Chennai International Short Film Festival (CISFF) is organized by film festival professionals with decades of experience in cinema and cultural events. The festival is presented under the aegis of the Chennai Academy of Motion Picture, a non-profit trust dedicated to promoting quality cinema among film enthusiasts in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu.

Short films have become a powerful platform for creative expression, experimentation, and innovation for both emerging and established filmmakers. With the accessibility of high-quality digital filmmaking tools, more storytellers than ever are turning to short films as the first step in their cinematic journey.

CISFF provides an international platform for filmmakers to showcase their work, connect with audiences, and gain industry recognition. The festival welcomes submissions from around the world across fiction, documentary, animation, and student categories.

Awards & Prizes

14th Chennai International Short Film Festival 2026

Festival Dates: 30 July – 2 August 2026

The official awards will be announced during the Closing and Awards Ceremony on 2 August 2026 at 6:00 PM.

2.1 Animation Awards
Best Short Animation Film – Trophy and Certificate
Second Place – Shield and Certificate

2.2 Documentary Awards
Best Short Documentary Film – Trophy and Certificate
Second Place – Shield and Certificate

2.3 Best Short Fiction Awards
Best Short Fiction Film – Trophy and Certificate
Second Place – Shield and Certificate

2.4 Best Student Film Awards
Best Student Film – Trophy and Certificate

13th edition winners

Best Short Fiction
Punal

Second Best Short Fiction
Por Paravaigal

Best Documentary
Irantha Kaalam

Jury Award
The Wall

Jury Special Mention
Breaking the Silence

Student Category
Best Student Film
The Bird That Forgot to Fly

Second Best Student Documentary
Wings of Hope

CISFF Special Mention
Ethirmarai
Kayamai

Rules & Terms

Regulations:

The Festival is meant for short films of maximum 30 minutes duration (Subtitles mandatory) and will have the following sections

i) World Competition for short fiction films (maximum 30 minutes) produced after 1st January 2024

ii) World Competition for Short documentary films (maximum 30 minutes) produced after 1st January 2024

iii) World Competition for short animation films (maximum 30 minutes) produced after 1st January 2024

iv) World Cinema films (Short / documentary / animation films of maximum 30minutes) produced after 1st January 2024

v) Competition for Indian Students Films: This section is exclusively for Indian Students only (from High School level to final year degree course) and films made under any category i.e. short fiction / short Documentary / short animation of maximum length of 30 Minutes are eligible for submission. The films should have been produced after 1st January 2024

vi) Country Focus (films from one or two countries & duration will be restricted to maximum 30 minutes each film)

vii) Special section (tributes / homage etc)

Entry Dead line and entry fees
S No Name of the category Entry detail Entry Fee Dead line
1 World short film competition Regular 30 US$
2 Students Competition Regular 10 US$
3 World short film non-competition Regular 10 US$
4 Notification date for all the categories

50 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Fabian Adams

    It was great being in 13th chennai International film festival. Thanks to the total for organising such a great event.

    March 2025
    Helpful
  • Seerkatchi Packil Pandian Bhaskaran

    It was an honor to have our film, 'Por Paraivaigal, ' awarded at the Chennai International Short Film Festival! This isn't just a festival and an event that highlights each film individually. The festival organisers kept filmmakers up-to-date with all the details of each day's events. Even the updates were presented so coolly.
    We couldn't wait for the next one. We appreciate the enormous work that would have gone into organising this fantastic festival!

    March 2025
    Helpful
  • Amirtha Jebamani

    It was great experience and liked very much. Thanks the team of chennai international shortfilm festival .

    March 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Jebamani . much appreciate your feedback and we look forward to seeing you at the 13th edition.

  • ASHOK SAMINATHAN

    Simply they are encouraging ammeture, student filmmakers. This is not right way to pursuing the film festival.

    March 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Mr Saminathan,
    we regret for not offering a good festival experience for you. kindly offer your suggestions and we will see how we can accommodate those. thank you,

  • Marcel Hobi

    I am proud that my short film is part of your festival.
    It's a shame that I couldn't take part in the festival.

    It is a special honor that Love Bubbles received the Best Animation Award. Thank you!

    March 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Marcel,

    Congratulations again on the win. we are in touch with the embassy to connect the trophy and certificates. As a small token of our appreciation. It was wonderful to enjoy the film in a cinematic canvas. thank you for writing to us .