Questions,
answered

Filmmakers, producers, production companies, film schools and independent artists from anywhere in the world may submit. Choose the category that best matches your film — feature, short, documentary, or student. Only films completed on or after 1 January 2025 are eligible.

Feature films must run a minimum of 60 minutes. Short, documentary and student films have a maximum running time of 30 minutes including credits.

Earlybird — 31 August 2026; Regular — 30 September 2026; Late — 20 October 2026; Extended — 10 November 2026. Late submissions may be accepted only at the Festival's discretion.

Fees are quoted in US dollars and rise as the deadline nears. Feature films: $35/$40/$50/$60. International Short & Short Documentary: $15/$20/$25/$30. Student Short, Student Short Documentary & Marathi Short: $10/$12/$15/$20 (earlybird/regular/late/extended). Applicants in India are billed the equivalent in rupees at checkout. See Festival Info for the full table.

Two ways: through our FilmFreeway page, or directly on this website. For direct submission you choose a category, then pay the fee on Razorpay's secure payment page (you leave our site briefly and are redirected straight back after paying) to unlock the submission form. Each film requires a separate entry.

No. At entry you provide an online screener link (and a password if it's protected). Preview links must remain active until 31 December 2026. Selected films are later supplied as a DCP or another NIFF-approved format.

Submission fees are per entry and non-refundable under any circumstances, including for films that are not selected.

Films in any language are welcome. Films not in English — including Marathi films — must include English subtitles for jury review.

Cash prizes with a trophy and certificate. Marathi Feature Film also carries technical awards (Director, Actress, Actor, Cinematography, Screenplay, Editing). A Jury Special Mention may be awarded in any category.

Payment is on Razorpay's secure hosted page. Applicants in India pay in rupees with UPI, cards, netbanking or wallets; international applicants pay in US dollars by card. You fill in your film details first — payment is the final step, so nothing is charged until your entry is complete.

Yes — payment happens entirely on Razorpay's own secure page; no card details touch this website. Because your film details are saved before payment, your entry is never lost: if a payment fails you can retry, and you'll have a reference number to quote if you need to contact us.