New Delhi Film Festival-NDFF New Delhi - Eligibility Regulations
1. All films/documentaries shot on film or Video (Analog / Digital format – not applicable for AI) between January 2024 and December 2026 within a running duration of 30 seconds to 180 minutes, are eligible for the festival/award/s.
2. Entries of all films/documentaries (hereafter collectively called Films) shall be accepted only in DVD/Blu-ray/DCP format OR Online screener. After nomination, please send 2 Blu-ray / DCP without watermark and any Advertisement OR Online screener for download.
3. There shall be 19 categories in the festival/award: Feature Fiction, Animation Feature, Documentary Feature, Short Fiction, Short Documentary, Short Animation, Student Film (short fiction, short documentary and short animation), Mobile Film, Web Series, Ad Film, Delhi Special 11A to 11D, Best OTT Feature Fiction Film, Best OTT Short Fiction Film, Best Photograph-any type, International Screenplay Competition ISC@NDFF (Mind to Audience), Live performance at NDFF, AI Short Fiction, AI Feature Fiction & Music/Song/Album (Up to 10 Min).
A- To be eligible for feature fiction, AI feature & short, OTT feature fiction, animation feature, and documentary feature category competition sections, a film must be 45(+) minutes to 180(-) minutes
Aa- To be eligible for the short fiction, AI short and under 45 minutes, OTT Short fiction, short documentary film, short animation film, and Delhi special (11A to 11D four categories) category competition section, a film must be less than 45 minutes in duration.
B- Student film competition section must not exceed duration of more than 30 minutes.
C- Mobile film competition section must not exceed duration of more than 30 minutes.
D- Ad film competition section must not exceed duration of more than 7 minutes.
E- Web Series: submit maximum 10 web series, shortlisted top one only out of all submissions if selected by the jury.
F - Music/Song/Album must not exceed duration of more than 10 minutes.
G - International Screenplay Competition ISC@NDFF (Mind to Audience) - One person can submit a maximum of 2 entries. For features: page limit (paper size A4, with one enter space & font (any font) size-12) 2-250 & for Shorts: page limit (A4, with one enter space, font (any font) size-12) 2-80.
H - Live performance - We invite applications from all filmmakers and artists for NDFF. If you want to present your live performance, such as a song, dance, music album, live band, etc., then submit your entry today. The top five will be selected from the submitted entries. The five selected teams will be given a chance to perform live in NDFF. Only upload your short or full video or a link to the video for submission (in English or with English subtitles or without subtitles also).
4. If a film is not eligible to be entered in any category will be eligible for Best Critic Film.
5. If the language of the film is other than English, it must be dubbed or sub-titled in English.
6. Films may be entered by any organization, agency, individual producer or director.
7. Selection of films/videos for NDFF 2027 will be done by a committee whose decision will be final. However, Festival Authorities reserve the right to accept or reject any film that is likely to offend sentiments, feelings or sensibilities of any caste, community, religion and sect or is likely to promote racism or ill will in society.
8. A complete list of top-selected films in each category shall be put up on the festival website on December 21, 2026.
9. Transportation and insurance costs of DVDs/Blu-rays/DCP’s related documents, photographs and publicity materials from the country of origin to the Festival Office shall be borne by the applicant.
10. NDFF would be allowed to use all photographs and publicity materials received along with the Entry, and the same will not be returned to the entrants.
11. Student / Diploma films/videos cannot be considered as Director's First film.
12. Censorship will not be applicable to any films / videos entered in the festival.
13. The Festival Authorities will have the right to screen (a maximum of 5 screenings) in different cities of India on a non-commercial basis.
14. For promotional / publicity purposes, excerpts from any film entered in the festival may be shown on any Television network / Internet or related media during the festival period.
15. Entry Forms with incorrect / inadequate / illegible / ambiguous particulars will not be considered.
16. DVDs submitted for selection will be considered as final and no changes will be entertained after submission. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to submit DVDs without any physical / quality defects.
17. Prize and certificate will be awarded to the director (s) or producer(s) of the film. For any duties, fees and charges accrued from the transporting of the trophy, will be covered by the recipient, not the festival organisers.
18. All shortlisted entries will receive a certificate. (Cost of certificate production and courier charges will be covered by the submitter, Director or producer, if you are coming in New Delhi Film Festival, please collect; there will be no charges.)
19. Anybody can submit one or more entries. There is no limit for submission.
20. Films once selected and submitted for the final screening will not be allowed to be withdrawn under any circumstances until the Festival is over.
21. The Festival proposes to have a maximum of 5 screenings per film as per FIAPF Regulations for non-competitive festivals and competitive specialised festivals, which allow for a maximum of 5 screenings per film.
22. DVD’s or Online Preview link for Selection
DVD’s or online preview links of films may also be sent for purposes of selection (selection committee of NDFF) only to reach the Festival Director not later than 15 December 2026. DVDs may also be sent through diplomatic channels. Or send an online preview link with a secure password or without a password.
23. Participation in the Festival implies acceptance of these Regulations.
24. Decisions of the Festival Authorities regarding all matters not expressly provided for in these regulations or which require interpretation of the clauses mentioned above shall be final and binding on all parties.
INTERNATIONAL AI FILM COMPETITION - GLOBAL CATEGORIES
The New Delhi Film Festival-NDFF presents the International AI Film Competition, a global platform dedicated to celebrating the next generation of storytelling and the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in cinema. The Competition welcomes filmmakers, writers, artists, innovators, students, researchers and creative professionals from all continents.
The Competition recognizes excellence in AI-generated and AI-assisted cinema across a wide range of formats and disciplines. Unless otherwise specified, all genres, languages, production formats and countries are eligible.
________________________________________
1. AI Short Film
Eligibility
1. Competition is open to AI-generated or AI-assisted short films and documentaries from all continents.
2. Films completed between January of the previous year and December of the current year are eligible for submission.
3. Entries may be submitted via Online Screener, DVD, Blu-ray, or Hard Disk. Selected films must provide a high-resolution screener without watermark or advertisements.
4. Films must have a running time between 30 seconds and 45 minutes.
5. All formats, genres, languages and countries are accepted.
________________________________________
2. AI Feature Film
Eligibility
1. Competition is open to AI Feature Films by directors and producers from all continents.
2. Films must have a running time exceeding 45 minutes.
3. Films completed or released between January of the previous year and December of the current year are eligible.
OR
Unreleased and post-production films are also accepted.
4. Online Screeners are accepted.
5. Films submitted in this category may automatically be considered for applicable feature film awards.
6. All formats, genres, languages and countries are accepted.
________________________________________
3. AI Documentary – Short & Feature
Eligibility
1. Competition is open to AI Documentary Films from all continents.
2. Short documentaries (under 45 minutes) and feature documentaries (over 45 minutes) are eligible.
3. Films completed, released or currently in post-production are accepted.
4. Entries may be submitted through Online Screener, DVD, Blu-ray or Hard Disk.
5. All formats, genres, languages and countries are accepted.
________________________________________
4. AI Animation Film – Short & Feature
Eligibility
1. Competition is open to AI-generated and AI-assisted animated films.
2. Both short and feature-length animation films are eligible.
3. Short AI Animation (under 45 minutes) and Feature AI Animation (over 45 minutes) are eligible.
4. Entries may be submitted through Online Screener, DVD, Blu-ray or Hard Disk.
5. All formats, genres, languages and countries are accepted.
________________________________________
5. AI Experimental Film – Short & Feature
Eligibility
1. Competition is open to experimental and avant-garde films employing Artificial Intelligence in storytelling or visual expression.
2. Fiction, documentary, animation, hybrid and mixed-media projects are eligible.
3. Films with running times ranging from 1 to 180 minutes are accepted (short under 45 minutes and feature over 45 minutes).
4. Online Screeners are accepted.
5. All formats, genres, languages and countries are accepted.
________________________________________
6. AI Music Video
Eligibility
1. Competition is open to AI-generated and AI-assisted music videos.
2. Music videos must not exceed 7 minutes in duration.
3. AI may be utilized in any aspect of production including visuals, animation, editing, sound and creative design.
4. Entries may be submitted through Online Screener, DVD, Blu-ray or Hard Disk.
5. All formats, genres, languages and countries are accepted.
________________________________________
7. AI Student Film – Short & Feature
Eligibility
1. Competition is open to students of recognized schools, colleges, universities and film institutions worldwide.
2. Proof of student status may be required.
3. Fiction, documentary, animation, experimental and hybrid films utilizing AI are eligible.
4. Films between 2 and 180 minutes are accepted (short under 45 minutes and feature over 45 minutes).
5. Online Screeners are accepted.
6. All formats, genres, languages and countries are accepted.
________________________________________
8. AI-Assisted Film (Human + AI) – Short & Feature
Eligibility
1. Competition is open to films created through collaboration between human creativity and Artificial Intelligence technologies.
2. AI tools may be employed in writing, editing, animation, visual effects, sound design, music composition, voice generation or other creative processes.
3. Films between 2 and 180 minutes are eligible (short under 45 minutes and feature over 45 minutes).
4. Entries may be submitted via Online Screener, DVD, Blu-ray or Hard Disk.
5. All formats, genres, languages and countries are accepted.
________________________________________
9. AI Screenplay Award – Short & Feature
Eligibility
1. Competition is open to original screenplays developed wholly or partially with AI assistance.
2. Short, feature, documentary, animation and web series scripts are eligible.
3. Scripts between 2 and 250 pages may be submitted in PDF format. (short under 80 pages and feature over 80 to 250 pages).
4. Produced, unproduced and in-development projects are accepted.
5. Writers from all countries are eligible.
________________________________________
10. AI Innovation Award
Eligibility
1. Competition is open to innovations at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Cinema.
2. Eligible entries include AI filmmaking tools, virtual production technologies, digital avatars, immersive experiences, voice technologies and other pioneering applications.
3. Individuals, institutions, studios, companies and research teams from around the world are invited to participate.
4. Demonstration videos, presentations, prototypes or completed projects not exceeding 10 minutes may be submitted.
5. All formats and countries are accepted.
https://ndffindia.org/submit.php
