INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF MINDNEST (IFFM)

Short Films | Meaningful Stories | Indian Voices

The Indian Film Festival of Mindnest (IFFM) is a curated short film festival based in Palakkad, Kerala, India, dedicated to showcasing meaningful cinema from around the world.

The inaugural edition (2026) featured 16 officially selected short films from countries including Spain, France, the United States, Iran, and India. The festival created a vibrant platform for filmmakers to explore diverse narratives, cultural perspectives, and powerful human experiences.

IFFM focuses on psychologically rich, socially relevant, and artistically expressive storytelling, reflecting Mindnest’s vision of integrating cinema with emotional and mental well-being.

Beyond screenings, the festival encourages interactive dialogue between filmmakers and audiences, fostering deeper engagement with cinema as an art form.

IFFM aims to grow as a global platform connecting emerging voices and international cinema.

Mindnest Short Film Fest – Season 1 (2026)

The first edition of the Indian Film Festival of Mindnest was held at VT Nest Hall, Chandranagar, Palakkad. The festival showcased 16 short films from across the globe, including entries from Spain, France, the USA, Iran, and India.

The event concluded with an engaging closing ceremony attended by cultural and community leaders, followed by an interactive session between filmmakers and the audience. The festival successfully created a space for dialogue between local and global cinema.

UNDER 5 MINUTES CATEGORY
Best Film: Swallow (France)
Best Director: Swallow
Best Editor: Swallow
Best Cinematography (DOP): Swallow
Best Actor: Swallow
Best Script: Swallow
Special Jury Mention: Innocent Prisoner

UNDER 30 MINUTES CATEGORY
Best Film: Everything We Lost – Belén Mayordomo (Spain)
Best Director: Mohammadreza Rahmani – A Little Gold Fish (Iran)
Best Director (Special Mention): Abhishek Tata & Chirag Patel – Malaal
Best Script: Belén Mayordomo – Everything We Lost
Best Actor: A Little Gold Fish (Child Actor)
Best Actor (Special Mention):
Naosheen Ahmed (Malaal),
Kyrpien (Driver),
Pasqui (Chonna Manga)
Best Cinematography (DOP): Everything We Lost
Best Cinematography (Special Mention): A Little Gold Fish – Kyrpien
Best Editor: Kyrpien
Best Editor (Special Mention): Everything We Lost, Malaal

Fees are charged per nomination category.

2. Under 30-minute films: ₹1000 per nomination

3. Under 5-minute films: ₹500 per nomination

3. All non-English language films must have English subtitles.​

4. Short films must be submitted via an online Link( preferably a YouTube link private/public)

5 Short films may not exceed 30 minutes in length.

6. Short films submitted under the "5-Minute Short" category may not exceed 5 minutes in length (without credits).

7. We have no production year barrier.

8. There is no limit on the number of films that each director or producer can submit.

10. All entries must have a synopsis, and Cast n Crew Discription .

11. All entries will be notified about the selection via email.

12. The jury will decide the nominees and the award winning short films in each category. Some categories may not get any nomination if the short films do not match with the selection criteria.

13. Nominees will get our official laurels.

14. Winners will get our official laurels and a digital certificate.

15.The directors and producers of the films submitted declare that they hold the rights of all intellectual forms of expression of third parties contained in their films.

16. All directors and producers give us the right to screen their short films.

17. All directors and producers allow us to use press materials and trailers from their films for promotional purposes.

18. Entries will be disqualified if they don't match with submission rules.

19. Entry fees are non-refundable.

20. The event organizers can change the rules and terms anytime.

21. The submission of the short films results in acceptance of this regulation

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • I am truly grateful to the MINDNEST Film Festival for honoring my film Innocent Prisoner with an Honourable Mention. It is a wonderful platform that genuinely supports meaningful storytelling and independent filmmakers. Thank you to the entire team and jury for this recognition. It motivates me to continue telling impactful stories.

    April 2026