DPIFF Official Film Release Program
Your project is complete. Now give it a release destination designed for discovery.
The DPIFF Film Release Program gives filmmakers, musicians, documentarians and animation creators an opportunity to present a completed project through an official digital release on the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival’s YouTube channel. Approved projects may also receive promotional visibility, editorial coverage and filmmaker recognition through the DPIFF platform.
Ready to release your project with DPIFF?
Applications are currently accepted for Short Films, Music Videos, Documentaries and Animated Films. The listed one-time release fee is ₹10,000. Payment begins the review process; it does not guarantee publication. If a project is not approved, the current release page states that the full fee will be refunded.
What is the DPIFF Film Release Program?
A release is more than uploading a file. It is the moment your work receives a title, thumbnail, description, platform and audience-facing context. DPIFF’s Release Program is built for creators who want to place a completed project before a wider digital audience through a festival-associated channel.
For approved projects, the current program provides an official DPIFF YouTube release and promotional support across DPIFF’s digital ecosystem. The application also gives creators a way to present the story behind the work through a project summary, YouTube copy and a quote for a blog feature.
This is separate from DPIFF’s short-film nomination process. A nomination is an awards consideration entry; the Release Program is a route toward a public digital premiere and promotional presentation.
Explore recent releases on the DPIFF platform
See how different kinds of projects can live on the DPIFF platform. These recent releases include a documentary, an AI short film and a narrative short film.
Watch DPIFF on YouTube
Visit the official DPIFF YouTube channel to explore released projects and the wider cinema platform.
Who can apply for a DPIFF release?
Short Films
Give a completed narrative or independent short film a professional digital release environment and a new audience pathway.
Music Videos
Present your visual music project with an official release page, platform support and promotional storytelling.
Documentaries
Bring a nonfiction story, community, subject or idea to viewers through a dedicated film-release platform.
Animated Films
Showcase animation-led storytelling and make the creative work behind the project easier for audiences to discover.
The current application form collects applicant location details and project information. Before applying, make sure you own or control the rights required to submit, upload, promote and feature the project.
What can an approved project receive?
| Release benefit | What it means for your project |
|---|---|
| Official DPIFF YouTube release | Your approved project can premiere through the official Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival YouTube channel. |
| Listed 10K+ YouTube views benefit | The current release page lists 10K+ YouTube views as part of the program offer. Confirm the final terms on the live page before applying. |
| Social media promotion | DPIFF lists promotional support, including Facebook and Instagram story or social-media visibility. |
| Dedicated blog feature | Your project and its maker can be presented through a dedicated editorial feature. |
| Recommendation certificate | Approved creators can receive a DPIFF recommendation certificate for their professional portfolio. |
| Golden-frame thumbnail | DPIFF provides a festival-branded golden-frame treatment for the YouTube thumbnail. |
Benefits apply to approved projects and may be updated by DPIFF. Review the current release page and consent terms before payment.
Self-upload or DPIFF release: which is right for you?
Uploading to your own channel gives you immediate control. A DPIFF release serves a different goal: it adds a review stage, a separate festival platform, a curated presentation and the program’s listed promotional assets.
Choose a self-upload when…
You need instant publication, complete channel control or a release strategy managed entirely by your own team.
Consider DPIFF when…
You want an additional digital premiere destination, festival association, editorial context and promotional support for an approved project.
DPIFF’s current FAQ states that creators retain their project rights and may upload the work on their own YouTube channel before or after its DPIFF release, subject to the applicable consent terms.
A finished project should not disappear after the final export. The release is part of the work’s journey—and it deserves preparation.
How to apply for a DPIFF film release
- Choose your project category. Select Short Film, Music Video, Documentary or Animated Film.
- Prepare your project link. Add a working link to the final project and include the password if access is protected.
- Prepare the visual assets. The current form lists a thumbnail size of 1280 × 720 pixels and a poster size of 720 × 1280 pixels. It lists a maximum file size of 10 MB and up to four files.
- Write the release copy. Keep your project summary, suggested YouTube title, YouTube description and blog quote clear, accurate and audience-friendly.
- Complete your creator details. Enter your name, phone, email, city, country, project name and Instagram ID carefully.
- Review rights and consent. Confirm that you have the necessary rights for music, footage, artwork, performances, locations and other third-party material.
- Pay the listed release fee. The current page lists a one-time fee of ₹10,000. The payment starts the review pathway and does not itself guarantee publication.
- Wait for review and approval. If approved, the project proceeds toward its DPIFF YouTube release and listed promotional benefits. If not approved, the current page states that the full fee will be refunded.
DPIFF release application checklist
- My project is complete and ready for public release.
- I selected the correct project category.
- My project link works on another device or browser.
- I have the link password ready, if required.
- My thumbnail is 1280 × 720 pixels and my poster is 720 × 1280 pixels.
- My uploaded files meet the current 10 MB and four-file limits.
- My summary explains the project without exaggeration or unsupported claims.
- My YouTube title and description are clear, searchable and proofread.
- I have prepared an Instagram ID and a concise quote for the blog feature.
- I own or control the rights needed for DPIFF to upload and promote the project.
- I have read the current consent and release terms before payment.
How to make your release application stronger
Lead with the hook
Write a one-sentence summary that tells viewers what the project is about and why its story or experience matters.
Use a release-ready thumbnail
Choose a clean, legible image that still communicates the project when viewed small on a phone or video listing.
Make the metadata consistent
Keep the project title, creator name, category and description consistent across the link, poster, thumbnail and application.
Clear rights before applying
Check music, archival footage, photographs, artwork, brand appearances, actors and other third-party material before you submit.
Frequently asked questions about releasing a film with DPIFF
What kinds of projects can I submit?
The current DPIFF Release Program accepts Short Films, Music Videos, Documentaries and Animated Films.
How much is the DPIFF release fee?
The current release page lists a one-time release fee of ₹10,000. Confirm the amount shown on the live application before completing payment.
Does paying the fee guarantee publication?
No. The current release page states that payment does not guarantee publication and that final release is at the jurors’ discretion. It also states that the full fee will be refunded if the project is not approved.
Where will my approved project be released?
Approved projects can premiere on the official Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival YouTube channel and may receive the promotional benefits listed by DPIFF.
Do I keep the rights to my project?
DPIFF’s current FAQ states that creators retain their rights. The consent terms grant DPIFF the permissions needed to upload and promote the submitted project through DPIFF channels. Read the full terms before applying.
Can I release the project on my own YouTube channel too?
Yes. The current DPIFF FAQ states that creators can upload the project on their own YouTube channel before or after releasing it with DPIFF, subject to the applicable consent terms.
Is there a deadline for the DPIFF Release Program?
The current release information states that submissions are accepted year-round and there is no specific deadline. Apply when your project and release materials are ready.
Your project deserves more than an upload
If your Short Film, Music Video, Documentary or Animated Film is complete and ready to be discovered, prepare your materials and apply through the official DPIFF Film Release Program.
Editorial note: Release benefits, fees, file specifications, approval terms and consent wording can change. Always verify the official DPIFF Release Program page immediately before applying.
