:::With the successful completion of Six editions of International Film Festival of Shimla, We are happy & proud to announce 7th International Film Festival of Shimla "IFFS 2021" which will be held in the capital city of Himachal Pradesh in Historical Gaiety Theatre, Shimla, India. The Festival will include Film Screenings and Competitions for Short, Feature, Documentary, Animation, Music Videos, Master Classes and Workshops on Film Making.
Due to the Covid19 Pandemic Sixth Edition of IFFS was organized Virtually in the Year 2020. It was another unique experience for us to organize it Online beside a venue based festival. We thank our supporter, our Hard working Team and Filmmaker who made this event happen online in Pandemic.
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 organized 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 endeavor to catalyze 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

Program:

​International Competition Section :
There will be an International Level competition for Documentaries, Short Fiction, Feature Films, Animation Films & Music Videos produced or co-produced outside India between 1st January 2019 and 30th August 2021. The following awards will be given:
a) Best Documentary (60 minutes and below)
b) Best Short Fiction (40 minutes and below)
c) Best Feature Film (180 Minutes and below)
d) Best Animation (30 minutes and below)
e) Best Music Video (10 minutes and below)

National Competition Section :
There will be an National Level competition for Documentaries, Short Fiction, Feature Films, Animation Films & Music Videos produced or co-produced in India between 1st January 2019 and 30th August 2021. The following awards will be given:
a) Best Documentary (60 minutes and below)
b) Best Short Fiction (40 minutes and below)
c) Best Feature Film (180 Minutes and below)
d) Best Animation (30 minutes and below)
e) 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 2019 and 30th August 2021. This competition will be exclusively for Bonafide Himachali only. The following awards will be given in state level competition:

a) Best Documentary (60 minutes and below)
b) Best Short Fiction (40 minutes and below)
c) Best Feature Film (180 Minutes and below)
d) Best Animation (30 minutes and below)
e) 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 2019 and 30th August 2021 (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 30 September, 2021.
*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
​Offline Preview material to reach latest by 5.00pm on the 30 September, 2021 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

22 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Luca Machnich

    Excellent organization and very friendly and warm team

    January 2022
    Helpful
  • Sohan Lal

    IFFS is one of the best film festivals I’ve ever attended. Not only because it’s held at the historical Geaity theatre in Shimla. There is another reason. I never felt such warmth in any other festival. The nature, the red carpet, diverse filmmakers from all over the world, ever helpfull volunteers, vibrant media , wonderful audience, Professional Organisers, all these add on. IFFS is not just a festival of films ! it’s a celebration ! Celebration of creativity !

    December 2021
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Sohan Lal Ji. It was indeed pleasure to be you hear in Shimla. Learned a lot from your experience. Thanks once again for your presence and active participation.

    Team IFFS

  • Viveck Tewari

    One of the best film festival I have attended. Kudos to the organisers for successfully completing 7 years. Looking forward to attend the 8th Edition next year.

    December 2021
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Viveck.
    Really felt Glad to to see you in Shimla. Thank you once again and hope you enjoyed our recent edition
    with love
    Team IFFS

  • First Show Films

    IFFS is organised most professionally at one of the most beautiful places in India, Shimla. From communication to hosting delegates and from selecting the films to the preview, the organisers had worked out everything in detail. I hope to return in the coming seasons as well.

    December 2021
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your positive feedback. IFFS always try to improve and abide to provide quality of Films to Filmmakers.
    Thank you once again and hope you enjoyed our recent edition
    with love
    Team IFFS

  • SUSHEEL JANGIRA

    It feels great to be an Award Winner in a prestigious Film Festival. My hearty thanks that you found my film- FEED OR BLEED INDIA for this honor and appreciated it as one of the highlights of the festival. There is nothing a film maker craves more than this.

    January 2021
    Helpful