Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival
Submit Your Short Film to India’s Most Prestigious Film Festival
Nominate your short film at Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) and compete across five prestigious award categories: Best Short Film, Documentary, Animation, Student and AI. Gain international recognition, expert jury evaluation, official festival laurels, media exposure and the opportunity to be honoured at India’s most prestigious film festival.
Why Submit Your Film to DPIFF?
Join filmmakers from around the world by submitting your short film to the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF). Whether you’re an independent filmmaker, documentary creator, animation artist, student storyteller or AI innovator, DPIFF provides a prestigious platform to showcase your work before an accomplished jury and a global audience.
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Compete across five distinguished award categories, gain international recognition, official festival laurels, media exposure and the opportunity to be honoured at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards. From emerging talent to experienced creators, DPIFF celebrates cinematic excellence that inspires audiences worldwide.
Submission Eligibility
Please review the eligibility requirements before submitting your film to DPIFF 2027.
Original Language
Films may be submitted in any language. Films not in English/Hindi must include accurate English subtitles.
Production Year
Films completed between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2026 are eligible for submission.
Runtime
Eligible films must have a runtime between 1 and 40 minutes, including opening and closing credits.
Production Dates
Short films produced between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024, are eligible for submission
Production Dates
Short films produced between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024, are eligible for submission
Runtime
The total runtime of the short film, including opening and closing credits, must be a minimum of 1 minute and a maximum of 50 minutes
Ready to Submit Your Film?
Join filmmakers from around the world and compete across five prestigious short film award categories at DPIFF 2027. Complete the nomination form below and take the next step toward international recognition, official festival laurels, expert jury evaluation, and the opportunity to be honoured at India’s most prestigious film festival.
Official Selection Announcement
Nominations Open: January 10, 2026
Early Bird Deadline: August 31, 2026
Regular Deadline: November 30, 2026
Late Deadline: December 31, 2026
Official Selection Announcement: TBA
Selected Filmmakers Notified: February 10, 2027
Festival & Awards Ceremony: To Be Announced
Winner Announcement: During the DPIFF Awards Ceremony
Awards & Recognition
Compete across five prestigious award categories and win cash prizes, official DPIFF trophies, festival laurels, certificates and international recognition.
Best Short Film
Award
₹ 1,00,000
           Cash Prize
- Official DPIFF Trophy
- Winner Certificate
- Official Festival Laurels
- Global Recognition
Best Documentary Short Film
₹ 10,000
           Cash Prize
- Official DPIFF Trophy
- Winner Certificate
- Official Festival Laurels
- Global Recognition
Best Animated
Short Film
₹ 10,000
           Cash Prize
- Official DPIFF Trophy
- Winner Certificate
- Official Festival Laurels
- Global Recognition
Best Student
Short Film
₹ 10,000
           Cash Prize
- Official DPIFF Trophy
- Winner Certificate
- Official Festival Laurels
- Global Recognition
Best AI
Short Film
₹ 10,000
           Cash Prize
- Official DPIFF Trophy
- Winner Certificate
- Official Festival Laurels
- Global Recognition
Highlights from India’s Most Prestigious Award Ceremony & Film Festival
Why Filmmakers Choose DPIFF
The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) is one of India’s most prestigious international film festivals, dedicated to celebrating excellence in cinema and recognising exceptional storytelling from around the world. Inspired by the enduring legacy of Dadasaheb Phalke, the Father of Indian Cinema, DPIFF has earned a distinguished reputation for honouring visionary filmmakers, creative professionals and outstanding cinematic achievements while providing a globally respected platform for independent voices to be discovered.
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The DPIFF 2027 Short Film Awards invite submissions from independent filmmakers, documentary creators, animation artists, student filmmakers and AI storytellers across the globe. The festival features five dedicated award categories—Best Short Film, Best Documentary Short Film, Best Animated Short Film, Best Student Short Film and Best AI Short Film—offering a total prize pool of ₹1,40,000, along with official DPIFF trophies, winner certificates, prestigious festival laurels and international recognition.
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Every submission is evaluated through a structured, transparent and merit-based judging process by an independent jury panel comprising distinguished professionals from the film, television, media and entertainment industry. Each film is assessed on its originality, storytelling, direction, screenplay, technical excellence, creativity, innovation and overall cinematic impact, ensuring that every entry receives a fair and impartial evaluation.
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Officially Selected, Nominated and Award-Winning films become part of DPIFF’s global celebration of cinema, receiving recognition through one of India’s most respected film festival platforms. Beyond awards, the festival provides filmmakers with valuable opportunities to strengthen their professional portfolio, gain international visibility and connect with industry leaders, media professionals and audiences from around the world.
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With a growing international presence and an unwavering commitment to discovering exceptional cinematic talent, the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) continues to celebrate artistic excellence, encourage innovation and support the next generation of filmmakers whose stories inspire audiences and shape the future of world cinema.
Award Winning Stories
From Last Year
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before submitting your short film to the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) 2027. Explore answers to frequently asked questions about eligibility, award categories, submission requirements, judging criteria, screening opportunities, deadlines, awards, prizes and the official nomination process for filmmakers worldwide.
Who can submit a short film to DPIFF?
Independent filmmakers, production houses, film students, animation creators, documentary filmmakers and AI storytellers from any country are welcome to submit their work. DPIFF encourages both emerging and established filmmakers to showcase original cinematic storytelling.
What award categories are available?
DPIFF 2027 accepts nominations in five award categories:
- Best Short Film Award
- Best Documentary Short Film
- Best Animated Short Film
- Best Student Short Film
- Best AI Short Film
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Applicants should select the category that best represents their film during submission.
What types of films are eligible?
DPIFF welcomes original:
- Fiction
- Documentary
- Animation
- Student Films
- AI Films
- Experimental Narratives
- Social Impact Stories
- Independent Productions
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Films should demonstrate originality, creativity and strong storytelling.
Is there a runtime limit?
Eligible films must have a total runtime between 1 minute and 40 minutes, including opening and closing credits.
Are international submissions accepted?
Yes.
DPIFF is an international film festival and accepts submissions from filmmakers worldwide.
Films not in English or Hindi must include accurate English subtitles.
Which production years are eligible?
For DPIFF 2027, films completed between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2026 are eligible for submission.
How do I submit my short film?
Complete the official online nomination form by:
- Selecting your award category
- Filling in all required details
- Uploading your film poster and synopsis
- Providing your private screening link
- Completing the nomination fee payment
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Once submitted, your entry proceeds to the official review process.
Can I submit more than one film?
Yes.
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There is no limit on the number of films you may submit.
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Each film must be entered separately with its own nomination form and submission fee.
Is there a nomination fee?
Yes.
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A nomination fee applies to each submission. The applicable fee depends on the submission deadline (Early Bird, Regular or Late).
What materials are required during submission?
Applicants should prepare:
- Film title
- Director details
- Short synopsis
- Film poster
- YouTube, Vimeo or Google Drive screening link
- Password (if required)
- Contact information
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Additional information may be requested for Student and AI categories.
How are films evaluated?
Every submission is reviewed by an independent jury panel comprising experienced professionals from the film, media and entertainment industry.
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Judging considers:
- Originality
- Storytelling
- Direction
- Screenplay
- Technical execution
- Creativity
- Innovation
- Overall cinematic impact
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All entries undergo a structured and merit-based evaluation process.
What do winners receive?
Winning filmmakers receive:
- Cash Prize
- Official DPIFF Trophy
- Winner Certificate
- Official Festival Laurels
- International Recognition
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The Best Short Film Award carries a cash prize of ₹1,00,000, while winners in the remaining four categories receive ₹10,000 each.
Will selected films be screened?
Officially selected films may be invited for screening as part of DPIFF’s curated short film showcase and other festival-related activities.
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Selection for screening is determined by the festival programming team and jury.
When will filmmakers be notified?
Notification dates are announced on the nomination page and DPIFF Social Media.
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Selected filmmakers will also receive official communication via email using the contact information provided during submission.
Who owns the copyright after submission?
The filmmaker retains full ownership and copyright of the submitted work.
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By entering the festival, applicants grant DPIFF limited, non-exclusive rights to screen, promote and publicise selected films in connection with the festival.
Can I edit my submission after submitting?
If you need to update a screening link or correct submitted information before judging begins, you may contact the DPIFF team – pr@dpiff.com
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Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Can AI-generated films be submitted?
Yes.
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DPIFF features a dedicated Best AI Short Film category for projects that responsibly use artificial intelligence in filmmaking.
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Applicants should disclose the AI tools used and the level of AI involvement during submission.
How can I contact the DPIFF team?
For nomination-related assistance, submission queries or technical support, please use the official contact information available on the DPIFF website.
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Or Email pr@dpiff.com
Nomination Terms & Conditions
Please review the following Nomination Terms & Conditions before submitting your film to DPIFF 2027. By completing your submission, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these terms.
Ownership & Copyright
The Applicant confirms that they own or have obtained all necessary rights, licences and permissions required to submit the film to DPIFF 2027. Submission of the film does not transfer copyright ownership to DPIFF. All intellectual property rights remain with the filmmaker or rightful copyright holder. Â
Festival Screening & Usage Rights
By submitting a film, the Applicant grants DPIFF a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to privately review the submission during the selection process. Officially selected films may also be screened as part of the festival programme or associated promotional events.
Promotion & Publicity
The Applicant authorises DPIFF to use the film title, poster, trailer, stills, synopsis, filmmaker biography and other promotional materials for marketing, publicity, media coverage, social media, press releases, official publications and festival communications without additional compensation.
Applicant Declaration
The Applicant declares that all information provided is accurate, the submitted film is an original work or has all necessary permissions, and that its submission does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark or other intellectual property rights.Â
Liability
The Applicant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless DPIFF, its organisers, partners and jury members against any legal claims, disputes or liabilities arising from the submitted film or breach of these terms.
Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws of India. Any disputes arising from the nomination or participation shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Acknowledgment
By submitting this nomination, I confirm that all information provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I certify that I own or have obtained all necessary rights to submit this film and agree to the Nomination Terms & Conditions of the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) 2027.
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DPIFF reserves the right to verify submission details and to disqualify any entry found to contain false information or violate the festival’s submission guidelines.