The upcoming edition marks the 12th year of the Smita Patil International Film Festival (SPIFF), founded in 2012 by Arogya Sena to honor the legacy of the legendary actress Smita Patil. Known for her courageous and trailblazing work in Indian cinema, Smita Patil stood as an alternative voice to mainstream films, quickly becoming an icon of bold and audacious storytelling. Though her life was tragically cut short at the age of 31, her profound contributions to cinema continue to resonate across generations.
At SPIFF, we are dedicated to celebrating original voices in both Indian and global cinema, showcasing films that are daring, innovative, and push the boundaries of conventional storytelling. Over the past decade, SPIFF has established itself as one of India’s premier short film festivals, renowned for its carefully curated programming and its vibrant, close-knit community of cinephiles.
The festival is a two-day event held in Pune, featuring enthusiastic audiences, local critics, and exclusive dinner parties for visiting filmmakers. Our programming team is composed of filmmakers and cinephiles who are deeply passionate about cinema, ensuring that SPIFF remains a true celebration of the art form.
Past Juries of SPIFF
• Umesh Kulkarni - Multiple National Awards, Berlinale 2009
• Devashish Makhija - Director of Bhosale, Joram and Ajji.
• Juliette Grandmont - Producer of I am not your Witch(Cannes)
• Anand Patwardhan - Multiple National Awards, Winner at IDFA, Yamagata, MIFF
• Kranti Kanade - Multiple National Award Winner
• Tushar Paranjpe - Berlinale Crystal Bear Winner
• Sumitra Bhave - Legendary Marathi Filmmaker, Multiple National Award Winner
• Gaganvihari Borate - National Award Winner
• Roma Kong - LA-based Producer, SXSW Jury Award
• Bijon Imtiaz - LA-based Producer, UCLA Alumni
• Ashok Rane - Eminent Critic
SPIFF remains committed to honoring the spirit of Smita Patil by spotlighting films that embody the courage, creativity, and conviction that she brought to her work.
Cash Awards Will be Awarded in the Following Categories.
Best Short Fiction Film
Best Short International Film
Best Director
Best Female Filmmaker (Smita Patil Award of Recognition)
Jury Special Mention