:::With the successful completion of Five editions of International Film Festival of Shimla, We are happy & proud to announce 6th International Film Festival of Shimla "IFFS 2020" which will be held in the capital city of Himachal Pradesh in Historical GaietyTheatre, Shimla, India. The Festival will include Film Screenings and Competitions for Short, Feature, Documentary, Animation, Music Videos, Master Classes and Workshops on Film Making.

The first ever International Film Festival of Shimla for Documentary, Short, Feature and Animation Films, Music Videos was held in the year Oct 2015. City of Shimla is the permanent venue of the festival. The festival is a unique venture in India and is being organised by the Himalayan Velocity in collaboration with Department of Language & Culture (LAC) & Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Government of Himachal Pradesh as part of its endeavour to catalyse a vibrant Documentary, Short Film, Feature Films, Animation Films & Music Videos movement. Increasing accessibility and affordability of media technology has led to a boom in the production and scope of films. The media is now used by image-makers from all walks of life to express, experiment, learn and as an effective tool to communicate and bring about social change. The mission of this film festival is to showcase the World’s Best Cinema and develop taste for Good Cinema among the youths and to provide platform for the Independent Filmmakers & to promote Indian Regional Cinema.

Awards & Prizes

Programme:

​International Competition Section :
There will be an International Level competition for Long & Short Documentaries, Short Fiction, Feature Films, Animation Films & Music Videos produced or co-produced outside India between 1st January 2017 and 30th June 2020. The following awards will be given:
a) Best Long Documentary (Above 40 minutes)
b) Best Short Documentary (40 minutes and below)
c) Best Short Fiction (40 minutes and below)
d) Best Feature Film
e) Best Animation (30 minutes and below)
f) Best Music Video (10 minutes and below)

National Competition Section :
There will be a National Level competition for Long & Short Documentaries, Short Fiction, Feature Films, Animation Films & Music Videos produced or co-produced in India between 1st January 2017 and 30th June 2020. The following awards will be given:
a) Best Long Documentary (Above 40 minutes)
b) Best Short Documentary (40 minutes and below)
c) Best Short Fiction (40 minutes and below)
d) Best Feature Film
e) Best Animation (30 minutes and below)
f) Best Music Video (10 minutes and below)

State Level Competition Section :
There will be a State Level competition for Documentaries, Short Fiction, Feature Films, Animation Films & Music Videos produced or co-produced in Himachal Pradesh between 1st January 2017 and 30th June 2020. This competition will be exclusively for Bonafide Himachali only. The following awards will be given in state level competition:

a) Best Long Documentary (Above 40 minutes)
b) Best Short Documentary (40 minutes and below)
c) Best Short Fiction (40 minutes and below)
d) Best Feature Film
e) Best Animation (30 minutes and below)
f) Best Music Video (10 minutes and below)

Rules & Terms

A) Rules and Regulations for Competitive Sections:

*Only films produced or co-produced in India are eligible for the National level Competition. Films produced or co-produced outside India are eligible for the International level Competition.
*All Indian films participating in the competition have to submit a CBFC certificate or give a self-attestation that the film and music video has been completed between 1st January 2017 and 30th June 2020 (both days inclusive). Same applicable for State Level competition (Bonafide Himachali)
*The Festival absolves itself of any liability in case of dispute regarding the completion date of the entry.
*Films must be available for festival screening on one of the following formats: DCP, High Quality Hard Disk, High resolution downloadable link, Blu ray or 35 mm.
*No films entered once for competition can be re-entered. The decision of the Festival Director will be final.
*No works in progress maybe submitted.
*Only the films entered in the competition category will be considered for competition.
*A director or production company may enter more than one film or music video provided a separate entry form and fees accompanies each film. The entry form must clearly mark the section entered for.
*Only selected films will be intimated by email. No letters of non- acceptance will be sent. All lists will be available on the website (www.iffs.in).
*All non-English-speaking projects must have English subtitles.
*Films that have not been exhibited on the Internet.
*Once a film has been selected it cannot be withdrawn from the Festival programme during the event.
*Entry Fee: The entry fee is non-refundable.

B) General Rules for Film Submission:

*Last Date for submitting the Completed Entry Form and Preview Material is 01 July, 2020.
*All submitted films must carry English subtitles.
​*Films screened once before the Selection Committee CANNOT be re-entered.
*Directors of films in competition will be invited to attend the festival with hospitality during the festival.
*Preview material will not be returned.
*Preview material may be in DVD /drives/ Online links.
*In Case of Online Links: e-mail film online link (Downloadable) , Other preview material (Synopsis, Poster, Trailer, Director Profile, Picture)
*The Preview Parcel must state clearly: NO COMMERCIAL VALUE. FOR FESTIVAL PREVIEW ONLY. The festival will not cover any expense regarding this matter.
*Send Preview parcel by India Post- Speed Post Only. (No Private courier )
*Entrants are required to submit 2 DVDs (Film, Promos, Trailers) and a separate DVD containing Directors Photograph, Bio-data, Filmography, Synopsis of the Film, Stills of the Film, Posters, Pamphlets, etc., Entry Form (Printed copy) & Entry Fee Demand Draft (not required if paid online) packed properly and freight pre-paid.
*Please note: Do not use fibre envelopes as the material can be damaged as well as the festivals viewing equipment. Please pack adequately
*Preview DVD must be labelled with title, running time and contact information. Please do not send Master tapes or any originals. The festival will not be responsible for any damage or loss of Master Tapes/DVD.
*Preview materials will not be returned unless specifically requested by the applicant. *The cost for the same shall be borne by the applicant.
*Publicity: If selected for the festival the entrant must undertake to provide publicity clippings and posters and promo of the film for the use of the festival.
*Decision of the festival jury cannot be challenged.
*​The Festival assumes the submitter has accepted the terms of the festival mentioned here and is authorised to submit the film and the Festival indemnifies itself against any legal or other action in this matter.
*The Director of the festival has the power to waive any of the above mentioned rules.
*Decision of the festival Jury cannot be challenged.
*Jury will determine the winning films and will be composed of individuals selected by the Festival Authorities. The decision of Jury will be final and binding to all.
*The Jury has the right to withhold an award in any Category where no entries, in the Jury's view, meet its standards for award / recognition.

For any queries you are free to e-mail us: info@iffs.in or call +91-8219355952
​Preview material to reach latest by 5.00pm on the 01 July, 2020 on following address:

Festival Director
International Film Festival of Shimla,
Buransh Lodge, MIG House No. 18,
Housing Board Colony, Sanjauli, Shimla
Pin-171006, Himachal Pradesh​​
​Phone: +91-8219355952, +91-8587870532

info@iffs.in
iffshimla@gmail.com

6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Abhimanyu Kukreja

    A very genuine festival with amazing sound system (5.1)! Very respectful to film makers and a great audience! I hope I can visit this festival again! Thanking its founder and all the volunteers who were extremely helpful and professional.

    October 2019
    Helpful
  • Charlie Eads

    Wonderful festival to participate in. They were organized, welcoming and professional. And though we couldn't attend the festival, were proud to be chosen amongst the fellow film makers. I highly recommend The International Festival of Shimla.

    October 2019
    Helpful
  • Merlion Malayalam Pictures

    A festival conducted at the best location, organised by a great team of people!! Great communication and very happy to be a guest for their 2018 festival. Less focus on those "celeberaties" and "limelight" and more focus on encouraging upcoming film makers! One of the descent festivals I attended in 2018. Well Organized !! Indian National award winning films also screened.

    March 2019
    Helpful
  • SGS CINEMAZ

    Best Film festival showcased in India. According to my experience, it is a wonderful festival. Especially I would like to congratulate Mr.Pushpraj Takur and Dev kanya Takur for wonderful organizing the festival. Thanks for wonderful experience and support.

    October 2018
    Helpful
  • Alexis Chaviaras

    The communication was great, the website is very informative as well as the coverage of the event on Facebook. Unfortunately I could not attend the events but I am glad to see that it was well organized!

    December 2016
    Helpful