Film Festivals In India

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Alpavirama : International Youth Film Festival

Happens air NID, Ahmedabad, around November.
Alpavirama is a comma in Sanskrit - a precious pause - a brief stretch of time reclaimed for reflection and repose.

This year, Alpavirama is growing from a Global South festival to an International festival, inviting filmmakers from around the world, while retaining its youth focus. The 6th Alpavirama International Youth Film Festival will be held between 7-12 November 2022 at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, India.

We are glad to announce the F30/30 Competition, as well as two new programs: Audiophile and the CineBazaar.

The F30/30 Competition welcomes films under 30 minutes in duration, by filmmakers under 30 years of age.
Audiophile is a narrative and experimental sound competition for sound artists, musicians, audio enthusiasts and anyone interested in audio as a medium. We welcome submissions of audio works that push the limits of expression beyond music and radio programs.
The CineBazaar is a space for young filmmakers to connect with producers, production houses and streaming platforms. We aim to facilitate filmmakers in pitching their projects [at any stage of development] to producers for funding. The most promising projects will receive the Alpavirama Project Development Fund 2022.

We aim to establish connections between young people from across the world as a way to build solidarity in this post-pandemic world, as a meaningful evolution from the previous Alpavirama’s focus on Lockdown Stories.

We hope to nurture and develop a practice around films and filmmaking that encourages young people to experiment with the audio-visual as a form both in the fiction and non-fiction genres. We look forward to receiving your works and taking a pause for reflection on our world!

[Team]

Bangalore Queer Film Festival
4 August 2023 at
Alliance Francaise, Vasanth Nagar
Bangalore &
5, 6 August at
Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan, Indiranagar

[Team]

Bengaluru International Film Festival
BIFFes – Bengaluru International Film Festival – the flagship cultural congregation of the capital city of Bengaluru – Riding on the stupendous success of the past 13 years, the 14th Edition of BIFFes, with FlAPF Accreditation, will be held from 23 – 30, March 2023. The film festival, which took its genesis, in the winter of 2006, has risen in size, scope and stature, carving a special niche for itself as a must see festival, in these last 13 Editions. BIFFes brings with it a bounteous bouquet promising enriching experience and engagement with cinema, in its 14th Edition.

[Team]

Calcutta International Cult Film Festival (CICFF) is an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Organization and an IMDb Award Listing Qualifier.

The event is a monthly film festival with an annual live screening mega event in the City of Joy.

The Golden Fox Awards have taken place in January 2022 at Rotary Sadan (A historical film venue in the heart of the city). The next annual gala i.e. Golden Fox Awards will take place during January - March 2023 ( tentatively ).

All monthly winners of the period from January 2022 to December 2022 will be automatically nominated for the prestigious GOLDEN FOX AWARDS , 2023 (the best of the best) and they will be invited to attend our Annual Live Screening Gala in presence of juries, critics, film scholars and eminent movie personalities from across the globe.

Films entered in multiple categories may win multiple awards!

MISSION:

The sole purpose of CICFF is to develop a film culture that inspires and brings together cross-cultural innovations that enrich peoples' lives with information, education and entertainment.

Each month more than 50 films from different categories are officially selected and out of them at least one per category is awarded the winner tittle. The most representative are monthly screened in Calcutta and shared at respective IMDb pages (if applicable).

The annual event nominees have excellent opportunities to exchange their ideas and cultural ideologies. The winners have a chance to participate in Q&A after the screening.

CICFF is a division of Human Lab Corporation, a Multinational film production and distribution company.
Awards & Prizes

The officially selected project in each month receives CICFF laurel and certificate. All monthly Award Winners receive CICFF laurel and customized certificate and are rated at their respective IMDb pages (if applicable).

The awards are given in the following categories:

Best Director
Best Young Filmmaker (under 18)
Best Debut Filmmaker
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Sound Designing
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Film
Best Experimental Film
Best Short Film
Best Student Film
Best VR/AR and 360º Film
Best Drone Film
Best Web and New Media Film
Best Mobile Film
Best Horror/Science Fiction Feature Film
Best Women’s Film
Best Film on Women
Best LGBT Film
Best Animated Film
Best Family/Children Film
Best Educational Film
Best Film on Disability Issue
Best Film on Religion
Best Film on Nature/Environment/Wildlife
Best Travel Film
Best Silent Film
Best One Minute Film
Best Postmodern Film
Best Free Speech Film
Best Television/Pilot Program or Series
Best Commercial/Advertisement
Best Music Video
Best Film Score/Soundtrack
Best Trailer/Teaser
Best Film/Video Poster
Best Photography
Best Treatment/ Synopsis
Best Short Script
Best Feature Script

Besides the WINNER AWARD, there are also OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT and CRITICS' CHOICE AWARD, which are given in different categories.

Each year we select a Winner amongst all the monthly winners, who will receive the prestigious GOLDEN FOX AWARDS.

[Team]

Calcutta International Film Festival
About Calcutta international film festival: Calcutta International film Festival is a venture of ‘Indian Voice’ Media House. This monthly film festival held in the heart of City of Joy, Kolkata. CIFF is committed to discover and support talented writers and directors with a unique, Innovative style and point of view from all walks of life. We want to capture the imagination of audiences and contribute to the vitality of film culture by providing emerging indie filmmakers the opportunity to show their latest projects along with other ingenious filmmakers from all over the world. writers and directors with a unique style and point of view

We have strong allies within the entertainment industry. Our jury members are acclaimed artists and professionals from the world of independent film. Every month after a long screening process our honorable jury members will choose one winning film from each category based on their creativity, originality and effectiveness of the concept in getting the message across. CIFF will screen monthly winning projects so that your projects can get their deserved appreciation from cinephiles and reach the mass amid this COVID.

The ‘monthly edition award winners’ of CIFF in different categories will automatically enter the ‘Best of the Year’ competition as Annual Official Selections. Top projects from each category will be selected by our Jury member panel and the winner will be announced during the Annual Gala Award Event. Certificates and awards to the best filmmakers will be given through screening. Every winner of the Monthly edition will be applauded and awarded with our official certificate ready for printing. They will be listed on our website and social networks for more recognition. There will also be honorable mentions to those filmmakers or projects that have not won in their categories but whose skills and art deserve to be celebrated.

We always secure top-level press to attend the festival in order to get exposure for our filmmakers. Upcoming filmmakers are going to get an amazing opportunity to socialize with celebrities and media personalities at our annual Met Gala party in kolkata.

A certain percentage from the film festival will be used for children with hearing and speaking disabilities during the annual fest of CIFF. We want to utilize this opportunity to the fullest by providing mediclaim to some indie directors in need. CIFF will make sure that new indie directors get the funds they need for making their dream come true by introducing them with renowned producers.

Mission and overview

“IF IT’S A GOOD MOVIE, THE SOUND COULD GO OFF AND THE AUDIENCE WOULD STILL HAVE A PRETTY CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT WAS GOING ON.”

– Alfred Hitchcock

Film is nothing but a creative expression. In a perfect film, there is a splendid combination of many art forms -Image, sound,story writing, acting, lighting, editing etc. Films can be educational. Films can be inspirational. Films can bring about a change in society or in people’s minds. Good films make us feel joy, sorrow, thrill and ‘Calcutta International Film Festival’ is all about that- assemblage of such stories.

Calcutta International Film festival(CIFF) is monthly film festival held in the heart of Kolkata. We want to capture the imagination of audiences and contribute to the vitality of film culture by providing emerging indie filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their dream projects along with other ingenious filmmakers around the world. Our mission is to discover and support talented writers and directors, because we respect your talent.As Indian Voice’s venture Calcutta International film festival will work for children with disabilities. A certain percentage from the film festival will be used for children with hearing and speaking disabilities during the annual fest of CIFF. We will screen monthly winning projects so that your projects can get their deserved appreciation from cinephiles and reach the mass amid this COVID.

‘Calcutta International Film festival’ is more than just a monthly film festival. CIFF is more than just a film festival; it is an amazing opportunity for indie filmmakers to socialize with celebrities and media personalities at our annual Met Gala party.

[Team]

Chennai International Film Festival
Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation (ICAF) is a registered non-profit organization working for the promotion of parallel and non-commercial cinema in Chennai by organizing periodical screenings of world-class films.

It more than 500 members registered members including Film directors, cinematographers, cine technicians and film lovers.

ICAF started organizing – CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (CIFF) – from the year 2003 with the state government extending its support from 2008. Each edition of CIFF has seen a gradual growth in terms of attendance as well as popularity.

Apart from organizing CIFF, ICAF is mainly an active film society screening world cinema on a monthly basis for all the other 11 month of the year. It organizes at least two film festivals every month in association with various embassies and consulates in the city.
CAF started organizing CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (CIFF) from the year 2003. Striving to be in par with the best International Film Festivals across the globe, CIFF is dedicated to presenting the best of international and Indian Panorama films to the cinema loving city of Chennai, just as it showcases the best of Tamil films to the world.

The Competition Section for Tamil Films that was instituted in 7th CIFF to encourage Tamil Filmmakers has been holding a strong presence. Active participation of the Tamil film fraternity was initiated and spearheaded by Ms. Suhasini Manirathnam in the year 2009, which gave a facelift to CIFF.

The film Fraternity team providing active support to ICAF include: Ms. Suhasini, Mr. Sarathkumar, Mr.Mohan, Ms. Revathy, Ms. Rohini, Mr. Jayendra, Mr. Manobala, Ms. Lizzy, Ms. Poornima, Ms. Shylaja and many more. The festival’s presence is felt on the web, social network sites, TV and FM radio apart from the print medium. The curtain-raiser press meets, opening and closing ceremonies, gala cultural shows, Chennai Film Forum Panel Discussions, Exclusive ‘Red Carpet’ evening screenings for an invited audience etc., all studded with film personalities from international, national and popular regional cinema all add substantially to the festival’s experience. Versatility and creativity will go hand in hand at the CIFF to give an exceptional experience.
Mini-Film Festivals (every month)

ICAF also organizes 2 – 3 mini-film festivals every month in association with various consulates and embassies in the city to promote the cultural ties between the countries through world-class movies. The objective of the mini-festivals is to provide film lovers in Chennai the opportunity to experience good quality films from various parts of the world. The films are screened at any of the following venues –

Alliance Française of Madras, Nungambakkam
Goethe-Institut, Nungambakkam
British Council, Anna Salai
Russian Centre of Science and Culture, Alwarpet
Tagore Film Centre NFDC, RA Puram

[Team]

Chennai International Queer Film Festival

Reel Desires: Chennai International Queer Film Festival 2021 #CIQFF2021 is brought to you by Orinam and the Goethe-Institut, in partnership with other groups and collectives working in such areas as LGBTIQA+ rights and community support, public health, and counselling services.

Orinam: Founded in 2003, Orinam is a Chennai-based and online collective of LGBTIQA+ individuals and their supporters working towards a world where individuals of all sexual orientations and genders are able to access their human rights free of discrimination. Our activities include peer support, advocacy, arts and cultural programming, and referrals to local and national resources. We also run a community blog, and an online resource center with information on sexuality and gender diversity for media, communities, families, healthcare providers, educational institutions, religious groups and workplaces looking to be more inclusive. Visit orinam.net, follow us on Twitter, or contact us with your queries through our web form.

Goethe-Institut: For over 50 years, the Goethe-Institut Chennai has been promoting an ongoing dialogue and exchange between Indian and German artists and experts in order to present German culture abroad and help shape a current understanding of Germany today. The program department organizes a broad range of events and supports projects in the fields of film and new media, arts, theatre and dance, music, literature, architecture and more. Goethe-Institut has been a strong supporter of LGBT issues and local communities both formally and informally over the years, internationally and in India. Visit http://www.goethe.de/ins/in/che/enindex.htm

Nirangal: An NGO working for social, economic, political and human rights for marginalized communities in Tamilnadu. Activities include crisis-support to LGBT individuals and sex workers, and advocacy for decriminalization and equal rights. Visit us at nirangal.org.in or email us at nirangal.india@gmail.com, call us at 98406-99776.

Chennai Queer Cafe: An online and offline support and social space for lesbians, bisexual women, transmen and our allies in Chennai. Contact us through Facebook.

SAATHII: An NGO headquartered in Chennai, SAATHII works nationally and in 14 states to improve access to health care, justice and rights for marginalized people. Our focus is on people living with or vulnerable to HIV, and those disenfranchised because of their sex, gender, gender-expression and real or perceived sexual orientation. SAATHII co-organized the first LGBT+ film festival in Chennai way back in 2004, along with Orinam (then called MP volunteers and the Alliance Francaise de Madras. It has been involved with co-organizing queer film festivals in Kolkata since 2003, and subsequently in several other districts in Odisha and West Bengal also. Visit saathii.org or contact info@saathii.org

East-West Center for Counselling and Training Founded by Magdalene Jeyarathnam, the Center provides short-term, culturally sensitive and LGBT-affirmative counselling (individual and group sessions), training, consultation, and other collaborative and programmatic services. Our areas of expertise are in counselling sexual minorities, children and adults, including parents of LGBT youth. Visit centerforcounselling.org or contact magdalene@centerforcounselling.org

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Nir (2015): emphasizes the twin concepts of fluidity and interdependence as empowered and nurturing ways of living together. Nir is currently a support and resource space for LBQ female-assigned and/or trans persons in Tamil Nadu. Nir is committed to promoting sustainable living, nurturing forms of kinship, and interdependent non-ownership based living. Nir believes in learning from indigenous, feminist and disabled living strategies to work for life-sustaining locales.

The Shakti Resource Center (2013, 2014): A collective of activists, performers, academics and everyday revolutionaries who are creating a public dialogue on gender and sexuality in Chennai.

Oye!Chennai (2013, 2014): Dedicated to the city, Oye!Chennai is a one-stop web portal for your daily dose of city-based infotainment. Apart from bringing you a round up from the world of cinema, arts, sports, campus, corporate and lifestyle, we pride ourselves in unraveling the city secrets, partnering events with a purpose and spreading the spirit of Chennai. Our other services include event management, multimedia design and development and social media marketing. Visit oyechennai.com

RIOV (until 2017): The lesbian/bi collective, many of whose members have started up Chennai Queer Cafe (CQC), one of the current co-organisers.

[Team]

Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition

The Cinemalaya Foundation is a non-stock, not for-profit, non-government foundation, committed to the development and promotion of Philippine independent film.

The Cinemalaya Foundation was established for the following purposes: to help develop and support the production of cinematic works of Filipino independent filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity; to discover, encourage, support, train and recognize gifted Filipino independent filmmakers; to promote Filipino independent films locally and internationally; to inspire Asian filmmakers by showcasing the Philippines as the cinematic center of creativity and free artistic expression; and to establish a network for exchange, communication, and cooperation among members of the independent film sector as we commit ourselves to the professionalization of film practitioners in the various aspects of film production through the Cinemalaya Institute.

The core project of the Cinemalaya is the annual Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition. It provides financial grants for the production of, at most, 10 full-length feature films which will then compete for the Best Full-Length Film award. The Cinemalaya competition also recognizes the work of filmmakers in the short film format.

The Cinemalaya Campus is an important component of the Festival, providing a venue for interaction and dialogue between filmmakers and audience members.

The Cinemalaya Foundation also aims to support other projects such as national outreach, seminars and workshops on production, marketing and distribution of independent films. It hopes to strengthen the presence of Filipino independent films in foreign festivals and competitions, encouraging Filipino filmmakers to enter and be part of the international film circuit.

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Development Film Festival

Community Swaraj :- Of the people ! By the people !

The Centre for Development Communication (CDC) of DHAN Foundation invites filmmakers to take part in the Short Film Competition, organized as part of the 13th Development Film Festival to be commenced at Madurai from October 25, 2021.
Theme

Community Swaraj: Of the People, By the people


The contributions of the communities individually and collectively have been monumental in sustaining the development and there are been many anonymous and unsung illuminating icons of communities who gave direction to the course of development since independence. Swaraj is a powerful word that is an expression of solidarity and sustainability.

Indeed, the community at the grassroots is capable of making wonders when they join together and start working in a collective way. Their collective energy results in exponential outcomes which also establishes new social order for the next generation. The collective strength of the community brings the stakeholders together and capitalizes the resources to its utmost extent in achieving Swaraj.

Swaraj is envisioned as a state of holistic development assured with self-sufficiency across a variety of arenas in the given living context. Poverty eradication would be a top priority embedded with greater cooperation and equity. Swaraj establishes thematic leadership to ensure the sector's long-term viability.

The Centre for Development Communication (CDC) is pleased to invite filmmakers to showcase their short films either success stories on the community Swaraj or capturing present trends related to any of the themes listed below.

[Team]

Dharamshala International Film Festival
When filmmakers and longtime Dharamshala residents Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam started the Dharamshala International Film Festival in 2012, their main aims were to bring independent cinema to the Himalayan region, encourage local filmmaking talent, and create a meaningful cultural platform to engage the area’s diverse communities. Twelve years later, DIFF has become one of India’s leading independent film festivals, and attracts audiences from across the country and further afield. The festival also nurtures the larger independent filmmaking community in India and South Asia, and builds networks of solidarity, support and resources.

DIFF is known for its bold and adventurous programming that enriches knowledge and understanding of societies, cultures and ideas. Its cutting-edge films provoke questions and discussion on issues that are relevant and current, and address universal themes of human experience. Bringing filmmakers to the festival has been a constant priority for DIFF and its large network of alumni filmmakers and film professionals includes the majority of key independent filmmakers working in South Asia today.

After two years of Covid-19 instigated online editions, the 11th edition of DIFF came back with a bang in 2022 as a physical event. The festival was a huge success and attracted more audiences than ever before.

The 12th Edition of DIFF will take place once again in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala from 3–6 November 2023. The DIFF team eagerly looks forward to welcoming its audiences back with another carefully curated lineup of exciting, unusual and eclectic films, along with a range of interactive sessions with filmmakers and film professionals.