The NIAF (Nightlight Impact Awards Festival) is a Film Awards Festival based in South Africa which is currently running in its first year. We are inviting all films (feature, short films, and student films) to enter their work …

The NIAF’s aim is to promote, empower and to recognize talent and exceptional work in the film Industry worldwide. We are inviting filmmakers from all over to enter their films to the 1st Annual Nightlight Film Festival…

You were brave and bold and made a film - now let's recognize you for that amazing work that you have done and the effort that goes into creating a film. We want to see them all. ANY GENRE. ANY FILM! Doesn't matter if you are an amateur, professional or student!

Our team of professionals, high-end producers, award-winning directors and scriptwriters, and internationally acclaimed actors will sit and watch every minute of every film submitted. We want to see the vision of each filmmaker, the story behind each film, the emotion behind each actor. We want to celebrate groundbreaking talent and filmmakers from all around the world.

We invite and encourage submissions from all over and celebrate the art of filmmaking for every project submitted no matter high-budget or low-budget.

Not only will the judges select the nominees for all our awards categories. . . But for each FILM that gets selected - our judges will send those filmmakers REAL AND VALUABLE FEEDBACK on their film. Get the knowledge of world-renowned filmmakers and producers and they might just see you at the next Comic Con. Use the feedback from our judges as quotes to promote your film.

See below Awards, Prizes and Awards Categories.

For 2019 - we will be running two consecutive seasons during the 1st Annual Nightlight Festival Run. Due to the festival being new and based on the number of entries within South Africa, there will not be an awards gala event for the first season. Instead, Nightlight will host a screening sesh later this year with the films that do get nominated this year for both seasons and in 2020 plan on going bigger and better with a festival screening event and awards ceremony. #watchthespace.

Awards & Prizes

All winners will receive official winning accreditation and an official awards certificate.

All nominees will receive silver custom and personalized Nightlight Film Festival Film Laurel's as NOMINATIONS and Winners will receive personalized GOLD Laurel's for use on their film trailers and promote their film and its recognition.

Winners will all receive IMDb Recognition as the NIAF is an IMDb Recognized Awards Festival - Get listed on the International Movie Date Base Worldwide.

Winners will also be listed and promoted on our social media and most importantly, winners' films will be reviewed by award-winning Film Directors, Producers and Sales Agents who might even offer some winning films international distribution deals.

ALL SELECTED FILMS WILL RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL FEEDBACK FORM FROM OUR JUDGES.

The following categories are applied in our Official AWARDS …
Each category winner will receive an exclusive state-of-the-art Nightlight Impact Award Certificate.

FEATURE FILM AWARDS [11]
• Best Feature Film
• Best Foreign Film
• Best Actress in a Leading Role
• Best Actor in a Leading Role
• Best Actor / Actress in a Supporting Role
• Best Cinematography
• Best Sound Design
• Best Editing
• Best Makeup & Special Effects
• Best Writing
• Best Director

SHORT FILM AWARDS [7]
• Best Actor
• Best Writer
• Best Director
• Best Editor
• Best Cinematography
• Best Foreign Short Film
• Best Short Film

SPECIAL AWARDS [4] - awarded to any film from all over the world
• Best Student Film
• Best International Student Film
• The Industrial Scene Stealer Award
• Nightlight Award for Best Emerging Talent (young and upcoming talent - whether actor, writer, director and etc. Candidate to be younger than 25 - could be awarded to a student).
• Nightlight Impact Award for Lifetime Achievement (to someone that pushes the boundaries of the film industry, strive for innovation and creativity and someone that aren't afraid to be bold and brave and to make an impact). THIS AWARD is selected by the festival themselves.

THE NIGHTLIGHT PREMIERE CHARITY EVENT is a yearly tradition event with some glitz and glam, hosted in the heart of South Africa. During this event, press & media will be present as well as Industry Veterans, Producers & Directors. This is an official red-carpet premiere night. Winners for both seasons run in 2019 will be screened at the Nightlight Premiere Charity Event in November 2019.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility:

- Films accepted from all over the world
- All submissions (films) to be in ENGLISH only.
- Feature Films are minimum 45 minutes and maximum 150 minutes
- Short Films are a minimum of 5 minutes and a maximum of 40 minutes
- Films in any genre accepted except experimental films and documentaries
- Amateur, Student & Professional Film Submissions Accepted.
- Maximum Age Restriction is 16. No films with an age restriction over 16 will be accepted. (Not this isn't an entry age limit, people under 16 can enter their films - this is the age restriction of the actual film).

Winners:
All winners will receive their accreditation winning certificates and Film Laurel's via an EMAIL BOX! Laurels can be used for film trailers and posters to promote films.

Nightlight will list everyone on the IMDb Database if films are recognized and credited. NFF will not accredit or create a page for the film if not it does not exist. That is the filmmaker’s responsibility. NIAF only list the film under their awards films on IMDB as well as the people (winners).

Winners will receive their Awards / Winning Certificates Via Email.

Both winners for the 1st and 2nd Annual NIAF within South Africa will be invited to the Nightlight Premiere Charity Gala Event in November 2019. Winners for both seasons will be combined for a final 2019 overall championship where the judges will choose the overall final 2019 winners from within the 1st and 2nd season and the overall winners for 2019 from both seasons will receive an exclusive trophy at the event.