s. Renowned for his magnetic presence, courage, and unforgettable performances, Sangi became a symbol of artistic expression and national pride during a time when cinema defined Afghanistan cultural identity.Through rare archival footage, intimate interviews, and the voices of great filmmakers, writers, and artists, director Fahim Hashimy paints a vivid portrait of both a man and a movement. The film not only traces Sangi’s extraordinary journey but also reflects on the endurance of Afghan cinema, a creative force which has been silenced by current regime and censorship, yet kept alive through the unwavering passion of its storytellers mainly in exile. This documentary is a moving tribute to resilience, artistry, and the timeless power of film in the face of adversity.

Secure your tickets for GIFFA 2026 Today!

Tickets are available now.
25 Sep – 20 Oct
ADL | SYD | MEL
Buy Now