Luba Balagova Kandour
President · Film Director, Writer & Producer
Visionary founder of SIFFA, an internationally recognised film director, producer, poet and novelist, devoted to fostering intercultural dialogue through the arts.
Independent Film Festival & Awards
About SIFFA
A non-profit festival celebrating cinema, art and literature, and the storytellers who use them to build bridges between cultures. Since 2016, SIFFA has brought international films to UK audiences and honoured voices that remind us there is more that connects us than divides us.
Our mission
Building cultural bridges through cinema
SIFFA is a non-profit organisation celebrating lifetime and career contributions to cultural dialogue and bridge-building through the language of cinema, art and literature. Awards were given for individual works since 2006.
We bring UK audiences films they can't see anywhere else in this country, and through special poetry, literature and art events we deepen communities' understanding of different cultures and backgrounds. We support British and international filmmakers, help them reach the world film industry, and create opportunities for international co-production.
Within the festival there's an educational element too: presentations, masterclasses and a concert programme.
Cinema has the power to change opinions and attitudes, and to remind us there is more that connects us than divides us, emotionally, spiritually and culturally.
Founders
Luba Balagova & Mohy Quandour
Luba Balagova Kandour, SIFFA's founder and president, is a visionary leader, poet, screenwriter and producer. With her late husband, the celebrated filmmaker Mohy Quandour, she shaped SIFFA into a major event celebrating global cinema, music and literature.
Their shared belief that film can carry understanding across borders remains the heart of everything the festival does today.
The Awards
Fifteen total IRIDA awards
The SIFFA Awards are held in London each year in the third week of November, alongside public screenings of the competitive selection in three categories: feature, documentary and short. Special awards also recognise lifetime achievement in cinema, literature and art.
- 01Best Film
- 02Best Director
- 03Best Actor / Actress
- 04Best Screenplay
- 05Best Cinematography
- 06Best Costume Design
- 07Jury Award
- 08Audience Award
- 09Best Editing
- 10Best Original Score
- 11Best Documentary
- 12Best Short Film
- 13Vera Glagoleva Award: Best Debut Film
- 14Mohy Quandour Award: Best Youth-Focused Film
- 15The SIFFA President's Award
The Team
The people behind the festival
Behind SIFFA's mission stands a passionate team of professionals, artists and cultural ambassadors, working year-round to bring international talent together and champion voices that move, challenge and inspire.
Elizabeth Jones
Vice President · Head of International Cultural Relations & Legal
A creative force, Elizabeth helps shape SIFFA's artistic direction and legal framework, and leads the festival's international outreach and cultural partnerships.
Anastasia Ivanova
Programme Manager & Events Coordinator
The driving force behind SIFFA's production and international programming, ensuring every edition is seamless and inspiring.
Larisa Khatsukova
Cultural Partnerships & Community Engagement
A core member of the team, Larisa cultivates SIFFA's cultural alliances and fosters meaningful connections with diverse communities.
Charles Stewart
Strategic Advisor & Special Projects
An invaluable contributor to SIFFA's vision, Charles supports key strategic initiatives and festival development.
Kazbek Kandour
Digital Design & Development Lead
Kazbek started with SIFFA as a design assistant and now leads its visual identity across digital media. Currently he is rebuilding the festival's website from the ground up.
Join us
Where stories come alive
Enter your film, partner with the festival, or simply join us in London, and help show the world open minds and hearts of gold on the silver screen.