In the breathtaking city of Venice, where every corner tells a story, the Venice International Film Awards (VIFA) was founded in 2023 with a singular purpose: to celebrate films that dare to challenge, inspire, and redefine what cinema can be. Far from just another festival, VIFA has quickly become a vibrant meeting ground for filmmakers, dreamers, and creators from all over the world.

At VIFA, we don’t just screen films; we uncover voices. Whether it's a raw, unfiltered documentary or a bold experiment in storytelling, VIFA embraces works that resonate beyond the screen. We believe in the transformative power of cinema—its ability to spark dialogue, shift perspectives, and leave audiences forever changed.

Our mission is simple: empower filmmakers to share their truth. By offering an international platform where stories that matter come to life, VIFA fosters a space for filmmakers to connect with audiences who see and feel the world through their lens.

VIFA is brought to life by a dynamic team of industry veterans and passionate storytellers. From directors and producers to film festival curators, this is a group that understands the grit, passion, and endless creativity it takes to make a film. Supported by partnerships with leading production houses, creative media platforms, and global organizations, VIFA’s team is committed to creating an unforgettable experience for filmmakers and film lovers alike.

There’s no better backdrop for creativity than Venice—a city that’s as much an artwork as the films we showcase. With its rich cultural heritage and timeless allure, Venice provides the perfect setting for cinematic celebration, making every moment of VIFA an experience in itself.

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Experimental Film
Best Cinematography
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Actor
Best Actress
Audience Choice Award

Rules & Terms

Film Duration：
Short Films: Must be less than 60 minutes in duration.
Feature Films: Must be 60 minutes or longer.

Content Requirements：
All submissions must be original works. Adaptations must include proper copyright permissions.
Films should align with the festival’s values of creativity, diversity, inclusion, and cultural innovation.
Films can explore any theme but must not contain material promoting violence, hate speech, or illegal content.
Films must be submitted in digital formats (MP4, MOV) with a resolution of at least 1080p.

Technical Standards：
Submitted films must meet professional technical standards, ensuring clear visuals and sound.
Audio and subtitles must sync correctly with the video, without any noticeable technical defects.
If technical issues arise during playback, the festival team will contact the filmmaker for a corrected version.

Eligibility：
Films from all countries and regions are welcome. There are no geographical restrictions.
Filmmakers retain full copyright ownership of their works but must grant the festival permission to screen their films during the event and use excerpts for promotional purposes.
The festival accepts submissions from filmmakers of all levels, including students, independent creators, and professional production teams.

Evaluation Criteria：
All submissions will be judged by the festival jury based on the following:
1.Artistic Vision: How effectively does the film communicate its story through visuals, sound, and performance?
2.Originality: Does the film present a fresh perspective or innovative approach?
3.Cultural and Social Impact: Does the film address contemporary issues and contribute to cultural diversity?
4.Technical Excellence: The quality of cinematography, editing, sound design, and other technical aspects.

Additional Information：
Filmmakers are responsible for any costs related to submitting their films or preparing them for screening.
The festival team reserves the right to reject any submission that does not meet the eligibility requirements.

Legal Disclaimer：
The filmmaker is solely responsible for any copyright or intellectual property issues related to their submission.
The festival reserves the right to disqualify any film that infringes on copyright, violates the law, or includes material that is inappropriate.
By submitting a film, the filmmaker agrees to all the above rules and permits the festival to use excerpts for promotional purposes.