The PADI Film Festival celebrates bold storytelling that reflects cultural diversity and champions voices often overlooked in mainstream media. Our festival highlights films and screenplays that inspire inclusion, spark dialogue, and share unique perspectives from around the world.
The 2025 edition will be held as an intimate event for our jury, with winners announced online to a global audience.

🎥 AWARDS & PRIZES
SHORT FILMS
Best Short Film
Best Director (Short)
Best Screenplay (Short)
FEATURE FILMS
Best Feature Film
Best Director (Feature)
Best Screenplay (Feature)
DOCUMENTARY
Best Documentary Feature
Best Documentary Short
SPECIAL AWARDS
Jury Choice Award
Best Emerging Filmmaker
Best Ensemble Performance

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
All entries must be submitted via FilmFreeway with a secure online screener.
Short films must not exceed 15 minutes (including credits).
Feature films may be up to 120 minutes.
All submissions must be in English or include burned-in English subtitles/captions. Submissions without captions will not be considered.
Films must be original works completed after January 1, 2020.
Films must be submitted as an .mp4 file in 16:9 format.
All genres are welcome (narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, etc.).
Multiple submissions are allowed, but each film requires its own entry form and paid entry fee.
RIGHTS & LIABILITY
By submitting, the filmmaker confirms they own all rights to the film and all of its elements, including images, music, sound, text, and performances.
The filmmaker is fully responsible for securing all necessary copyright clearances prior to submission.
The PADI Film Festival (PADIFF) accepts no responsibility for any unauthorised use of copyrighted material within submitted works. Liability for any claims of copyright infringement rests solely with the submitter/filmmaker.
SELECTION PROCESS
Films will be evaluated by the PADIFF selection panel with a focus on diversity inclusion, both in content and/or within the creative team.
Films chosen as Official Selections will be awarded laurels.
Winners in each category will be chosen from the Official Selections by the jury.
Screenings will be held as a private, closed event, with winners announced online.