Short Film Entries: Submit Your Film to a Film Festival
Finished your short film? Give it the opportunity to travel beyond your hard drive. Enter your film in a film festival, discover new audiences, pursue festival recognition and take the next step in your filmmaking journey.
DPIFF welcomes eligible filmmakers and short films from across the world.
You Made the Film. Now Enter It.
Making a short film takes more than a camera and an idea. It takes writing, directing, production, performances, cinematography, editing, sound and countless creative decisions.
But once the final export is complete, the filmmaking journey does not have to end. Film festival submissions can give your work another life beyond its original production.
Whether you have made a narrative short, documentary, animation, student film, experimental project or an AI-focused film, the right festival entry can put your work in front of people who actively engage with cinema.
Explore the DPIFF Short Film programme and review the current nomination requirements before submitting.
EXPLORE DPIFF SHORT FILM ENTRIESWhat Is a Short Film Entry?
A short film entry is a completed film submitted to a film festival or competition for consideration under that festival’s rules and categories.
Depending on the festival, an entry may be reviewed for official selection, programme consideration, awards, nominations, laurels or other forms of recognition.
The words submission, entry and nomination are sometimes used interchangeably online, but they describe different stages or concepts.
Submission
You formally send or register your film for consideration by a festival.
Entry
Your submitted film becomes an eligible entry for consideration under the applicable festival rules.
Selection
A festival chooses eligible films for inclusion in its programme or official selection.
Nomination
A film or filmmaker may be nominated for a particular award or recognition depending on the festival programme.
Finalist
Some competitions identify a smaller group of entries for final consideration.
Winner
An entry receives an award or competitive recognition under the festival’s published programme.
Why Should You Enter Your Short Film in a Film Festival?
Film festival submissions are about more than simply uploading a video. They are part of the professional journey of independent filmmaking.
Recognition
Put your work forward for consideration by a festival and its judging process.
Audience Discovery
Give your film opportunities to reach audiences beyond your immediate network.
Festival Journey
Build a meaningful festival history around your completed film.
Professional Profile
Festival participation can become part of your filmmaker portfolio and career story.
Laurels & Recognition
Where applicable, official festival selections and awards can provide useful recognition assets for filmmakers.
Creative Visibility
Give an independent project another opportunity to be discovered and discussed.
Don’t Let Your Short Film Stay Unseen
If your film is complete and meets the current DPIFF requirements, take the next step and enter it for consideration.
SUBMIT YOUR FILM TO DPIFFWhat Type of Short Film Can You Enter?
Different filmmakers tell stories in different ways. DPIFF’s Short Film Awards programme currently provides dedicated categories for several forms of short-form cinema.
Short Film
Narrative, fiction, experimental and independent short-form cinematic storytelling.
Explore category →Documentary Short
Non-fiction films exploring real people, places, events, subjects and ideas.
Explore category →Animated Short
Animation-driven short films using traditional, digital, experimental or hybrid animation approaches.
Explore category →Student Short
Short films created by student filmmakers and emerging cinematic voices.
Explore category →AI Short Film
Short-form films incorporating artificial intelligence as part of the filmmaking or creative process.
Explore category →Short Films From Around the World
Independent cinema is not limited to one country, one language or one filmmaking tradition.
Filmmakers around the world use short films to tell stories about identity, culture, society, relationships, imagination, technology, history and the human experience.
An international film festival creates a meeting point for these different cinematic voices.
If you are a filmmaker outside India, you can review the current DPIFF requirements and determine whether your film is eligible for submission.
Prepare Your Short Film Entry
A professional submission starts with a professional submission package. Before completing a festival entry, make sure your film information is accurate and your viewing materials work properly.
How a Short Film Festival Entry Works
Choose the Right Festival
Look for festivals whose programme, categories and audience align with your film.
Check Eligibility
Read the festival’s current rules carefully, including runtime, production date, language and other requirements.
Prepare Your Materials
Organise your film, synopsis, poster, filmmaker details and screening link.
Select Your Category
Enter your film under the category that best matches the festival’s published definitions.
Complete the Submission
Fill in the nomination or submission form accurately and provide all required information.
Save Your Confirmation
Keep your submission confirmation and any relevant communication for your records.
Submit Your Short Film to DPIFF
Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival provides a platform for filmmakers and cinematic works through its festival and awards programmes.
The DPIFF Short Film Awards programme currently includes dedicated categories for Best Short Film, Best Documentary Short Film, Best Animated Short Film, Best Student Short Film and Best AI Short Film.
Whether you are an established filmmaker, independent creator, film student, documentary filmmaker, animator or emerging AI filmmaker, review the current requirements and determine which category is appropriate for your work.
The official nomination page contains the latest information about eligibility, deadlines, fees, categories and submission requirements.
OPEN OFFICIAL DPIFF NOMINATION PAGEExplore More Short Film Resources
How to Submit a Short Film
A detailed filmmaker guide covering the complete film festival submission journey.
Read the guide →DPIFF Nominations
Review the current nomination requirements and submit your eligible film.
Open nominations →Short Film Release Program
Discover another DPIFF opportunity designed around short-film release.
Explore release program →Your Short Film Is Ready. Are You?
Every filmmaker reaches the same moment: the film is finished. The next decision is whether to leave it on a hard drive — or send it into the world.
If your film meets the current DPIFF requirements, submit it for consideration through the official nomination process.
SUBMIT YOUR SHORT FILM TO DPIFFFrequently Asked Questions About Short Film Entries
What is a short film entry?
A short film entry is a completed short film submitted to a film festival or competition for consideration under that organisation’s published rules.
How do I submit a short film to a film festival?
Start by finding a suitable festival and reviewing its eligibility requirements. Prepare your film, synopsis, poster, filmmaker information and screening link, then complete the festival’s official submission or nomination process.
For a detailed step-by-step guide, visit the DPIFF Short Film Submission Guide .
Can filmmakers from outside India submit short films?
International filmmakers may be eligible to submit to DPIFF subject to the current festival rules. Always check the official nomination page for the latest eligibility requirements.
What types of short films can be submitted to DPIFF?
DPIFF currently provides dedicated Short Film Awards categories covering Best Short Film, Best Documentary Short Film, Best Animated Short Film, Best Student Short Film and Best AI Short Film.
Can students submit short films?
Yes, DPIFF currently provides a dedicated category for Student Short Films. Filmmakers should review the current category-specific requirements before submitting.
Can documentary filmmakers submit short films?
Yes. DPIFF currently has a dedicated Documentary Short Film category. Review the current nomination requirements before entering.
Can animated films be submitted?
Yes. DPIFF currently has a dedicated Animated Short Film category.
Can AI films be submitted?
DPIFF currently provides a dedicated AI Short Film category. Filmmakers should review the latest category requirements before submitting.
Does submitting a short film guarantee selection or an award?
No. A submission is an entry for consideration. Selection, nominations and awards are subject to the festival’s applicable review and judging process.
Where can I submit my short film to DPIFF?
Use the official DPIFF nomination page to review the current requirements and complete your submission:
Give Your Film Its Next Destination
Explore the current DPIFF Short Film Awards requirements and submit your film through the official nomination process.