Bases SUPER SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL 2021
Minimum duration 15 seconds. Maximum duration 5 minutes
Short films made from 2015 to 2021
10€ for each short film
All genres can participate
Deadline submission january 15 / Screen january 31
Private online screen and live screen: If the maximum number of films confirm attendance
Deadlines:
2020
- February 1 until May 31: € 10
- June 1 to August 31: € 10
- September 1 until December 31: € 10
2021
- January 1 to January 24 (last deadline): € 10
15th Delhi International Film Festival (DIFF) 2026: Celebrating 15 Years of Cinematic Excellence, Global Diplomacy, and Cultural Confluence
Introduction & The 15-Year Legacy
The Delhi International Film Festival (DIFF) proudly marks its 15th milestone edition in 2026, celebrating a glorious decade and a half of bringing world cinema to the heart of India's capital. Over the past 15 years, DIFF has evolved into one of Asia's most prestigious cultural events. It serves as a vital bridge between India's vast regional film industries and global filmmakers.
Crucially, DIFF is organized as an official event featuring films exempted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India. This prestigious regulatory backing ensures that groundbreaking international narratives, artistic expressions, and diverse cultural voices are screened seamlessly without conventional censorship barriers, maintaining the highest standards of artistic freedom.
Festival Overview & Vision (15th Edition)
The 15th edition of DIFF was organized as a grand five-day cinematic gala from May 4 to May 8, 2026, in New Delhi. The festival was hosted in prestigious collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
The mega event culminated in a vibrant closing ceremony that stood as a testament to art, global diplomacy, and the power of narrative. This year, the festival achieved monumental scale by showcasing 178 films representing over 51 countries, making it a true global melting pot of storytelling.
Core Curations, Themes, and Special Focus
DIFF 2026 curated its massive lineup across distinct, highly competitive categories:
• Indian Showcase & World Cinema: Highlighting commercial and parallel masterpieces.
• Arab Cinema & NRI Cinema: Documenting the diaspora experience and Middle Eastern narratives.
• Cinema Across the Border: Breaking geopolitical barriers through shared human experiences.
• Special Regional & Geopolitical Focus: This year, the festival placed a definitive spotlight on Arab Cinema and the rich, untapped cinematic heritage of India's Northeastern region.
• Social & Humanitarian Core Themes: The definitive soul of the 15th edition was its curated screening of powerful films deeply centered on Women’s Empowerment and critical Social Issues concerning Children.
A Proven Track Record of Global Accolades
DIFF holds an unparalleled reputation for discovering cinematic masterpieces before they hit the global mainstream:
• National Award Success: 8 films screened and awarded at DIFF in previous editions have gone on to win India's prestigious National Film Awards.
• Oscar Legacy: 4 foreign films screened at DIFF have served as the Official Academy Award (Oscar) entries on behalf of their respective countries.
• Global Country Partners: Over 15 years, nations like Canada, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, Russia, Palestine, and France have proudly served as official Country Partners.
• Africa in the Spotlight: This 15th edition featured a special institutional partnership with the National Film Institute of Mozambique (INICC), amplifying African voices.
Cultural Diplomacy & Global Footprint
DIFF is not merely a screening venue; it is an active vehicle for India's cultural diplomacy:
• International Screenings: DIFF has successfully organized dedicated Indian film programs globally, including in the Morocco, DPRK (North Korea), Sri Lanka, Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia.
• Global Collaborations: Last year, in tandem with the Indian Embassy in Morocco, DIFF curated a massive Indian cultural festival in Morocco.
• The DIFFA Awards: Standing for the Delhi International Film Festival Academy Awards, this noble initiative expands the festival's footprint by hosting annual award ceremonies abroad to honor global contributions to Indian cinema.
• Mentorship of Domestic Festivals: DIFF actively extends its logistical, curatorial, and strategic support to regional festivals, including the Jharkhand International Film Festival, Haryana International Film Festival, and emerging festival properties across South India.
Complete Official Winners & Awards List (15th Edition)
Special Institutional & Lifetime Honors
• DIFF Lifetime Achievement Award: Conferred upon the world-renowned legendary singer, Ms. Usha Uthup, for her decades of unparalleled contribution to Indian music and culture.
• Cinematic Contribution Honors: Special honors were presented to creative luminaries including Anurag Punetha, Piyush Mishra, Arvind Gaur, Meghna Malik, Chitranjan Tripathi, and Sandeep Marwah for their dedicated service to the arts.
World Cinema & International Categories
• Best Film (Cinema Across the Border): The Dumpling Queen (China) – Directed by Andrew Lau (Award accepted on behalf of the film by Chinese Minister Counselor Wang Xinming).
• Best Story: Fog (Russia) – Directed by Natalia Gugueva.
• Best Director: Aichurok Borukeeva (Kyrgyzstan) for the film Stone.
• Best Actress (International): Daria Gavrushina (Russia) for her stellar performance.
• Best Adventure Film: The Hunter (Russia) – Directed by Zaur Sogoev.
• Best Historical Film: The Ballad of Piargy (Slovakia).
• Tribute Film Award: The Divorced of Casablanca (Morocco) – Directed by Moh. Ahed Bensouda.
Short Films & Social Themes
• Best Short Film (World Cinema): Happy End (Iran) – A Kurdish-Persian narrative.
• Best Social Short Film: Little Anna (Latvia) (Award accepted on behalf of the film by Latvian Ambassador Juris Bone).
• Best Actress (Short Film Category): Awarded to the lead performance in Damu Ki (Algeria).
• Best Social Theme Feature: Manusher Bagan (Bangladesh).
Indian Cinema Section & Technical Categories
• Best Actress (Joint Winners): Veteran screen icon Sharmila Tagore and powerhouse performer Rituparna Sengupta for their performances in the critically acclaimed film Puratan: The Ancient.
• Best Female Director (Regional Cinema): Sushila Rawat for her directorial work on Ghangtaul.
• Best Editor: Md. Tariq for his sharp technical brilliance in the film Raibar.
• Best Documentary: A New Postbox: Tales from the Partition – Directed by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi.
A Star-Studded Industry Convergence
The 15th edition functioned as a massive networking hub for the global film community. The festival witnessed high-profile diplomacy with the active attendance of New Zealand's Deputy High Commissioner Matthew Ayres, Switzerland's Chargé d'Affaires Simon Sevan Schäfer, and top diplomats from Russia, China, and Bangladesh.
Industry stalwarts and legendary creators—including Subhash Ghai, Ketan Mehta, Runa Laila,—gathered to celebrate the art of film.
Festival Founder Ram Kishore Parcha concluded the milestone edition by expressing profound gratitude to the global film fraternity, participating diplomatic missions, and art enthusiasts, solidifying DIFF’s mission to celebrate cinema without borders.
15th Delhi International Film Festival (DIFF): A 15-Year Legacy of Global Cinema & Opening of 16th Edition Entries
Introduction & The 15-Year Milestone
The Delhi International Film Festival (DIFF) proudly celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2026, marking a decade and a half of excellence in the heart of India's capital. As a premier cultural bridge, DIFF connects India’s regional film industries with the global cinematic stage.
A hallmark of our credibility is that DIFF is organized with official exemptions from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India. This allows us to showcase groundbreaking international films and artistic narratives without conventional censorship barriers, ensuring the highest standards of creative freedom.
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Highlights of the 15th Edition (2026)
The 15th edition was a grand 5-day gala held from May 4 to May 8, 2026, at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Ministry of Culture.
• Scale: 178 films from over 51 countries.
• Focus: Arab Cinema, Northeastern India, Women’s Empowerment, and Children’s Social Issues.
• Key Winners: Sharmila Tagore & Rituparna Sengupta (Best Actress - India), Ms. Usha Uthup (Lifetime Achievement), and international winners from China, Russia, Morocco, and Iran.
Now Open: Call for Entries for the 16th Edition!
Following the massive success of our 15th anniversary, we are thrilled to announce that entries are now officially OPEN for the 16th Delhi International Film Festival. We invite filmmakers from across the globe to submit their masterpieces and be part of this legendary journey.
Where to Submit?
To make the submission process seamless for filmmakers worldwide, we accept entries through our official website and all major global film platform:
• Festhome: https://festivals.festhome.com/ – For easy digital submission and tracking.
• Other Platforms: We are also active on other major international festival portals for your convenience.
Submission Categories:
We welcome submissions in the following categories:
1. World Cinema (Feature Films)
2. Indian Showcase (Regional & Hindi Features)
3. Short Films (Fiction & Animation)
4. Documentary (Feature & Short)
5. Cinema Across Border
6. Student Films
7. Green Cinema (Environment Focused)
General Rules & Regulations for Filmmakers
1. Eligibility: Films must have been completed after a specific date (usually the last 24 months).
2. Subtitles: All non-English films must have English subtitles.
3. Exemption: As an MIB-exempted festival, we prioritize artistic integrity, but films must comply with international screening standards.
4. Format: Initial submissions should be through secure online screeners (Vimeo/YouTube with password or digital upload).
5. Selection: The decision of the DIFF Selection Committee and Jury will be final and binding.
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Why Submit to DIFF?
• Proven Success: 8 DIFF-awarded films have won National Awards in India.
• Oscar Pathway: 4 foreign films screened at DIFF became their nation’s Official Entry for the Oscars.
• Global Networking: Engage with diplomats, industry stalwarts like Ketan Mehta, Piyush Mishra, and Tigmanshu Dhulia, and international distributors.
• Global Reach: Your film could be part of our international exchange programs in countries like Egypt, Morocco, and South Korea.
Join the 16th Edition of the Delhi International Film Festival.
Be a part of a legacy that celebrates cinema, culture, and the spirit of storytelling without borders.
Awards & Prizes
WORLD CINEMA
Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress
Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress
Best Documentary
Best Animation Film
Best Green Film
Best Student Film
ARAB CINEMA
Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress
Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress
Best Documentary
Best Animation Film
INDIAN SHOWCASE
Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress
Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress
Best Documentary
Best Animation Film
Best Green Film
Best Student Film
NRI CINEMA
Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress
Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress
Best Documentary
Best Animation Film
CINEMA ACROSS THE BORDER
Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress
Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress
Best Documentary
Best Animation Film
Best Green Film
Best Student Film
Audience Choice Awards & Critic’s Choice Award for all Sections
Artist Of The Year Award at DIFF ART SHOW.
Rules & Terms
ENTRY FEE FOR SUBMISSIONS OF FILMS:
(1) Entry fees for FEATURE FILMS (Duration: 50 mins to 105 mins max) : 5000/- INR or (63.23 USD)
(2) Entry fees for SHORT FILMS (Duration: 00.10 mins to 00.50 mins): 3,000/- INR or (36.27 USD)
(3) ANIMATION FILMS in all categories (Duration: 00.05 mins to 00.30 mins max).
(4) Entry fees for STUDENT FILMS: 1500/-INR or (21USD)
(LATE ENTRY FEES WILL BE DOUBLE THE ENTRY FEES MENTIONED ABOVE APPLICABLE TO FILMS SUBMITTED BEYOND THE DEADLINE ANNOUNCED)
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
1.Films without English Subtitles (except English Films), shall not be considered for selection.
2.Films submitted with watermarks or logos shall be rejected.
3.Only Trailers or promos cannot be submitted for selection process.
4.Film Download link with password is preferred, DVD or Bluray are also accepted as hard copies.
5.If submitting hard copies, Two full HD DVDs/Bluray should be sent by courier to the Festival office along with a hard copy of this entry form duly filled. DVDs must be labeled with film title, director name, duration, phone number and email id on them. Director pic, Poster, Film Stills may be attached in an email.
6. For submissions coming from outside India, the packages must be marked, “For Festival & Cultural Purpose only, No Commercial value”.
7. DIFF does not pay screening fees to film makers.
8. DIFF will not return the Films submitted online or vide DVDs/Pen Drives/ Blu-ray etc. during or after the festival.
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
1. DIFF reserves the right to showcase the film so submitted perpetually anywhere ( other festivals, television, online etc).
2. DIFF reserves the right to include the film and related material in its promotional activities.
3. All Decisions made by the Appointed “Selection Committee” regarding Selections, screenings, awards at the Festival in entirety will be final. In case of Dispute, decision of the President is final.
4. The film makers and their representatives undertake to use the official logo and the status of their Selection or Award strictly in conformation with DIFF 2022 designs and they further undertake to use such festival logo in all their promotions, posters and marketing publications with the consent of the festival.
5. A film selected for the festival does not run in competition automatically. A Jury will select the films which feature in Competition.
6. The Festival shall not bear / reimburse any freight or other charges in foreign or Indian currency.
7. Once selected for screening, the film shall not be withdrawn.
8. The last date of submissions of ENTRIES IS 10.12.2024 and Date of Intimation of Selection will be 15.12.2024
Iron Mule is New York's only monthly short comedy film series, screening narrative, documentary, animated and experimental comedies from around the world. In our 15 years we have presented more than 1,000 movies, including early work from many celebrated filmmakers and comedians such as Stephen Colbert, Seth Macfarlane, Lena Dunham, Aziz Ansari, and Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Galzer.
Each screening features a guest judge from the world of film, comedy, television, or the New York art scene. Hosts Jay Stern and Victor Varnado interview attending filmmakers during the show, and each screening is followed by an after party, in which filmmakers and audience members can mingle.
In addition, Iron Mule produces the "Wanna Be a Star" contest, in which an audience member is chosen to star in a new film directed by an Iron Mule filmmaker to be shown at the following month's screening.
The Iron Mule is an open, accessible festival dedicated to fostering a community of filmmakers and film fans.
The CINALFAMA FILM OBSERVATORY, held in a historic neighborhood, emerges as a transformative cultural initiative that strengthens the community network. By showing independent films, the project not only widens access to alternative and innovative narratives but also stimulates cultural engagement among residents, fostering a sense of identity and belonging.
This regular event, which takes place at Museu do Fado Auditorium, becomes a meeting point where generations cross paths, sharing experiences and reflections that transcend mere film viewing. In addition, by being located in a neighborhood with a rich historical heritage, the observatory revitalizes the urban space, attracting visitors and enhancing the appreciation of the local heritage, generating a very positive cultural dynamic
The Cinalfama Film Observatory is a regular cinema competition in January, April, and October.
The winning films of each of the three editions (Jan, Apr, Oct), will be showcased in our annual outdoor cinema event, Cinalfama Lisbon International Film Festival, in July 2025.
It's a free and open to all short film festival based in Paris (France). Concept is simple : submit 2min20 shortfilms about an imposed theme each year. For this 15th edition, it'll be "A human superpower". To participate, you must register on our website www.festivalnikon.fr/en until January 15, 2026
IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT FILMS OVER 2MIN20 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED INTO THE COMPETITION AND WILL BE IMMEDIATELY EXCLUDED WITHOUT VIEWING.
The FESTBOI was born in 2017 in the town of Sant Boi de Llobregat as a sample of the local audiovisual product.
Initially, it was only a short film competition made in 72 hours within the margin of the Sant Boi festival, but currently the festival has a competitive section, of international scope.
In this fifth edition, the festival is a space where you can not only see the best short films of each year, but also a meeting place for directors, audiences and film students.
A quality jury from the world of cinema, arts or culture, make FESTBOI a festival with a personal criterion, paying special attention to the artistic and authorial quality of short films.
Mecal Pro, the Barcelona International Short and Animation Film Festival, will celebrate its 28th edition. The long history of MECAL PRO has consolidated it as one of the most important short film festivals in Europe and the world, thus receiving the support of local, national and international institutions. We have screened in 2025 more than 300 short films in 29 sections that we program.
Mecal is strongly committed to promoting the exhibition and dissemination of audiovisual creations in the short format, not only with the public, but also in having creators and distributors meet through different activities. Mecal is also devoted to foster emerging talent, by holding events and awards specially aimed at young creators. In this sense, it also works as a short film dissemination network, organising screenings both at a national and an international level, collaborating with festivals, embassies, and institutions around the world.
Tiburon International Film Festival is an annual event showcasing independent feature and short films from around the world.
The European Fantastic Film Festival SOMBRA is a project that aims to spread and serve as a reference to fantasy films produced in Europe, as well as support European, national and regional production of gender.
The Festival is organized by the CinemArt Association of Pineda de Mar, it is an international festival with the aim of promoting a specific space for the discovery, screening and dissemination of short films.
The main thematic axis of the festival is that of comedy; however, the theme and genre of the productions is free. Quality and originality will be prioritized as the main objective, and that the production is unprecedented.
1. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of Festival de Malaga are to disseminate and promote Spanish films and their general cultural sphere. In this sense, the Festival is also a platform for Latin American film productions. Its functions include hosting an event for the different professional sectors of films in Spanish (construed as films produced in Spain and all of Latin America, including Brazil) to boost their development and promote international sales.
Festival de Málaga is recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers' Associations (FIAPF) (www.fiapf.org).
In compliance with these objectives, the 29th Edition of Festival de Málaga will be held from 6th to 15 th March 2026.
The Noida International Film Festival occurs every year to honor the art of cinema, exhibit a variety of film genres from different countries, and highlight up-and-coming filmmakers. Through film screenings, panel talks, Film Market, Networking and workshops, the festival encourages conversation and cooperation in the film industry as Noida itself is the house of world's largest film city. As a result, the festival seeks to enhance the recognition of international cinema and facilitate the exchange of cultures, establishing itself as a significant event in Noida's film scene and beyond.
Miniboxoffice has named it on the name of India’s fastest developing city ‘NOIDA’. It’s a tribute to the city where Miniboxoffice starts in year 2010 and the city itself is the house of North India’s largest Film City.
14th Noida International Film Festival-27 objective is to feature great cinema of worldwide filmmakers in a big way & at the same time providing professional networking & introducing current trends of cinema to the participants. The festival goal is to empower independent filmmakers and committed to become premium movie going event which foster the growth of independent filmmakers.
The 2014 to 26 edition of NIFF was huge success with participation of filmmakers from more than 90 countries. The NIFF-27 is expected to achieve many milestones towards the development of Independent Cinema. With this I welcome all filmmakers to come and join the movement which brings highest level of thoughts & culture of different nations in the form of enriching & entertaining cinema.
L’Europe autour de l’Europe - European film Festival Paris will run from the 30th of March to the 13th of April in Paris and Île-de-France.
Its selection presents art-house and author films produced by the countries of Greater Europe (members of the Council of Europe) focusing on connections between classic European filmmakers and new talents of contemporary cinema. One of the festival's main objectives is strengthening the creative audiovisual industry network across Europe.
In addition to screenings and Q&A with filmmakers, the Festival presents public masterclasses and panel discussions with prestigious guests from Europe.
L'Europe autour de l'Europe is where the new European film meets the European value-keeping cinema.
¡Hola! We are MADRIFF • Madrid Indie Film Festival, an international film festival with screening events from Madrid, Spain, and member of the IBERIFF • Iberia Indie Film Festivals, which celebrates and showcases new productions and independent artists from all over the world in Madrid (MADRIFF), Barcelona (BARCIFF), València (VALÈIFF), Seville (SEVIFF), Lisbon (LISBIFF) and Montpellier (MONTIFF), that you can also find them here in Festhome.
MADRIFF shares the mission of its associate festivals of supporting emerging talents, encouraging artistic exploration, fostering networking, promoting cultural exchange and engaging the local community by providing a platform to present the work of independent filmmakers.
Fiction films, animation, documentary and experimental works of any genre and subject are welcome!
MICRO is the latest film festival organized by Letto Studio after the success of u22, which took place in April 27, 2019.
This new festival is absolutely dedicated to micro movies. We're looking for the shortest film format, where the only requirement other than being creative is a maximum film length of 2 minutes.
As an international festival we accept film submissions from all around the world.
The selected ones will be shown during the event that will go down 08/09 February 2020, at the Sala Equis, in Madrid.
AmDocs is one of the largest Documentary and Animation only festivals in the United States. We are located in beautiful Palm Springs, not far from the media capital of Hollywood. We take pride in sharing the best viewing environment for both our audience and filmmakers.
AmDocs is very progressive in education outreach, market sharing and doing all we can to help our filmmakers realize their goals.
TAXCO Mexico, light city and Magic Town, one of the most impressive locations in the world, invites you to the 11th EDITION OF TAXCO FILM FEST.
Around International Awards ✈ Barcelona ✈ Paris ✈ Amsterdam ✈ Berlin.
Annual Independent event with 4 major programs for all Features, Shorts, Documentaries, Experimental, Commercial, Music Video, Animations, Student Films, TV, Series, and New Media. The international community evaluates the all-genre creations to serve ARFF Official Laurels and to certify the awarded filmmakers at the end of the annual festival run. Thus, all the ARFF Finalists will be mentioned multiple times to have the best out of the entire year altogether.
Submit today to participate in all 4 programs, regarding the unique system of ARFF International.
Submissions made via Festhome are getting evaluated and selected, directly for the yearly festival run and participating in the Official Certificate Program exclusively. Monthly selection is available on other associated platforms.
See you Around & Fest Regards
