Chambal International Film Festival Season 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were grand success.
In Season 1, 316 films from 28 Countries were submitted and 160 films were selected for screening. India’s official entry to Academy awards ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ (2009) was also screened under special focus in Season 1.

In Season 2, 492 films from 35 Countries were submitted and 243 films were selected for screening. India’s official entry to Academy awards ‘Court’ (2015) was also screened under special focus in Season 2.

In Season 3, 604 films from 40 Countries were submitted and 398 films were selected for screening. India’s official entry to Academy awards ‘Shwaas’ (2004) was also screened under special focus in Season 3.

In Season 4, 701 films from 54 Countries were submitted and 464 films were selected for screening.

In Season 5, 809 films from 63 Countries were submitted and 494 films were selected for screening.

In Season 6, 903 films from 71 Countries were submitted and more than 300 films were selected for screening.

In Season 7, 1007 films from 82 Countries were submitted and more than 250 films were selected for screening. Loksabha Speaker Hon'ble Mr. Om Birla Sir inaugurated the opening ceremony.

In Season 8, 1104 films from 93 Countries were submitted and more than 250 films were selected for screening. The inaugural ceremony of the 3 day event took place on the beautiful Chambal River Front, Kota.

In Season 9, 1205 films and projects from 101 Countries were submitted and more than 250 films were selected for screening. Renowned actress Hon'ble Seema Biswas Ma'am was the chief guest during award ceremony.

FESTIVAL VIDEO 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDpMKaVnPH0
FESTIVAL VIDEO 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUPFuftZLa8

The highlights are:
1. Free Hospitality to all the film makers including stay at hotel, meals and conveyance (hotel to venue).
2. Awards in 75 categories.
3. Jury members are from INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY.
4. Excellent media coverage.
5. Great Exposure (5000 plus audience)
6. Support for releasing films on leading OTT platforms.
7. World’s one of the most loved and best reviewed film festivals.
8. Workshops, Networking and Seminars.
9. Certificate Of Official Selection to all the Nominated Films.
10. Certificate Of Participation to all the participants.
11. The films were screened on multiple screens

Chambal International Film Festival, India is a platform where film makers will get an opportunity to showcase their talent to film loving great audience. Also the audience will get a chance to watch some wonderful short films, documentary films, animation films and music videos of various film makers of the World. The Honorable Jury members Mr. Sayeed Quadri (Renowned Lyricist), Mr. Kshitij Tarey (Famous Singer and Music Composer), Mr Subrat Dutta (Acclaimed Actor) and Mr. Ranjan Das (Eminent Editor and Writer) from Indian Film Industry are reputed names. Late Mr. Suresh Naik (Highly Experienced DOP and Special Effect Co- Ordinator) was also a part of the jury.

Categories:
Best Feature Film (Fiction)
Best Feature Film (Documentary)
Best Featurette Film (Fiction)
Best Featurette Film (Documentary)
Best Short Film (Fiction)
Best Short Film (Documentary)
Best Animation Film
Best Music Video
Best Ad Film
Best Feature Film Runner Up (Fiction)
Best Feature Film Runner Up (Documentary)
Best Featurette Film Runner Up (Fiction)
Best Featurette Film Runner Up (Documentary)
Best Short Film Runner Up
Best Short Film (Documentary) Runner Up
Best Animation Film Runner Up
Best Music Video Runner Up
Best Ad Film Runner Up
Best Director (Feature)
Best Director (Featurette)
Best Director (Short)
Best Director (Documentary Feature)
Best Director (Documentary Featurette)
Best Director (Documentary Short)
Best Director (Animation)
Best Director (Music Video)
Best Director (Ad Film)
Best Actor (Feature, Featurette, Short)
Best Actress (Feature, Featurette, Short)
Best Child Actor
Best Director Of Photography (Feature, Featurette, Short)
Best Editor(Feature, Featurette, Short)
Best Background Score
Best Production Design
Best Story (Feature, Featurette, Short, Animation)
Best Screenplay (Feature, Featurette, Short, Animation)
Best Narrative (Feature, Featurette, Short, Animation)
Best Sound (Feature, Featurette, Short)

Awards will be given in Professional and Students category separately.
Student Category Awards- Best Short Film, Best Animation Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Music Video, Best Director (In All Categories).

Mentioned in official website i.e www.ciff.co.in

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thank you so much for screening Cell Buddies at your festival! We are honored to be part of your program. It’s been an incredible year for this student film, traveling to over 40 countries . We’ve seen that audiences worldwide really connect with the story, and we hope your visitors enjoyed the screening as much as we enjoyed being part of your event. Thanks for supporting independent stop motion animation!

    April 2026
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for the response. Chambal International Film Festival team is so happy to receive your attention and appreciation. Your words are really inspiring and motivating. Hope to see another beautiful project from you in next season.
    Regards :)

  • One of the greatest Festival of India.. Which is supported by NFDC and Govt. of India. The hospitality, communication from the team and genuineness in election of movie is done in this festival. My film Guruji Namaskar from Odisha won here and I really liked to thanks the festival director and team for sending the trophy to my home and organising such fabulous events.

    March 2026
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your inspiring compliments. Chambal International Film Festival team is really overjoyed to hear from you. Our team is really blessed with your words. Hope to see your another awesome project again in next Season
    Regards :)

  • Luca Caserta

    Thank you so much for selecting and awarding my short film "The Reach" (based on a short story by Stephen King) with the Festival Special Mention! Nice experience.

    February 2026
    Response from festival:

    Chambal International Film Festival sincerely thank you for the kind words in appreciation. Your compliments have really encouraged our team to do even better in future. Hope to see your marvellous creation again in next Season.
    Regards :)

  • Chambal International Film Festival is a well-curated and meaningful platform for independent filmmakers. I am truly honored that my film Lost World 2020 received the Best Treatment (Feature) award at CIFF 2026.

    I sincerely appreciate the warm reception, smooth communication, and the respectful way the festival team engages with filmmakers.
    I am grateful to the organizing team and jury for the appreciation and encouragement, and I look forward to being associated with the festival again in the future.

    February 2026
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much. Your compliments have greatly elevated Chambal International Film Festival spirit. It is because of wonderful film makers like you that we are able to do such a grand festival. Hope to see your wonderful film again in next Season.
    Regards :)

  • What a pleasure being a part of this festival. Perpetual Love has been selected by over 50 festivals worldwide and winner of over 32 awards. However, this festival was special. Thank you, Danny L Lee

    February 2026
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your beautiful compliments ! It is because of wonderful film makers like you whose fantastic films make Chambal International Film Festival a great festival. Hope to see your one more excellent film again in next Season.
    Regards :)