Mission Statement

The Indianapolis Independent Film Festival warmly welcomes you to join our global community celebration of peace, love, and the art of filmmaking. We are a collaboration of multi-talented writers, film score composers, filmmakers, producers, and musicians, united in our mission to entertain, inform, inspire, encourage, and educate. Our goal is to recognize and honour artists who use their creative work to increase awareness, provide diverse perspectives, tackle complex social issues, and promote international connections. As an inspiring and intimate platform, the we offer writers, directors, and producers the opportunity to create new projects, develop tools for success, and establish new connections within the global film and entertainment industry.

Best Us Short
Best Us Feature
Best Script
Best Indie Film
Best Drama
Best Documentary
Best Comedy
Best Action
Best Mystery
Best Thriller
Best Horror
Best Sci-Fi
Best Fantasy
Best Animation
Best Childen
Best Women Film
Best Mockumentary/Docucomedy
Best Experimental Film
Best Web Series/TV Pilot
Best Web and New Media
Best Mobile Film
Best Microfilm
Best Music Video
Best Producer
Best Director (Female)
Best Director (Male)
Best First Time Director (Female)
Best First Time Director (Male)
Best Student Director (Female)
Best Student Director (Male)
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Sound Design
Best Sound Editing
Best Original Score
Best Original Song
Best Original Screenplay
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Costume Design
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Best Production Design
Best Trailer/Teaser

Terms and Conditions

If you are submitting a film for the Indianapolis Independent Film Festival, please refrain from asking for discounts or fee waiver codes via email or social media, as they will not be provided.

Upon receiving a submission confirmation email from FilmFreeway, your submission has been received, and you need not follow up with the festival or inquire about its progress.

If you have selected the "student entry fees" option and your film is selected, you will need to provide evidence that you and the key members of the production, such as the writer, director, and producer, were enrolled as students when the film was produced. Failure to provide proof will result in disqualification without a refund.

You may submit your film to multiple categories.

To qualify for Us Film categories, the submitted film must have been largely produced in Turkey with a cast and crew predominantly from that country.

By submitting your work, you agree to join our newsletter, which you can unsubscribe from any time. Your information will not be shared or sold to third parties.

We encourage filmmakers to provide subtitles for their work to promote inclusivity. All films not in the English or Turkish language must have subtitles.

Short Screenplay submissions must not exceed 25 pages, and submissions will be accepted only via FilmFreeway. Entry fees are non-refundable, and all judging and jury decisions are final.

The festival reserves the right to enter films into alternate or multiple categories and disqualify submissions that do not adhere to the above terms.

Finally, all rights, clearances, and permissions must be obtained before submitting the film. The festival assumes no responsibility for violating copyright law.

If the opportunity to screen a submitted short film arises, the festival will contact the submitter directly. Thank you for your interest in the Istanbul Movie Awards, and we are excited to watch your films.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Joshua Meszaros

    The Indianapolis International Film Festival is a wonderfully organized event that provides an important platform for independent filmmakers. We are truly grateful for awarding our short silent film "THE YOUTUBER" the title of Best Mobile Film. This recognition means a great deal to us, and we are very proud to receive your award. We also look forward to the possibility of a future screening.

    May 2026
  • Daniel Allen

    Indianapolis Independent Film Festival provided a positive and encouraging experience from start to finish. Communication was clear and professional and I truly appreciated the thoughtful way they handled updates throughout the process. I was honored to have my screenplay When Lightning Struck selected as a Semi-Finalist, and I'd gladly submit future work to them again.

    May 2026
  • This was most excellent and an honour to be recognised by this festival.

    February 2026
  • I’m honored that my film achieved Semi-Finalist status in the January issue of the Indianapolis Independent Film Festival. Thank you for this meaningful opportunity.

    February 2026
  • Siska Lappi-Takala

    Great to be a semifinalist with my short film GOOD, BAD AND UGLY.

    February 2026