Welcome to the Ceylon International Film Festival in Santa Barbara, California (CEYIFF), now entering its 4th year!

CEYIFF celebrates the vibrant world of South Asian cinema while embracing the creativity of independent filmmakers from around the globe. Our festival is dedicated to the art of storytelling, bringing meaningful films to our communities and connecting filmmakers with diverse audiences.

Ceylon International Film Festival (CEYIFF) is the first-ever Sri Lankan Film Festival Organized outside of Sri Lanka. CEYIFF is dedicated to presenting South Asian and International Independent films to cinema lovers.
We are committed to promoting new filmmakers' projects and showcasing their films to international audiences. Our mission is to screen independent films of all genres from all around the world.

Over the past three years, we have proudly screened close to 100 films, offering a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work. Each screening is followed by an engaging Q&A session, allowing for an in-depth discussion of the creative process and the impact of cinema.

Our esteemed jury is composed of industry professionals with vast knowledge and experience, ensuring that each film receives the thoughtful attention it deserves. At CEYIFF, we embrace cultural diversity, and our finale is a celebration of this, featuring performances that highlight South Asian cinema while collaborating with Western and Latin artists. This blend of film and melody culminates in an awards ceremony, followed by a gala to close the festival in style.

Join us in celebrating independent filmmaking and diverse stories that inspire and empower!

Awards & Prizes

Jury Awards

Feature Film Awards-

Best Picture -Fiction-Narrative
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Cinematographer
Best Editing
Best Music
Best Sound mixing

Best Short Film Awards

Best Short Fiction / Narrative
Best Animation
Best Documentary

Rules & Terms

***FEE WAIVERS NOT AVAILABLE***

***The submission fee is non-refundable.***

***WE DO NOT ACCEPT YOUTUBE LINKS***

• Shorts - Running time includes end credits must be between 10min – 15mins
• Features - Running time includes end credits must be more than 40min.
• Language - Open. English subtitles are required for all submissions.
• Online submission ONLY. We do not accept DVDs.
• The selected films will be notified on _TBA
• All the submissions must have been completed between 01/2021– 12/2024
• Proof or documentation of the production completion date must be submitted along with the film submission.
• The selected films must sign an agreement or a release form for screenings.

Submission Guidelines

• All submissions will be accepted only through FILMFREEWAY.COM. FilmFreeway accepts HD 1080p files for 10GB. Any file over 10GB must be uploaded to Vimeo but submitted on FilmFreeway along with the Vimeo link & the password. Note: This is for the selection process only.
• The Selected films must send a Screening copy, Poster & Press kit by -TBA

• We will not personally respond to any inquiries regarding the selection process or the results. The selections will be based on the originality & the production effort rather than subject matter, the artist's value, or the budget.

• Awards & Prices are to be notified and will be updated on ceyiff.com and FilmFreeway.

• Selected films for screenings & the competition must provide a screening copy on or before -TBA

• The picture must be exhibited using a 24-frame progressive scan Digital Cinema format with a minimum projector resolution of 2048 by 1080 pixels, source image format conforming to ST 428-1:2006 D-Cinema Distribution Master – Image Characteristics; image compression (if used) conforming to ISO/IEC 15444-1 (JPEG 2000); and image and sound files packaged as Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) in the “SMPTE DCP” format. SMPTE DCP refers to SMPTE ST 429-2 and related specifications. (Blu-ray format does not meet Digital Cinema requirements.)

• The required audio in the Digital Cinema Package (DCP) must be in 5.1 discrete audio channels. The minimum for a non-mono configuration of the audio shall be three channels Left, Center, and Right (a Left/Right configuration is not acceptable in a theatrical environment).

• All the selected short films must be submitted only in Blu-Ray formatted files.

****All fees are non-refundable.
29 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Amudhavanan P

    This amazing festival is a wonderful opportunity for independent filmmakers to display their creativity.

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Jorge Morais

    This year, I had the honor of participating in the 3rd Ceylon International Film Festival with my animated short film "In Half," and I must say the experience was exceptional. From the moment I received the confirmation of my selection, the organization stood out for its professionalism and attention to detail.
    Communication was clear and effective at all times. I received timely information about schedules, screenings, and events, which helped me visualize the occasion. It’s reassuring to know that behind such a large festival, there is a team that genuinely cares about filmmakers and their work, resulting in a smooth and enjoyable experience.
    One of the most impressive aspects was the media coverage. The exposure the festival received was remarkable, allowing creators like myself to truly feel seen and valued. Witnessing our work represented in such a broad context with extensive media coverage was extremely gratifying. This kind of visibility is crucial for all independent filmmakers, and the Ceylon International Film Festival executed it outstandingly.
    Unfortunately, I was unable to attend in person, and I truly regret that! I missed out on an event that, according to media reports, was filled with inspiring moments and valuable connections. I wholeheartedly recommend this festival to any filmmaker or film enthusiast looking for a platform that appreciates creativity and cinematic art.

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Majid Farzolahi

    Thank you to the organizers of the festival for showing the films and choosing my film as an honorable mention

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Axel Hutama

    Bad communication. However thank you for the honorable mention for 'Heritage'

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • FAR WEST NILL STUDIOS CHRISTIAN FILMS

    Wonderful Event. I loved the review that was given about my Writings/Work.

    November 2023
    Helpful