The Alternativa Film Awards is an alternative system for recognizing professionals from developing film industries, and it aims to make them more visible on a global scale. It honors both the artistic merits and potential social impact of cinema, the films that can bring change to the world and society while appealing to a broad audience. The Awards provide monetary prizes.

AWARDS MISSION
To strengthen the ties between cinema and social change.
To find brave new voices and amplify them on a global scale.
To support filmmakers who need it most by providing resources and networking within the international community.
The Alternativa Film Awards serve as a tool to support the development of local film industries by recognizing filmmakers who tell important stories that can change the cultural and social landscape. Its goal is to bring these films to global attention and provide them with a path to reach a wider audience.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA?
The Alternativa Film Awards aim to recognize films with artistic excellence that also have the potential to make a significant societal impact. We aim to support filmmakers with an impact vision. By impact, we mean the positive changes that have occurred or may occur due to the film’s distribution or planned distribution strategy. These changes can affect individuals, local communities, public opinion, and societies where the film is shown, regardless of the film’s origin.

WHAT FILMS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE AWARDS?
As an international initiative, the Awards aim to strengthen cultural ties between various regions. Fiction films, documentaries, animation, and hybrid films made by directors from Asia and completed after January 1, 2023, are eligible for the Alternativa Film Awards. The production date is defined by copyright. Having chosen Southeast Asia as our Focus Region in 2024, we accept short films entries exclusively from Southeast Asia. You can find a full list of eligible countries in the Awards Rules here and on the official website.

WHO CHOOSES THE WINNERS?
A shortlist of Alternativa Film Awards nominees will be drawn up by a Selection Committee consisting of film critics and journalists, curators, and artistic and programming directors of film festivals as well as of impact producers from Southeast Asia and other regions.
The Alternativa Film Awards winners will be chosen by an International Jury consisting of film directors and producers from Asia and other regions, as well as community leaders and NGO representatives.

The Alternativa Film Awards is a part of Alternativa Film Project, an international non-profit initiative to support filmmakers from developing film industries, and to make them more visible on a global scale.

Awards & Prizes

NOMINATIONS
The Alternativa Film Awards are presented in five categories with a total prize fund of $100,000 to be equally divided among the five festival winners so as not to establish hierarchy (Spotlight, Future Voice, Alter, Nativa, and Shorts Awards). We also present one special award (Resonance), which does not come with a cash prize.

In 2024 the Alternativa Film Awards ceremony will take place in November in Indonesia. Directors whose films are selected for the shortlist will be invited to the ceremony, with travel and accommodation costs provided by the organizers.
Nominations for filmmakers from the entire Asian region

SPOTLIGHT / $20,000
This award recognizes a film highlighting a topic or story that would have otherwise remained below the public’s radar. It emphasizes the importance of bringing overlooked social issues to the forefront on screen.

FUTURE VOICE / $20,000
This award is given to a filmmaker who has the potential to contribute to change, both in the film industry and in society in general. The award aims to support new talent and is given for a first or second feature.

ALTER / $20,000
This award recognizes a film that encourages social change. The award is given to a film that addresses critical issues (human rights, migration, environment, etc.) and has the potential to impact society.

NATIVA / $20,000
This award goes to a film that touches on national or cultural identity topics. The award is given for representing a country or a region and putting that place or community on the map.

Nomination for filmmakers from Southeast Asia

SHORT AWARDS / $10,000 each
For two short films produced in the Focus Region. The award aims to support individuals who boldly forge their own paths by creating films that have a clear impact vision.

RESONANCE
A special award for a film that has achieved outstanding success with the audience. This award does not carry a monetary reward. This award does not carry a monetary reward.

Rules & Terms

KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS

Fiction films, documentaries, animation, and hybrid films made by directors from Asia and completed after January 1, 2023, are eligible. The production date is defined by copyright.

The submission to the Awards is free of charge.

The Selection Committee considers feature-length films created by directors from Asian countries and areas. Our definition of Asian сountries and areas has been based on culture and heritage rather than politics, borders, or boundaries and includes Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, DPRK (North Korea), East Timor (Timor-Leste), Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen.

The Selection Committee considers short films exclusively from the Focus Region of Southeast Asia, including Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor (Timor-Leste), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.

The submission deadline is August 18, 2024, 23:59 (UTC + 3).

ALTERNATIVA IMPACT FORM (Custom Submission Form)

To submit a film to Alternativa Film Awards, the submitter should fill out the Impact Form (FilmFreeway Custom Submission Form), which contains questions addressed personally to the filmmakers. Comprehensive answers are strongly encouraged.

If the Impact Form is submitted by a Sales Agent/Festival Agent/Distributor or other representative, we strongly advise to consult the filmmakers prior to submitting. You can find a PDF of the Impact Form on the official website.

Please note that the Selection Committee and the International Jury will primarily consider the film itself. The Impact Form serves as additional information for the Selection Committee and the International Jury.

The answers in the Impact Form are for internal use by the Selection Committee, the International Jury, and the Alternativa Team only. This information will not be disclosed to any other persons without prior consent from the submitter.

By filing the submission, you confirm that you fully accept the Rules & Regulations and the Privacy Policy of the Alternativa Film Awards. You can find PDFs of both documents on the official website.

2 Reviews
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  • prithvi konanur

    To conduct a festival of films in a country that's not yours is in itself is an achievement. But to do that in an extremely professional, efficient, effective and fun way is even harder. Our film Mikka Bannada Hakki was part of the festival in November 2024. Everything was planned so smoothly that not once did I feel anything was missing. Communication was the best, which often can be a challenge for many festivals. Industry days provide an opportunity to interact with the professionals from across the world. I have nothing but praise. And winning the Spotlight award was the best way to end the festival on a high note. I would love to have our future films be a part of the festival in the future. I would strongly suggest all socially conscious filmmakers to make sure that you submit your film to this festival without failure.

    December 2024
    Helpful
  • Ali Beisekov

    A great experience in an amazing and interesting event.

    February 2024
    Helpful