⭐️⭐️⭐️Cash bonus⭐️⭐️⭐️
A cash reward of RMB 3,000 will be awarded directly to the winners.

⭐️⭐️⭐️RMB 10,000 Prize Award⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Annual Sound Award has officially been renamed the 33IFF × Saramonic Annual Sound Award.
The winner will receive prizes valued at RMB 10,000.

⭐️⭐️⭐️Handcrafted Genuine Leather Trophy⭐️⭐️⭐️
Each annual award winner receives a bespoke trophy (valued at RMB 2,000) exclusively crafted by leather artist Zhang Li.

⭐️⭐️⭐️IMDb qualifications⭐️⭐️⭐️
The 33 International Film Festival is honored to announce that it has officially become the ​strategic film submission partner of the ​Golden Panda Awards—an international film and television extravaganza co-founded by the ​China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the ​Sichuan Provincial People's Government! All shortlisted works from this year's festival will gain ​direct access to the Golden Panda Awards' global judging channel, propelling them into China's most internationally-oriented film and television honor hall of glory.

🎬 第二届 33IFF 年度获奖名单 / 2nd 33IFF Annual Awards

奖项 / Award — 获奖者或影片 / Winner — 国家/地区 / Country

🏆 年度最佳短片 / Best Short Film
《First Summer》 — 韩国 / South Korea
🎬 最佳导演 / Best Director
Gayoung Heo(《First Summer》)— 韩国 / South Korea
📖 最佳剧本 / Best Screenplay
《First Summer》 — 韩国 / South Korea
🎭 最佳表演 / Best Performance
Jin Heo(《First Summer》)— 韩国 / South Korea
🎨 最佳动画片 / Best Animation
《Hand》 — 中国 / China
导演 / Director:Jing Wang(汪婧)
📷 最佳摄影 / Best Cinematography
《Superbi》 — 意大利 / Italy
导演 / Director:Nikola Brunelli
✂️ 最佳剪辑 / Best Editing
《Miel》 — 法国 / France
导演 / Directors:Tom Chevé, Waël Haddar
🎵 最佳配乐 / Best Original Score
《Our Shadows Seemed Happy》 — 波兰 / Poland
导演 / Director:Antonina Rzyska
🔊 最佳音效 / Best Sound Design
Francesco Masetto(《The Choice》)— (国家待补 / Country TBC)
📌 年度最佳纪录片 / Best Documentary Feature
空缺 / Not Awarded(宁缺毋滥 / No title met the jury’s standard this year)

top jury members guarantee that each film will be watched at least four times

ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE REQUIRED TO UPLOAD AN ENGLISH SUBTITLE.

Every quarter, we award the best independent short films curated from around the world, against a high standard of merit and a very competitive acceptance rate. The award winners of 4 quarter editions qualify for the Annual Awards.

We welcome projects from all genres, fictional or non fictional, linear or nonlinear, including non-English speaking, low or no-budget productions, and works from traditionally underrepresented countries in global film industry.

Main judging criteria: innovative and/or competent filmmaking, passionate storytelling.

The jury members are all senior filmmakers, who have been shortlisted for A-category film festivals, top independent film festivals, and participated in Hollywood film production.

The preliminary jury is made up of filmmakers, distributors, and media executives , and we will ensure that each film is viewed by at least three preliminary judges and one final judge.

We have many private theaters in different cities to host screenings, including Beijing, the capital of China and Chengdu, the hometown of pandas. In addition to the cash prize, the winners will also receive prizes from sponsors such as SmallRig, Rode, Aputure, etc. The winners of the Best Documentary and Best Short Film will receive a trophy, a certificate and an exclusive interview.

Number three is one of the most important and mysterious elements in Eastern culture.

In ancient times, there were the "Three Emperors", in the court, there were the "Three Lords", and the "Three Elders" in the prefectures, counties, and villages; religions that have a profound influence on the world are no exception. There are "Three Pure Ones" in Taoist mythology, and Confucianism proposed the "Three Pure Ones" or "Three Cardinal Guidelines", while Buddhism has "Three Worlds". In the "Tao Te Ching" there is also: "Tao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things." Even in traditional Chinese medicine theory, there is the so-called "three yin and three yang". The ancients believed that Taiyang, Yangming, and Shaoyang in the human body are the three yangs; Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin are the three yin. The locations of these important meridians are directly related to people's health.

Sima Qian wrote in "Historical Records·Lüshu": "The number begins with one, ends with ten, and ends with three." The "Three Jewels" of Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Confucius had three fears: fear of destiny, fear of adults, and fear of the words of sages. It means: “A gentleman should have three points of reverence: reverence for the will of God, reverence for the virtuous monarch, and reverence for the teachings of the saints.

Zeng Guofan has Zeng Guofan’s Three Precepts. The first is to abstain from saying too much, the second is to abstain from anger, and the third is to abstain from having an angry and seeking heart.

We also believe that within 33 minutes, you can tell a very exciting story and make the audience more focused in a limited time. We believe that the more restricted the stage, the better the performance. So I hope that at the 33rd International Film Festival, you can create works that shock Eastern culture.

All Category:
Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Directing, Best Film Editing, Best Audience Choice Award.

Short Film:
Best Short Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Score.

Short Documentary:
Best Documentary.

1,500 CNY for the Best Short Film of the Year
1,500 CNY for the Best Documentary of the Year
1,000 CNY for the Best Audience Choice Award of the Year

The Best Short Film and the Best Documentary winners of the year will receive a leather trophy handmade by the famous leather goods artist Zhang Li for free.

Note:
Quarterly winners automatically join the annual selection.
Quarterly winners will be selected for the annual screening.

-- Failure to comply with guidelines, rules and regulations will result in disqualification.
-- Applicants must be 18 years of age or older (or submitted by a parent or guardian on behalf of a minor) to enter the Contest.
-- All submitted works must be the original work of the author.
-- Allow multiple authors.
-- 33 International Film Festival reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any submitted project or film.
-- Submissions do not guarantee promotion, recognition or screening at any event. - - Submission, entry and any fees are included in the judging process (from which a number of applicants are then selected to be honored and/or screened at the 33 International Film Festival event).
-- Submissions and press materials are non-returnable.
-- Please do not send originals.
-- DVDs, Blu-rays and promotional materials will not be returned.
-- 33 International Film Festival is not responsible for any loss or damage to submission materials, exhibition materials or press materials.
-- Please adhere to all deadlines and fees.
-- Filmmakers submitting films after the submission deadline will need to pay an additional fee to obtain an exemption code. Any original fees are considered non-refundable.

All cash rewards are pre-tax amounts. The actual amount received may be subject to post-tax adjustments depending on the specific laws and regulations of each country.

For any revised version of a previously submitted film or screenplay - a new submission fee must be paid and a new tracking number generated.

Festival programming and final festival submission decisions will be decided in August. - Festival winners will be contacted via email or phone 1-3 months prior to the festival. - Please provide current contact information and be reachable prior to the event. - Works selected for display must send a copy of the exhibition print for screening. - Showtimes, venues and cities subject to change (or postponement). - Festival dates may change before the festival begins. - The review decision is final.
-- If accepted, the submitter has two weeks to notify the festival if you do not wish to screen your accepted film. By participating and submitting to the festival, you grant the festival the right to publicly screen your film once at our festival. - By registering, you acknowledge that if the Festival is not notified within the specified period after notification of acceptance: the film may not be screened at the Festival. - By submitting your work to 33 International Film Festival, you acknowledge that you own the ownership and rights to screen your submitted film, and you grant the festival these rights to screen your film. - By registering, you agree to all of the following festival rules and terms and conditions:
By submitting, you also acknowledge that you have the right to allow 33 International Film Festival to use images and clips from your film or project on any 33 website and in any 33 press materials used to promote 33 Film Festivals and events for the next 48 months, but without Reproduction of film images and clips for any other commercial purpose.

By entering this contest, entrants agree to acknowledge the following: Submitters acknowledge and agree that their use of this website, participation in 33rd International Film Festival events, or participation in any 33rd International Film Festival event, competition, film festival or competition is at their own discretion and risk. 33 International Film Festival makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, correctness, completeness or usefulness of any content appearing on the website, and is not responsible for any errors or omissions in any content appearing on the website, nor is it responsible for any content appearing on the website. is responsible for the accuracy or quality of any content appearing on the Site or any other material published, unpublished or distributed by 33 International Film Festival or its affiliates. 33 International Film Festival is not responsible for any malfunction, delay or interruption of the website. This website is provided to you "as is" and 33 International Film Festival makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied.

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In any case arising out of or related to this website or this Agreement, you agree that 33 International Film Festival may automatically assign this Agreement to a third party at its sole discretion. Section titles are for reference only and in no way define, limit, explain or describe the scope or scope of the section. Our failure to act with respect to a breach by you or others does not waive our right to act with respect to subsequent or similar breaches. This Agreement, and any other terms and conditions governing the use of this Site, set forth the entire understanding and agreement between us concerning the subject matter hereof. The provisions of this Agreement and any ancillary terms and conditions will survive termination or expiration to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the parties.

All content included on the 33 International Film Festival (33) website, including but not limited to videos, clips, photographs, text, graphics, logos, icons, images and software (collectively, the "Content"), is the property of 33 International Film Festival FESTIVAL and protected by Chinese and/or international copyright laws. Any reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission, republication, display or performance of the content contained is strictly prohibited. If you use materials appearing on the Site that are contrary to the provisions of this Agreement, you may be subject to liability for infringement, misappropriation, or other causes of action to the fullest extent permitted by law. Unless otherwise stated, all names, graphics, designs, logos, page headers, button icons, scripts, trade marks, trade dress and service names contained in this website are trademarks of 33 International Film Festival and legal action will be taken for infringement.

Participants guarantee that they have the legal rights to submit films to the 33 International Film Festival. As a director/producer/submitter of a 33/FilmFreeway submission, entrant represents and warrants to 33 International Film Festival that the film or script and all portions thereof are original; that the submission does not infringe the rights of any person or entity, and that entrant owns or controls the film and all parts thereof, and has the sole right to submit the film to the 33 International Film Festival; film entrants submitted to the 33 International Film Festival will not be subject to any lawsuits or threats. Entrant acknowledges that no fiduciary or confidential relationship currently exists between the Festival and Entrant, and Entrant further acknowledges that no such relationship is created by these Guidelines, the submission of the Film, or the acceptance, review or retention of the Film by 33 International Film Festival.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sree Hari Varma Sagi

    Such an incredible festival! The Communication was great! Cannot wait to submit again! Thankyou So MUCH Team 33iff- One of the best Film Festivals out there!

    March 2026
  • It was a great honor for our short film "The Choice" to be part of the 33 International Film Festival and to receive the Best Sound Design award.
    We truly appreciate the support given to independent cinema and emerging filmmakers.
    Thank you to the entire festival team for this recognition.

    March 2026
  • 33 International Film Festival was a wonderful festival! We were blessed that our short film "Ugryumka" was included in the Official Selection! Thanks to the team and to the jury! Great communication and care for the films!

    March 2025
  • 掌中劇 新勝景

    Gratitude and Appreciation for 33IFF

    I am truly honored to have received the Best Short Film award at the 33 Independent Film Festival, along with a prize of 1,500 RMB. The process of receiving this award involved many back-and-forth steps, but I am deeply grateful for the festival’s patience, assistance, and meticulous attention to detail.

    This experience has allowed me to truly appreciate the festival’s dedication and passion for supporting independent creators. From the thoughtfully curated screenings to the panel of professional judges and the inspiring exchanges with fellow filmmakers, every moment has been invaluable.

    Thank you, 33IFF, for providing a platform where independent filmmakers can be seen and recognized. I look forward to participating again in the future and witnessing more remarkable works together!

    March 2025
  • 思凯 张

    Thank you to the organizing committee for awarding the Best Director of the Year to "Goodbye Tengger." Thanks to the legendary C2 transmission sponsored by MOMA. We will carry this encouragement and continue to contribute to the film industry.

    March 2025