The ChennaiInternational Film Festival (CIFF) is a festival organised in the city of Chennai, India, by a film society, the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation, with the support of the government of Tamil Nadu, the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce and the Film Federation of India, providing a common platform for the film fraternity to show its expression through films; understanding other cultures and project the excellence of this art form; contribute to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of the different nations in the context of the social and cultural ethos; and promote friendship and co-operation among peoples of the world.[2]
The festival has been organized since 2003. It showcases international as well as Indian feature films. The Indian language films are divided into the Tamil (12 films) and the Indian panorama featured films (around 15 films). The festival screens more than 100 international feature films from more than 60 countries under noncompetitive section.

The Competition section is for Tamil Feature Films as well as for World Feature Films.

The CIFF provide awards in the following categories for Tamil Language Feature Films only:
• Best Tamil Feature Film
• Second Best Tamil Feature Film
• Special Jury award to an individual not covered in the above two awards
• Best Actor
• Best Actress
• Best Cinematographer
• Best Editor
• Best Sound Recordist

For World Feature Films Competition, the following awards are given.

Best Feature Film
Second Best Feature Film
Special Mention Certificates

Tamil Feature Films:

Films certified by CBFC between 16th October 2022 and 15th October 2023 are eligible for submission of the entries.

World Cinema competition:

Films completed after 1st November 2022 are only eligible for submission of the entries

Indian Panorama:

Films completed after 1st October 2022 are eligible for submission of the entries

World Cinema:

Films that are completed after 1st July 2022 are eligible for submission of the entries

Main Condition

No screening fee or rental will be paid to the right holders in case of selection in any of the above categories.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Rajni Basumatary

    My film, Gorai Phakhri (Wild Swans) was included in the 2023 edition. It was my second time as my earlier film was here in 2019. I really like the easiness in the entire process of the festival. The communication is top notch with Divya Jay leading the department. Santhanam sir, the festival director are really committed to good cinema.

    January 2024
  • It was a big honour to be part of this fantastic film festival and to watch the enthusiastic audience react to it during the screening. Thank you very much for this great experience and your hospitality.

    December 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for the appreciation and it was an honour to have you with us. Your appreciation is encouraging us to do further more a better job. Regards.

  • A festival run by film lovers. For the audience of Chennai, it is a festival to watch good films. For Filmmakers, it is a good competitive festival for films made in the Tamil Language. Worthy of submission.

    We are thankful that our Tamil Feature 'Kida (Goat)' won the best film in the 20th edition held in 2022.

    We wish the very best for the team.

    June 2023
  • Radhakrishnan Parthiban

    Our film 'IRAVIN NIZHAL [Shadow of the Night] Tamil Feature film received a warm welcome, care and support from the festival programmers and staff, more especially from Mr.Thanga Raj, the festival director.

    CIFF is a great festival to present an author-driven film to cinephile audiences of all sorts. They truly value the indie spirit of their storytellers.

    I am so grateful for having done my premiere there, especially at the beautiful historic Satyam PVR Cinemas.

    Communications with the festival staff were very easy and quick. They were very accommodating with the Festival team, especially being a large crew.

    Thank you very much to the whole team.

    I highly recommend that you apply to CIFF and consider attending it when selected. It's magical and a lot of fun!

    Radha Krishnan Parthiban, filmmaker.

    February 2023
  • Seerkatchi Packil Pandian Bhaskaran

    The CIFF is an energetic festival with excellent programming, and a delight to be involved in. The team was incredibly friendly and professional. Highly recommended.

    December 2022