Film Categories and Eligibility Criteria
1. Categories of Films:
For the purposes of submission and programming, films are categorized into two broad pathways – Feature Films and Non-Feature Films:
• Feature Films: Narrative or documentary films with a running time of 70 minutes or longer (including credits). This category includes theatrical fiction features, animated feature-length films, feature-hybrid films, and feature-length documentaries.
• Non-Feature Films: Films with a shorter duration, under 70 minutes. This includes short fiction films, short or mid-length documentaries, and animated shorts.
Entries will be accepted for consideration in International and Indian categories from the above groups.
2. Completion Date:
Films submitted for IFFD 2026 must have been completed between December 25, 2024 and January 15, 2026 to be eligible. This ensures the festival showcases recent productions. The applicant (entrant) must certify the film’s completion date in the entry form. In case a Completion Date is not available or independently verifiable, the first public-viewing of the film will be considered as the Completion Date: this includes theatrical, festival or digital premieres and releases.
3. Region of Origin:
IFFD 2026 accepts submissions from around the world and India.
In case of entries from India, the following additional parameters will apply:
Nationality
o The director/primary filmmaker must be a resident national of India.
o Indian Filmmakers residing outside India are eligible, provided they hold a valid passport of their nationality.
Co-Productions
Indian Co-productions are eligible if either:
o the director/primary filmmaker is a resident national of India, or
o the majority producing partner (financial and/or creative) is from India.
Co-productions that involve India but do not fulfill the above requirements, must be submitted into the International category.
Diaspora Filmmakers
Filmmakers of Indian origin who do not currently hold citizenship may be considered on a case-by-case basis, at the Festival’s discretion.
Eligibility will depend on the film’s substantive creative, cultural, or narrative engagement with India. The assessment of such engagement will be made by the Film Programming Team.
The Festival reserves the right to determine final regional classification of all submissions.
3. Premiere Status & Prior Screenings:
IFFD 2026 is primarily a non-competitive showcase and does not enforce strict premiere requirements.
However, preference may be given to films that have not been widely screened in Delhi and have had limited prior exposure in India overall.
In particular, priority may be given to films that:
o have not had a theatrical release, television broadcast, or streaming release in India, and
o have not screened widely at other Indian film festivals prior to IFFD 2026.
This preference is intended to ensure a fresh and diverse selection for local audiences.
Exceptions may be made for invited films in curated segments, including but not limited to retrospective titles, archival works, award-winning world cinema, or films selected for special sections, at the Festival’s discretion.
4. Works Not Considered:
The following types of works are not eligible for consideration in any section of IFFD 2026:
o Commercials and Corporate/Industrial Films: Advertisements, corporate promotional films, infomercials, or classroom-oriented educational films are not accepted.
o Trailers, Promos, and Incomplete Works: Standalone trailers, teasers, promo reels, or proof-of-concept materials will not be considered. Films must be submitted in their completed form. Rough cuts and works-in-progress are generally not eligible.
o Content Incompatible with Festival Guidelines: The Festival reserves the right to decline any film that, in its opinion, may violate applicable laws, or conflict with the Festival's stated objectives. Films that promote discrimination, hate speech, or violate commonly accepted standards of decency will not be considered.
All Indian films must comply with applicable laws of India, and must not contain content that would be deemed illegal or obscene under Indian law.
5. Language and Subtitles:
Films may be in any language. However, all films (feature and non-feature) must be presented with English subtitles if the original language is not English. English subtitles are encouraged for accessibility even if the film’s spoken language is English. Non-English films without English subtitles will not be considered for selection or screening.
Submission Guidelines
Filmmakers and producers seeking to have their films included in IFFD 2026 must adhere to the following submission requirements:
• Submission Deadline: All submissions must be completed by February 21, 2026. Submissions after this deadline will not be accepted or considered. Entrants are advised to submit well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues.
• Submission Procedure: Submissions are to be made through the official IFFD 2026 submission page on FILMFREEWAY. Entrants must fill in all required details about the film and the filmmakers and provide a secure screening copy for the consideration. Detailed instructions for submission will be provided on the website.
• Preview Screener Format: The film must be provided for preview in a high-quality digital format. It is preferred that entrants submit a secure online screener link (such as a password-protected streaming link or private online video) or a downloadable file in common formats (MP4, MOV, etc., in H.264 or similar). Physical DVDs/Blu-rays are not accepted for preview – please do not send DVD screeners, as they will not be considered. The festival will not consider any film sent in hardcopy format unless explicitly requested.
• Watermarks or Time-codes: The preview screener should be clean, without any invasive burnt-in watermarks, logos, or timecode counters obstructing the viewing. The film’s title and credits should be properly displayed within the content, but any promotional watermarks indicating “Preview” or similar should not impact the viewing experience.
• Complete Film: Submissions must include the complete film. Excerpts, trailers, or promo reels will not suffice for selection purposes. (However, providing a separate trailer is recommended for promotional use, in addition to the full film screener.)
• Subtitled Copy: The screener should contain English subtitles (burned-in or soft subtitles track) if the original language is not English, as noted in the eligibility criteria above.
• Entry Form and Materials: Along with the screener, entrants are required to submit the requested materials through the entry form on FILMFREEWAY.
• Screening History: (if applicable) A list of any festivals where the film has been shown or awards won, and whether it has had any commercial release or online release yet.
• Submission Fee: No submission fee is charged for IFFD 2026 entries. The festival is organized by a government body as a cultural event, and hence invites films for consideration free of charge (no entry fees). Filmmakers are likewise not offered any screening/rental fee for showcasing their film; participation is voluntary and aimed at exposure and cultural exchange.
• Confirmation of Submission: Once an entry is submitted via the online system, the entrant should receive a confirmation email. If confirmation is not received within a reasonable time, it is the entrant’s responsibility to contact the festival office to ensure the submission was received. All submitted materials (screeners and documents) will become part of the festival archive and will not be returned, regardless of selection status.
• Accuracy of Information: The entrant must ensure that all information provided in the entry form is accurate and truthful. The festival is not responsible for any issues arising from misinformation or omissions in the submission. Eligibility (such as completion date) will be determined based on the entrant’s declarations in the form. Misrepresentation may lead to disqualification.
• Copyright and Clearances: It is the sole responsibility of the person submitting the film to ensure that no material (visuals, audio, music, etc.) in the film is subject to unresolved copyright or legal dispute. By submitting, entrants confirm that they have the necessary rights or licenses for all content in the film. The festival will not be liable for any copyright infringement issues; any film found to infringe rights may be disqualified even if initially selected.
Selection Process
• Preview & Selection: All submitted films are evaluated for eligibility, category and qualitative fit by the Film Programming Team. The Preview Committee – appointed by the IFFD 2026 Festival Directorate from experienced professionals, filmmakers, critics, and/or curators – will review all shortlisted entries and recommend a longlist of films for inclusion in the festival program. Every submitted film is given due consideration; however, due to volume and limited screening slots, submission does not guarantee selection.
• Programming & Final Selection: Final selections of films to be screened at IFFD 2026 are made by the Film Programming team under the guidance of the Festival Director. The Team will consider the Preview Committee’s recommendations and also directly curate additional films (especially for the curated sections). Final selection rests with the Film Programming Team and Festival Directorate. All decisions on selected films are final and binding.
• Notification of Selection: Filmmakers whose films are selected will be notified via official email (using the contact information provided in the submission form). The festival aims to send selection notifications by March 1, 2026. Along with the notification, selected entrants will receive an official Festival Invitation and instructions for next steps (such as sending the DCP, additional materials, etc.). The list of selected films may also be published on the official festival website and press releases around that time.
• Required Deliverables Upon Selection: Once a film is selected, the entrant will be asked to promptly submit additional deliverables for festival screening and publicity, including:
o Final screening copy (see “Format and Technical Requirements” below for specifications).
o Dialog list or subtitle file (in English, for confirmation of accurate subtitles).
o Press kit if available (including director’s statement, production stills, trailer, posters, etc. for marketing).
o Screening permission letters or censor exemption documentation if applicable (the festival will guide on this – see “Screening Guidelines” below).
• Non-Selected Films: Films that are not selected will be informed via FILMFREEWAY after the selection process concludes (early March 2026). The festival cannot provide individual feedback in such cases. Submission alone does not guarantee selection or screening, and the festival’s decision will be final. The IFFD organizers appreciate all submissions and the effort put into them, and while not all can be accommodated in the program, non-selected entrants are encouraged to participate in the festival as delegates or attendees.
• No Withdrawal Policy: Once a film has been officially selected and the rightsholder has confirmed participation in writing, the film may not be withdrawn from the festival. The filmmaker/producer is expected to comply with the inclusion of the film in the IFFD 2026 programming. In case a selected film is withdrawn by the entrant without valid or substantial reason as determined by the Festival Directorate, the festival reserves the right to bar that film or the filmmaker from future editions.
• Programming Discretion: The festival reserves the right to program a selected film in any appropriate section. For example, a documentary submitted in the Feature category might be placed in a thematic documentary showcase, or a short animated film might screen in an Animation sidebar. The goal will be to best present the film to the IFFD audience.
Format and Technical Requirements (For Selected Films)
All films selected for IFFD 2026 must adhere to the festival’s technical presentation standards to ensure high-quality screenings:
• Exhibition Format: The required exhibition format for all films is DCP (Digital Cinema Package), which is the standard for cinematic projection.
• DCPs should ideally be DCI-compliant (JPEG2000 format) in 2K or 4K resolution, with appropriate frame rates (24/25/30 fps, etc.) and audio in 5.1 or 2.0 format.
• If a film is only available on 35mm print, the festival must be informed immediately upon selection; acceptance of 35mm or other formats (like Blu-ray) is not guaranteed and will be at the festival’s discretion. The general rule is that no film will be screened from DVD, Blu-ray or any format other than DCP in the festival theatres.
• The DCP may be encrypted for security, but if so, KDM keys valid for the entire festival period (and at least one week prior for testing) must be provided by the entrant. It is recommended to supply unencrypted DCPs if possible to avoid any technical issues with KDM delivery.
• Subtitle Requirements: As noted, all films must screen with English subtitles. The DCP should ideally contain English subtitles embedded. If subtitles are not burned in, a synchronized XML/PNG sequence or SMPTE-compatible subtitle track should be included in the DCP. English-language films should ideally also have English subtitles for the benefit of hearing-impaired viewers or those from non-native English backgrounds. The entrant must provide an accurate subtitle file or dialogue list to the festival for reference. The festival will not create or translate subtitles for films; it is the filmmaker’s responsibility to provide them. Non-English films without English subtitles will not be screened.
• Screening Copy Delivery: Selected films’ DCPs must be delivered to the festival by the specified deadline (which will be communicated upon selection). Tentatively, all screening DCPs should reach the festival by March 10, 2026.
• Digital Delivery: The festival prefers online transfer of DCP files (through a secure file transfer link or server upload), especially for international entries. Clear instructions for uploading or shipping will be provided.
• Physical Delivery (if necessary): If sending a physical DCP (on a hard drive or USB 3.0 device), it should be labelled with film title and contact and sent freight pre-paid (shipping costs borne by the sender) to the festival office address that will be provided in the selection email. The festival will have an official freight handler and can assist with customs clearance for international shipments, provided instructions are followed. Detailed shipping instructions (address, consignee name, pro-forma invoice requirements stating "No commercial value, for cultural use only", etc.) will be given to the selected entrants. The festival will not be responsible for any customs issues or delays caused by not adhering to provided shipping instructions.
• Technical Standards: All screening materials must meet professional exhibition standards. DCPs should be tested thoroughly by the entrant before sending. The festival technical team will test each DCP upon receipt and inform the sender if any issues are found. If a DCP does not meet standard SMPTE or DCI specs or has playback issues, the festival may request a replacement. If a suitable screening copy is not provided in time, the film’s screening may be canceled. The festival reserves the right to refuse screening of any film that fails to meet technical requirements for cinema projection.
• Backup Copies: It is recommended (though not mandatory) that entrants provide a backup screening copy (like a high-bitrate MP4 file or an extra DCP drive) as a precaution. This can be brought by the filmmaker in person or made available for download. This backup will only be used if the primary DCP fails.
• Return of Screening Materials: The festival will normally retain the DCP hard drives until the end of the festival. After the conclusion of IFFD 2026, physical drives will be returned to the senders. IFFD will cover the one-way return freight for physical screening copies (returning from New Delhi back to the sender). The festival does not pay import duties or customs fees – the sender must ensure the drive is sent with zero customs value and correct documentation. If the same drive is to be forwarded to another festival, the festival can also facilitate that if informed in advance. For DCPs received via online transfer, the files will be deleted from festival servers post-event (unless archival permission is granted by the rightsholder). Unselected film screeners or unsolicited materials will not be returned and may be destroyed.
Screening Guidelines at the Festival
• Certification and Censorship: All films exhibited in India are subject to the rules of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. IFFD, as an international film festival, can screen films that are not certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) only under a special exemption (as per Section 9 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952). The festival organizers will undertake the necessary formalities to obtain exemption for any uncertified foreign or Indian films, strictly for the purpose of festival screenings. If a film already has a CBFC certificate, the certificate (or a copy) must be provided to the festival before screening. If a film is in the process of certification, the process should be completed and proof submitted prior to the festival. It is mandatory that every film screened either has CBFC certification or an official exemption for the festival. The entrant will be asked to sign a consent allowing the festival to seek this exemption on their behalf. No film that is refused exemption or certification will be screened.
• Number of Screenings: A selected film will typically be screened up to three (3) times during the festival for the public (depending on scheduling and demand). In addition, there may be one press or accreditation screening. In any case, the festival will not exceed five screenings in total per film (in line with international festival norms) without the rightsholder’s permission. The exact number of screenings for each film will be decided by the programming team. The schedule (date, time, venue of screenings) will be communicated in advance. The festival reserves the right to make last-minute changes to the schedule in case of unforeseen circumstances, but will endeavor to inform the filmmakers of any such changes.
• Screening Fees: IFFD 2026 does not pay rental or screening fees for films selected through the submission process. The festival is non-competitive and government-supported through non-commercial operations; hence, no screening fees are provided to entrants. By submitting, filmmakers agree that their film, if selected, will be screened at the festival without any charge or remuneration. For specially invited films outside of general submissions, appropriate screening fees will apply upon discussion.
• Usage of Excerpts & Publicity: By entering the festival, the applicant grants IFFD the rights to use press materials and excerpts from the film for promotional purposes. The festival may request or create a short excerpt (up to 2-3 minutes) of the selected films to be broadcast on television, shown to the press, or used on social media for festival publicity. These excerpts will be used strictly for non-commercial promotion of the festival screenings. Additionally, the festival reserves the right to use still images or clips (provided by the entrant) in its catalog, program, website, and press releases. The entrant is responsible for providing material that can be used for this purpose and clearing any necessary rights for the same.
• Screening Rights: Once a film is confirmed for participation, The Delhi International Film Festival obtains the right to screen the film in the context of the festival (i.e., during the festival dates, at official venues, for festival audiences). This includes the possibility of screening in any of the festival’s venues in New Delhi. The film remains the intellectual property of the rightsholder at all times; IFFD's rights are limited to the festival exhibition and pre-festival promotion. The festival will not screen any film outside the festival framework or beyond the festival dates without the prior consent of the rights-holder. In some cases, IFFD may organize a “Festival Highlights” touring package or non-commercial academic screenings post-festival – but a fresh consent will be sought for any film included in such initiatives.
• Hospitality for Filmmakers: IFFD may extend invitations to the directors/representatives of the selected films. Hospitality (accommodation, local transport) may be provided for one director or representative per film, subject to availability of resources. Details of hospitality, accreditation badges, and festival access will be communicated to selected participants separately.
General Terms and Conditions
• Acceptance of Regulations: Submission of a film to IFFD 2026 implies unconditional acceptance of all the rules and regulations listed herein. The entrant agrees that they have read and understood these regulations and agree to abide by them in consideration of the film’s participation. Participation in the festival will be taken as acknowledgment of these terms by the filmmakers, producers, and representatives.
• Authority to Submit: By submitting a film, the entrant (person signing the entry form or submitting online) confirms that they are legally authorized to do so on behalf of the production. This means the entrant either holds the rights to the film or has obtained permission from the rights holder (producer/sales agent) to submit the film and, if selected, to have it screened at the festival. The entrant must have the authority to grant screening rights and promotional use rights as described above. Participants must ensure that no rights of any third party are infringed by their submission. If the film is a co-production, the entrant should have the consensus of all co-producing partners for the submission.
• Warranties: The entrant warrants that all information provided is true, the screener provided is an accurate representation of the final film, and that the film does not violate any law or rights. The entrant also warrants that they have obtained all necessary licenses for music, script, footage, etc., used in the film.
• Liability: The festival organizers (DTTDC, Govt. of NCT of Delhi and any partnering entities) will take utmost care in handling the entries and screening copies. However, the festival shall not be held liable for any loss or damage to the film materials (DVDs, drives, etc.) in transit or otherwise outside the festival’s control. The insurance of film materials in transit to and from the festival is the responsibility of the entrants. IFFD will insure the physical prints/DCPs for the duration that they are in the festival’s custody (against fire, theft, damage at venue, etc.), but not during shipment to/from the festival.
• Freight & Customs: As noted, the cost of sending screening materials to the festival (in New Delhi) is to be borne by the senders. The festival will cover the cost of returning the materials to the sender (or forwarding to another festival as agreed). The festival will not cover customs duties, taxes, or any other charges outside of basic freight. Non-Indian participants should ensure they follow shipping instructions to avoid import duties (typically by declaring “temporary import – for cultural purposes, no commercial value”). The festival will not be responsible for customs delays or charges.
• Festival Authority: The Festival Directorate (organizing committee of IFFD 2026) reserves the right to interpret, modify, or enforce these regulations as deemed fit. In cases of issues not foreseen or explicitly addressed in these regulations, or in any dispute regarding the interpretation of these rules, the decision of the Festival Directorate shall be final and binding. The festival management also reserves the right to address any matters not expressly provided for in these rules in accordance with the overall festival principles and FIAPF international festival guidelines.
• Amendments and Permissions: The festival reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the festival dates, venues, awards (if any), or other festival activities if circumstances dictate (e.g., force majeure situations or logistical issues). Any such changes will be communicated to participants in a timely manner. The Festival Directorate can also grant exceptions or waivers to certain rules on a case-by-case basis in exceptional circumstances (for example, accepting a slightly longer short film, or a film completed just before the cutoff date, etc.), and such decisions will be at its sole discretion.
• Legal Jurisdiction: This document is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. In the event of any dispute or legal claim arising from the participation in the festival or any rule herein, it shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Delhi, India.
By order of the Festival Directorate,
The International Film Festival Delhi 2026 (Delhi Tourism & Transport Development Corporation, Govt. of NCT Delhi)
(For any queries regarding the regulations or submissions, participants may contact the IFFD 2026 Festival Office via email:
Prateek Rawat
Head of Film Programming
Programming Team EMAIL: programming@iffdelhi.com
