The Independent Days International Filmfestival (IDIF) is one of Europe's most important festivals for independent filmmakers and part of the European Festivals Association.

Proud owner of the EFFE label (Europe for festivals - festivals for Europe) by the EU.
IDIF is an IMDb Award-listing qualifying festival!

The Festival is screening films of every length and genre from all over the world.

Awards & Prizes

Film Award of the Cultural Foundation Sparkasse Karlsruhe, prize money 2,500 Euro
Film Award of The City of Karlsruhe, prize money 1,500 Euro and Award Trophy KARLINA
Best Short Shortfilm Award (shorts up to 5 minutes) 500 Euro and Award Trophy KARLINA
Indie Award for Best Feature Film 1,000 Euro and Award Trophy KARLINA
Newbie Award for Best First Time Movie 1,000 Euro and Award Trophy KARLINA
Female Award for Best Female Director 1,000 Euro and Award Trophy KARLINA
Film Award of Karlsruhe Press Club: 1,000 Euro
Best Independent Actor Award: 500 Euro and Award Trophy by Vollack Group
Best Independent Actress Award: 500 Euro and Award Trophy by Vollack Group
Best Film Composer Award: 500 Euro and Award Trophy KARLINA
UNESCO Creative City of Media Art - Film Award for the Best Experimental Shortfilm: Award Trophy KARLINA
Best Medium Length Film: Award Trophy KARLINA

Rules & Terms

Films should be produced within the years 2022 to 2026. Short films as well as feature films can be submitted. We also accept medi length films.

All contents and genres are acceptable (except for advertisements, image films) as long as they do not imply any illegal exposures according to German StGB law (e.g. pornography, excessive violence or sedition etc.).

Low Budget production costs have to be below 2,500 Euro per minute run-time, feature films (60 minutes and longer) shall not have more than approx. 250,000 Euro total costs and short films up to 30 minutes not more than approx. 50,000 Euro. No Budget production costs have to be below 100 Euro per minute run-time, feature films (60 minutes and longer) shall not have more than approx. 10,000 Euro total costs and short films up to 30 minutes not more than approx. 2,500 Euro. Besides the actual production costs, other indications like production facilities or infrastructure (company or film academy) are considered as well for classification.

Screening copies (e. g. USB-Storage, harddisk), which you have sent to the festival will be delivered back to your official adress (or to the next festival) with a postal service of our choice. Please note that cannot influence the speed of delivery.

Films that have been formally submitted to us and selected by our program committee can not be withdrawn.
79 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Melle Windig

    Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our short stop motion film Cell Buddies with your audience! Unfortunately we could not attend but the communication with the festival was excellent.

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Fatemeh Zare

    I'm so grateful that my short animation Human Layers was selected and screened. Although I couldn’t attend in person, I really appreciated the clear and professional communication throughout. Thank you to the team for supporting independent filmmakers and creating such a meaningful platform.

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Belicosa Divulgación

    We are truly grateful for all the festival's support, and for selecting "The Fish Tank, we couldn't attend the festival, but the communication and promotion of the short film prior to and during the festival was great. Thank you so much!

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Dusty Saunders

    Independent Days is a wonderful fest at an absolutely legendary theatre. Long Live this Festival!

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Kaho Sugisaki

    I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in such a major film festival—it was truly a valuable experience.
    Through social media, the official website, and updates from the festival, I was able to closely follow the vibrant atmosphere and events throughout.
    I would love to take part again in the future. Thank you very much!

    April 2026
    Helpful