Hello there,

Coronavirus and the Covid-19 disease changed the world in so many different ways. For the last two years — 2020 and 2021 — we had our festival online, which was a new experience for us. It all went well, and instead of a small audience at one venue, we had the audience around the world! That was one big benefit, but we missed having people together, and talk about the films and make new friends.

Due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, we are still unsure of holding the 18th edition of the Free Spirit Film Festival (2022) at certain venue like in the past. If gathering still remains as an issue, we will host it online again.

If the pandemic situation changes, and we could hold the festival at certain venue, we will announce when and where once we have those finalised. Submissions will be opened in June.

Be safe!

Sincerely yours,

Lobsang Wangyal
Festival Director

Awards & Prizes

There are 13 awards presented in the festival. A grand jury will decide the winners from the pool of films which are part of the festival. The Audience Award will be decided by festival-goers' ballots. Each winner will receive a certificate.

Awards are presented in the following categories:

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Documentary
Best Short Film
Best Editing
Best Music
Best Art Direction
Best Original Concept
Audience Award
Special Mention
Special Jury Prize

Rules & Terms

1. Films made in the last one year after 30 June 2021 are accepted.
2. Only one film per director will be accepted.
3. Once a film has been selected it cannot be withdrawn from the Festival.
4. Non-English language films must have subtitles in English.
5. Request for entry fee waiver or reduction will not be accepted.
6. Once an entry fees has has been made, refund request will not be accepted.
7. Films must be available for screening right after the selection has been announced.
8. Winners chosen by the judges will be final and binding.
9. FSFF has no obligation to disclose judges, selection process, and other information related to the Festival that are not already made public.
18 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Bertrand Lemeunier

    Thank you Lobsang and Free Spirit Film Festival for selecting our documentary Growing on Two Wheels. It has been a real pleasure to work with you and a nice surprise to receive the special mention award. All the best for your nice festival in India !

    November 2021
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  • Cheyla Clawson Chandler

    It was wonderful to be part of this festival! The communication was great and I enjoyed the diverse films that were selected. I hope to be a part of it again in the future.

    November 2021
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  • Alexey Tabakin

    Many Thanks to Labsang! For the whole team of our "7/9" movie and for me personally, the choice is a great honour. Wish the whole FSFF team best of luck and perfect films!!!

    November 2020
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  • Juhi Verma

    First of all thank you os much free spirit film festival for selecting my movie to be screened in your event and later to give the special mention award. I am really overwhelmed.
    About the Event..... it was great !!
    There is a propoer comminucation between organizers and filmmakers and they gave me ample time to submit all the required pictures and poster of my project.
    And I really appriciate their immidiate response of my emails , They are very understanding and softspoken people.
    Definitely, I am going to participate again.

    November 2019
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  • Christopher McDonell

    This might be the "smallest film festival in the world" but it's run by people with big hearts who strive to make it the best that they can, year after year. Hats off to Lobsang, the festival director, for his tireless efforts, and for being easy to communicate with. I wasn't able to attend (I live in Canada) but my Indian composer made the long trek north and was there to represent us. He was introduced to applause, given an opportunity to speak to the audience, and humbly accepted 4 awards on our behalf - including Best Picture and Best Music. The local press published an article, so what more could we ask for. All in all just a wonderful experience!

    QUEEN OF THE BEACH | Christopher McDonell (Cleetche)

    November 2019
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