2021 Was the First Edition of MIFA, as an Awards and Film Festival Format.

Madeira International Film Awards (MIFA) is a Festival dedicated to international films of all genres with screening events. MIFA will take place in the outstanding Madeira Island, Portugal, again elected in 2020 by the World Travel Awards (WTA) as the “World's Leading Island Destination" for the sixth consecutive year.

MIFA’s main goal is to stimulate creativity and interest in cinematic production among film directors around the world as well as promote their work in the World's Leading Island Destination.

MIFA is an awarding body dedicated to groundbreaking, independent cinema, from all around the world. MIFA opens its doors to the future of cinema by welcoming emerging filmmakers, cinematographers, actors, editors and producers to present their films, to be recognised and have their films seen globally.

MIFA is looking for independent projects, and student films to be screened at our events and to promote them at the final GALA.

Each category has the main award and the award for best student film.

Each round, projects are judged by a random team of invited experts from the film industry from around the world and announced on MIFA website.

From the pool of our official selection, which has a very competitive acceptance rate, MIFA chooses the nominees and awards the winners of the season.

Besides the Major Award and the Best Student Award for each category, it can be given also Outstanding Achievement Awards (for the runner-ups).

Also, for each round, MIFA decides and awards ONE overall winner (chosen from all categories) as Best Film Overall.

The judges of the festival will carefully select the films to be nominated for awards, and create a selection of nominated films to be screened in front of the live audience. The fantastic event will give filmmakers opportunities to watch their film on the big screen as well as the opportunity for networking.

Awards are given to the categories below:

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Feature Documentar
Best Short Documentary
Best Experimental
Best Animation

The winners will be announced at the event, on our website, and on social media monthly and prior to the event date. The selected films will have a chance to win awards such as trophies, certificates, gift cards, and cash prizes.

Awards & Prizes

Awards & Prizes

Each Category has the main Award, the Award for Best Student Film and the
Outstanding Achievement Awards (for the runner-ups).

Make sure you visit MIFA website to get access to films in competition and get the latest news.

Best Film Overall (MIFA WINNER CERTIFICATE)

Best Feature Film
 (MIFA WINNER CERTIFICATE).
Best Short Film (MIFA WINNER CERTIFICATE).

Best Student Film
 (MIFA WINNER CERTIFICATE).
Best Feature Documentary
 (MIFA WINNER CERTIFICATE).
Best Short Documentary (MIFA WINNER CERTIFICATE).

Best Student Documentary
 (MIFA WINNER CERTIFICATE).
Best Experimental
 (MIFA WINNER CERTIFICATE).
Best Animation
 (MIFA WINNER CERTIFICATE).

The selected award winners will be screened at our main Theatre Screen and Finalist films will be screened at the Final Gala.

* Prizes will be announced in due time.

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms

For the 2021 MIFA Awards we are aiming to screen at the Casino da Madeira, But due to the Covid-19, social restrictions may be applied.

For eligibility purposes, the following conditions should be fully respected:

There is no maximum length for the films.

The films must include English subtitles (unless the spoken language is English).


By submitting the film, the submitter agrees that:


1. MIFA can use trailers/teasers/film posters/stills for promotional purposes (but do not release, under any form or circumstances, the full film)
.
2. Entry fees are non-refundable.

3. The submitter owns all the rights to the film.

4. The information about the entries can be disclosed to MIFA associated film festivals.
5. Entries are accepted exclusively through FilmFreeway.

MIFA does not accept the following:


1. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organisations.

2. Films which are made before 2015.

3. Films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions for non-English films, or video resolution less than 720p HD).
4.Videos which contain or transmit any message that violates the fundamental rights and freedom of human beings, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For the student fee, it is mandatory the student status evidence (e.g. copy of the student card).

For the live screenings, submitter must provide MIFA with a HD digital file, minimum 1920×1080 (preferably ProRes MP4).

Incomplete or “work in progress” films are not accepted.

The projects that do not follow the rules & terms above can be automatically disqualified at the sole discretion of MIFA and terms.

We reserve the right to update our terms and conditions.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the current COVID-19 health crisis, festival dates, location and/or format are subject to change.

MIFA 2021 © All Rights Reserved