Hello there,

Experts in India are predicting a third wave of coronavirus (Covid-19) disease hitting the country sometime in September and October. So there's no scope for organising a film festival at any physical venue here.

We kept postponing acceptance of any films for this year, thinking the pandemic would subside and we could host a normal festival. But now we have decided to host the festival online yet again.

As usual we will hold the Free Spirit Film Festival in the last week of October. So submissions are open now for a second online edition of the festival. Please make sure to provide all the information as required in the application for better chance of getting selected.

With the festival going online, this smallest of film festivals will have a global outreach. We will announce the platform we will be using to host the festival when we have made a final decision.

Looking forward to receiving some amazing films like we usually do, and to present an exciting festival yet again.

Please follow coronavirus-appropriate behaviours, maintain physical distance, wear mask, wash your hands often, to be safe yourself and others.

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 after 30 June 2020 are accepted.
2. Non-English language films must have subtitles in English.
3. Please no request for entry fee waiver or reduction requests.
4. Once an entry payment has been made, no refund request will be accepted.
5. Films must be available for screening at the festival from 25 to 31 October 2021.
6. Winners chosen by the judges will be final and binding.
7. FSFF has no obligation to disclose judges, selection process, and other information related to the Festival that are not already made public.
16 Reviews
Overall Rating
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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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  • Emilie Peltier

    We were really proud to have our film 54 NORTH screened at Free Spirit Film Festival. Lobstang was the best and we'll submit again for sure!

    November 2019
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  • Charlie Eads

    We loved that Free Spirit Film Festival chose our film. Lobsang Wangyal was very professional. Communication was easy with him. My only regret is, I wish I could have gone to the festival. I would submit another film again. Thanks Free Spirit Film Festival.

    November 2018
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