🎥 WILL YOUR FILM MAKE THE CUT?

📍 Open to Tamil filmmakers around the globe

Categories
Best Tamil International Short Film ( < 40 mins)
Best Tamil North American Feature Film Producer ( 40 mins to 180 mins)
Best Tamil North American Short Film ( < 40 mins)
Best International Tamil Documentary (< 180mins)
Tamil Micro Short (Under 17) – North America (< 5mins)
Tamil Micro Short (Age 17–21) – North America (< 5 mins)
Tamil Films on Neurodiversity ( < 180 mins)
Best International Unreleased Feature Film (40 mins to 180 mins)

This is not about Polish.
It’s about purpose.
🎯 Make us feel something.

🎞️ MEMORY AS CINEMA. CINEMA AS MEMORY.

Before we made films,
we watched them on lazy Sunday afternoons—
grainy VHS tapes, parents translating,
songs we’d only understand years later.

FeIFF honors that shared history.

🕰️ RETROSPECTIVE: CLASSICAL TAMIL CINEMA
Not just nostalgia—
A celebration of the cinematic DNA that shaped us.

🌍 ABOUT FeTNA
Since 1987, FeTNA has grown from 5 Tamil Sangams
to a vibrant network of 70+ organizations across North America.

Through conferences, festivals, and culture,
FeTNA has kept Tamil identity alive across oceans and generations.

Now, through cinema, that legacy evolves.

FeIFF not only highlights short films, but also showcases feature films as part of its broader celebration of Tamil cinema.
🎬 Awards for Feature Films include:

1. Best Director
2. Best Producer

🎬 FEIFF IS FETNA’S CREATIVE FRONTIER
A new chapter. A new platform.
Because:
👉 WE’RE STILL HERE.
👉 OUR STORIES ARE JUST BEGINNING.

Awards & Prizes

The winner of Best Short Film and Best North American Producer of a Tamil Feature Film will be honored, along with something far more lasting: a platform to be remembered, not just seen.

This isn’t about production polish. It’s about purpose.

Rules & Terms

🎬 ELIGIBLE SUBMISSIONS MUST:
- Be produced after January 1, 2025
- Have a runtime between 2 to 40 minutes (Short Film)
- Have a runtime more than 40 minutes (Feature Film)
- Be associated with the Tamil language
- Director and/or Producer must be based in or affiliated with North America for North America category
- Be submitted by the early deadline of May 15, 2026, or the final deadline of June 5, 2026

The winner of Best Short Film and the Best North American Producer of a Tamil feature film will be honored along with something far more lasting: a platform to be remembered, not just seen.
This isn’t about production polish. It’s about purpose.

📜 GENERAL RULES
- We focus on the story and creative vision, not the production size or budget.
- Films must be completed on or after January 1, 2026. Short Films are between 2 to 40 minutes in length and Feature films are more than 40 minutes less than 180 minutes.
- Multiple entries from the same submitter are allowed. Each entry must be accompanied by a separate submission and fee.
- English subtitles are optional but not mandatory.
- Selections will be made by the FeTNA FeIFF programme committee . All decisions are final. Decisions of refusal will not be explained or discussed.
- Selected filmmakers will be notified via email or phone. Feedback will not be provided for non-selected entries.
- Selected films may be screened at FeTNA events beyond FeIFF, at the discretion of the organizers.
- Late submissions beyond the final deadline of June 5, 2026, will not be accepted.
- Use of copyrighted material without proper rights may result in disqualification. FeTNA or FeIFF holds no liability for copyright violations.
- Films must be original works. Submitters confirm they hold the legal authority to enter their work into the festival.
- No filmmaker will be discriminated against based on language, nationality, age, education, ideology, caste, or financial status.
- Films containing extremist, religious, or political propaganda are discouraged. Adult content should also be avoided.
- All entries must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Fees are non-refundable.
- All communication will be conducted through the original submitter’s email. Please ensure your contact info is valid and current.
- If a short film is selected, a member of the film's crew must be available to attend the festival in person at the FeTNA Convention. FeTNA FeIFF will not provide travel, hotel, visa, or immigration assistance.
- Nominees must purchase FeTNA Convention tickets to attend the event and represent their film.
- If a film is selected, upon request from FeTNA FeIFF, the film crew must be able to provide the film in the required video quality and format for screening purposes.