Competition rules
& regulations

General Information

The 1st Nanded International Film Festival (NIFF) 2027 invites filmmakers, producers, production companies, film schools, and independent artists from around the world to submit their films for competition. The festival aims to promote artistic excellence, cultural exchange, and emerging cinematic voices by presenting outstanding films from across the globe. The Festival will be held from 2nd to 7th February 2027 in Nanded, Maharashtra, India. Submission of a film constitutes unconditional acceptance of these Rules & Regulations.

Eligibility

• Only films completed on or after 1 January 2025 are eligible.
• Submissions must qualify as feature-length productions with a minimum duration of 60 minutes (feature categories).
• Advertising films, promotional videos, corporate films, television commercials, and commissioned public relations productions are not eligible.
• Films available publicly online (except password-protected festival screeners) remain eligible.
• Films may have premiered anywhere in the world.
• A film may be submitted to only one primary competition category. However, the Festival Selection Committee reserves the right to place the film in the most appropriate section.

Competition Categories

International Feature Film — Feature films from all countries.

Marathi Feature Film — Open to Marathi-language feature films produced anywhere in the world. Films may be directed or produced by Indian or non-Indian nationals. Outstanding Marathi Feature Films may also be nominated by the Selection Committee for the International Feature Competition and may compete for awards in both sections.

International Short Film — Maximum running time 30 minutes (including credits).

International Documentary Short Film — Maximum running time 30 minutes (including credits).

International Student Short Film — Maximum running time 30 minutes (including credits). The filmmaker must be enrolled in a recognized educational institution at the time of production; proof of student status may be requested.

International Student Short Documentary — Maximum running time 30 minutes (including credits). For documentary work by filmmakers enrolled in a recognized educational institution at the time of production.

Marathi Short Film — Maximum running time 30 minutes (including credits). Open to Marathi-language films made by filmmakers of any nationality.

Awards — Cash Prizes & Trophies

Feature Film International — 1st: ₹1,50,000 ($1568.62); 2nd: ₹75,000 ($784.31). Each with Trophy & Certificate.

Marathi Feature Film — 1st: ₹1,00,000 ($1568.62); 2nd: ₹75,000 ($784.31). Each with Trophy & Certificate. Technical awards (Marathi Feature only): Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Film Editing.

International Short Film — 1st: ₹30,000 ($313.72); 2nd: ₹20,000 ($209.15).
International Short Documentary — 1st: ₹30,000 ($313.72); 2nd: ₹20,000 ($209.15).
International Students Short Film — 1st: ₹25,000 ($261.44); 2nd: ₹20,000 ($209.15).
Marathi Short Film — 1st: ₹25,000 ($261.44); 2nd: ₹20,000 ($209.15).

Jury Special Mention — May be awarded in any competition category (Trophy & Certificate). The Jury reserves the right not to present any award if no film meets the required artistic standard.

Jury

The Festival Director appoints independent national and international juries. The Jury's decision shall be final and binding. No correspondence or appeal regarding the Jury's decisions will be entertained. Members of the Jury shall not have any financial or creative involvement with films competing in their respective sections.

Submission Procedure

Entries must be submitted exclusively through FilmFreeway or the Official Festival Website. Each film requires a separate entry form. Incomplete applications may be rejected without notice. Submission fees are charged per entry in US dollars and are non-refundable under any circumstances.

Submission deadlines & fees (USD): fees increase as the deadline approaches. Feature (International & Marathi): $35 earlybird / $40 regular / $50 late / $60 extended. International Short & Short Documentary: $15 / $20 / $25 / $30. Student Short, Student Short Documentary & Marathi Short: $10 / $12 / $15 / $20.

Deadlines: 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.

Preview Screener

Films must be submitted as an online screener. Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles; Marathi films must also include English subtitles. Preview links must remain active until 31 December 2026. Unreadable, corrupted, or incomplete screeners shall not be considered.

Selection

The Festival Selection Committee has sole authority to select films. Selection decisions are final. No correspondence regarding selection or rejection shall be entered into. Selected films cannot be withdrawn after official confirmation.

Screening Format

Selected films must be supplied as a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) or any additional screening format approved by NIFF. The Festival may request backup files and reserves the right to verify technical quality before screening.

Festival Screenings

Each selected film may be screened up to three times during the Festival. Award-winning films may additionally be screened at up to three educational or promotional screenings in India within three months after the Festival. No commercial exhibition rights are transferred to the Festival.

Promotional Material

The Festival may use the film trailer, poster, stills, director biography, and film synopsis for publicity and promotional purposes. Media outlets may use excerpts of up to 10% of the total running time for editorial coverage.

Shipping & Delivery

Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with delivery of screening materials. The Festival will not be responsible for customs duties or courier delays. Digital delivery is preferred.

Copyright

The applicant confirms that they hold all necessary copyrights, music rights, performance rights, distribution rights, and exhibition rights. The applicant agrees to indemnify NIFF against any legal claims arising from copyright infringement.

Archive

Submitted preview copies may be preserved in the NIFF Archive strictly for research, education, festival documentation, and academic study. The Festival shall not commercially exploit any submitted film.

Personal Data

Applicant information shall remain confidential. Data will only be used for Festival administration and communication, and will never be sold to third parties. Applicants may request deletion of personal data after the Festival.

Festival Rights

The Festival reserves the right to amend these Regulations, change award categories, modify screening schedules, appoint replacement jurors, and refuse any film that does not comply with Festival policies. Any situation not covered by these Regulations shall be decided solely by the Festival Director.

Acceptance of Regulations

Submission of a film constitutes full acceptance of these Rules & Regulations. Failure to comply with any Festival requirement may result in disqualification.