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 – India’s most prestigious platform celebrating short film excellence. Win the Best Short Film Award, gain jury recognition, media coverage and global screening opportunities. DPIFF honours visionary storytellers and empowers filmmakers who shape the future of cinema.
Why Submit to DPIFF?
Step into the spotlight at Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival – India’s premier platform for short film submissions. DPIFF celebrates outstanding independent filmmakers, student films and emerging storytellers from across the globe.
Gain international recognition, compete for the Best Short Film Award, and showcase your work to a distinguished jury, media, and global audience. Whether you’re a first-time director or an award-winning creator, DPIFF is where your story deserves to be seen.
Standards Of Excellence
All submissions must meet the following criteria to be considered for selection:
Original Language
Films must be in their original language. If the original language is not Hindi/English, English subtitles are required
Production Dates
Short films produced between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025, are eligible for submission
Runtime
The total runtime of the short film, must be a minimum of 1 minute and a maximum of 45 minutes.
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
Submit Your Story to DPIFF
Nomination Form for Best Short Film at DPIFF 2026
Important Dates
Opening date: May 10, 2025
Early Bird Deadline: August 01, 2025
Regular Deadline: November 30, 2025
Late Deadline: December 31, 2025
Official Announcement Date:
Notification Date: February 10, 2026
Event Date: February 18–20, 2026
Turning Your Passion
Into Our Prestige
For the creators who redefine storytelling, DPIFF offers more than awards, it offers a place in cinematic history. Bring your vision, and we’ll bring the honours.
Best Short Film Winner
Honoured with Award
₹ 1,00,000
(One Lakh Rupees)
Cash Prize
1st Runner up
Honoured with a Memento
₹ 15,000
(Fifteen Thousand Rupees)
Cash Prize
2nd Runner up
Honoured with a Memento
₹ 10,000
(Ten Thousand Rupees)
Cash Prize
3rd Runner up
Honoured with a Memento
₹ 5,000
(Five Thousand Rupees)
Cash Prize
Highlights from India’s Most Prestigious Award Ceremony & Film Festival
Celebrating Excellence in Cinema
Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF), known for honouring outstanding contributions to cinema and celebrating visionary filmmakers, has a special award category for Short Film recognition through its festival’s endeavour. Filmmakers from around the globe are invited to showcase their work on this prestigious platform, created in tribute to Dadasaheb Phalke Ji, the father of Indian cinema. Offering filmmakers a chance to gain international exposure, DPIFF provides an esteemed platform to amplify their creative vision, connect with industry leaders and compete for the coveted Best Short Film Award along with a cash prize of INR 1,00,000/-. Short films of all genres and themes, from social issues and drama to experimental and comedy, to take part in this esteemed competition.
The festival takes a special interest in fostering talent within the realm of short films and documentaries. In acknowledgement of the vast reservoir of creativity among short filmmakers, it has instituted a dedicated award category for short films and special consideration for documentaries. This initiative is designed to celebrate the exceptional creative prowess of short film-makers, meticulously evaluating, showcasing, and honouring their work at the festival. Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival streams live on ZEE5 and Telecasts on ZEE TV in 90+ Countries, reaching millions of viewers globally.
The short films have been meticulously selected and ranked among the Top 100, Top 50, Top 21, Top 10 and lastly the Top 5 entries by the esteemed panel of jurors at the festival. Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival recognizes and rewards excellence in short filmmaking with the above awards and prizes.
Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival was founded to carry forward the legacy of Late Shri Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, lovingly known as Dadasaheb Phalke – The Father of Indian Cinema. The festival celebrates and recognizes the brilliance of the Indian Film Industry and the ever-evolving cultural impact that India is making on a global scale, primarily through the medium of cinema. DPIFF is a unique initiative intended to honour the Entertainment Industry and to appreciate creativity in the spectacular world of cinema. It honours all three prodigious segments – the Indian Film Industry, Indian Television Industry and International Film Fraternity – under the same roof.
Award Winning Stories
From Last Year
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about submitting your short film to the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival? Explore our comprehensive FAQs covering eligibility, nomination process, submission guidelines, deadlines, jury criteria and more. Whether you’re an indie filmmaker, student, or professional, everything you need to know is right here.
Who can submit a short film to DPIFF?
Independent filmmakers, film students, creative professionals, and production houses from India and around the world are invited to submit their work to the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival.
Whether you’re a debut director or an experienced storyteller, DPIFF provides an inclusive platform to showcase cinematic excellence and gain national and international recognition.
What types of short films are eligible for nomination?
DPIFF accepts a wide range of short film genres, including fiction, non-fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, student films, and socially driven narratives.
We welcome original storytelling that reflects creativity, innovation, and diverse cultural perspectives.
Is there a time limit for the short film?
Yes. The duration of the short film must be between 1 and 45 minutes, including credits.
Are international films accepted?
Absolutely. DPIFF is an international film festival that proudly accepts short films from all countries.
However, all non-English and non-Hindi films must include accurate English subtitles to ensure eligibility and fair jury evaluation.
How do I submit my short film?
To submit your short film, visit the official DPIFF nomination page at www.dpiff.in/nomination.
Fill out the online submission form, upload a Short Film link and complete the nomination fee payment. Submissions are reviewed by our selection team and jury panel to determine eligibility for awards and screenings.
Is there a nomination fee?
Yes. A nominal fee of INR 2,000 is applicable for each short film submission. Details are provided on the nomination page.
What are the benefits of submitting to DPIFF?
Selected films gain jury exposure, media recognition, DPIFF laurels, a Certificate of Recognition, and eligibility for the Best Short Film Award.
Will my short film be screened publicly?
Yes. The Top 10 officially selected short films will be showcased at the prestigious DPIFF Short Film Screening Gala — a curated cinematic event hosted in the lead-up to the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards.
These screenings are attended by an esteemed panel of jury members, including Consulate Generals from multiple countries, award-winning film directors, producers, and prominent personalities from the Indian and international film industries.
Public screening at DPIFF offers unmatched visibility, elevates the recognition of your film, and provides valuable opportunities for media exposure, critical appreciation, and industry networking.
Can I submit multiple short films?
Yes, you are welcome to submit multiple short films to the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival.
Each film must be submitted through a separate nomination form and accompanied by an individual submission fee. This allows every entry to be fairly reviewed and evaluated by our jury.
Submitting more than one project increases your chances of selection and visibility.
When will the results or selections be announced?
The selection results for DPIFF Short Film Nominations will be communicated via official email, announced on the DPIFF official website (www.dpiff.in), and shared across our verified social media platforms.
Filmmakers whose work has been shortlisted will receive timely updates, including next steps for media exposure, award eligibility, and screening schedules. Please ensure that your contact details provided in the submission form are accurate and actively monitored to avoid missing important announcements.
Consent and Nomination Terms
By submitting my Short Film to Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF),
I, the undersigned Applicant, hereby agree to the following terms and conditions:
Ownership and Rights
The applicant must be the legal copyright holder or authorized representative of the submitted short film.
You affirm that you possess all necessary rights, licenses, and permissions for the film’s content, including visuals, music, dialogues, script, and third-party materials.
Any submission that violates intellectual property laws will be disqualified. DPIFF is not responsible for unauthorized use of protected content.
Fair Usage Rights
By submitting your project, you grant DPIFF the non-exclusive, royalty-free right to showcase your film, if selected, at official screenings, jury evaluations, and DPIFF-affiliated cultural programs.
This includes digital or physical exhibitions solely for festival purposes and will not impact your rights to distribute or monetize your film elsewhere.
Promotional Activities
You authorize DPIFF to use film stills, trailers, posters, screenshots, credits and excerpts for promotional purposes.
This may include social media features, press releases, email newsletters, blog articles and inclusion in DPIFF’s marketing campaigns.
These promotional activities aim to increase filmmaker visibility, audience engagement, and global outreach and will always include appropriate credit to the creator.
Warranties and Representations
You represent and warrant that your film:
Is original and free from legal claims or disputes
Does not infringe on copyrights, trademarks, or moral rights
Does not contain defamatory, obscene, or unlawful content
You also confirm that all performers, crew, and third parties involved have given written consent for participation and public screening.
Indemnification
By submitting to DPIFF, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless DPIFF, its affiliates, jury members, partners, and sponsors against any legal claims, losses, or liabilities arising from your submission.
This includes disputes related to copyright, content ownership, third-party involvement, and any unauthorized usage of protected material.
Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of India, and any disputes shall fall under the jurisdiction of Mumbai, Maharashtra.
All legal matters will be handled according to Indian law and the official operating guidelines of DPIFF.
Acknowledgment and Agreement
By signing or submitting this form, I hereby acknowledge that I have read, understood, and fully agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Consent and Nomination Terms of the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival.
I confirm that all information provided is accurate, and I accept full responsibility for the content and rights associated with my submission.