Cinema is considered as one of the most powerful media with its accessibility and strength of communication. But the accessibility of cinema has to be mirrored by representation of a multitude of voices.
Art may be a mirror, a pioneer, a kaleidoscope of voices and numerous other elements the creator intends to create. But art and the artist are part of the world they seek to speak about or speak to.
The bridges between these voices and perspectives and the mainstream viewer and the market are Film Festivals!
Film festivals encourage and engage with diversity of art and representation. They foster critical thinking with respect to stories, facets of art work, social issues, human relations and political spectrum and seek out better representationof the world.
We welcome you to CIFFI 2023- Cineaste International Film Festival of India.
Launched in 2019, CIFFI is a pioneering voice in the international film festival circuit.
In addition to film screenings from around the world, the 4-day film festival CIFFI 2019 saw a hitherto unseen level of deliberation and discussion on cinema with filmmakers, cinema academics and artists – a tradition that continues in subsequent editions of this film festival.
Pandemic hitCIFFI 2020 was the world’s first 7-day Hybrid Film festival organised by educational institutions of two continents. Following the path set in 2019, the second edition was also organised jointly by DME Noida and Deakin University Melbourne.
Academic pursuits seek to challenge and broaden every known horizon of knowledge and perspective. This perspective ledCIFFI 2021 and it was the uniqueness of the festival. While collaboration between DME and Deakin University continued, the third edition of the festival marked the entry of more than three thousand films from 111 countries.
In the age of OTT platforms and omnipresence of digital media, filmmaking has changed from idea to screen. So, in CIFFI 2023, we seek a change in the experience of watching films while expecting that the horizon of films will broaden and expand.
In CIFFI 2021, we celebrated the cinematic rejuvenation while saying a good bye to COVID-19. In CIFFI 2023, we are striving to strengthen the spirit of togetherness. With all collaborations intact in the fourth edition of the film festival, we are looking forward to make it an enriching experience for all.
Stay tuned for various screening sessions, workshops and Master classes by eminent experts.
CIFFI is open to college students and independent filmmakers from across the globe.

Awards & Prizes
Short Films - Up to 5 minutes
Best Short Film I
Trophy and INR 5000
Best Short Film II
Trophy and INR 5000

Fiction Films - 5 to 20 minutes
Best Fiction Film – I
Trophy and INR 10000
Best Fiction Film – II
Trophy and INR 10000

Documentary - 5 to 20 minutes
Best Documentary – I
Trophy and INR 10000
Best Documentary – II
Trophy and INR 10000

Ad Films - Up to 3 minutes
Best Ad Film – I
Trophy and INR 3000
Best Ad Film – II
Trophy and INR 3000

Musicals - Up to 5 minutes
Best Musical Film – I
Trophy and INR 5000
Best Musical Film – II
Trophy and INR 5000

Animation Films - Up to 10 minutes
Best Animation Film – I
Trophy and INR 7000
Best Animation Film – II
Trophy and INR 7000

School Student Film - Up to 5 minutes

Rules & Terms
1. All films shot on film or video between 2021- 2023 can be submitted for the festival.
2. If the language of the film is other than English, it must be dubbed or sub-titled in English.
3. Films may be submitted by student filmmakers and independent filmmakers in a competitive category.
4. Films received for the festival will be previewed by a Screening Committee and the films cleared by this committee will be screened during the festival. The screening schedule will be notified ahead of the screening.
5. The films cleared by the Screening Committee will be viewed at two levels –Nomination Jury and Selection Jury comprising film experts. The decision of the Selection Jury will be final and binding.
6. However, CIFFI 2023 Directorate reserves the right to reject a film that is likely to offend sentiments, feelings or sensibilities of any caste, community, religion, gender and is likely to promote racism or ill will in the society.
7. Costs of related documents, photographs and publicity material from the country of origin to the Festival Office shall be borne by the applicant. (if applicable)
8. CIFFI 2023 has the right to use all photographs and publicity materials received along with the Entry and the same will not be returned/withdrawn.
9. For promotional/publicity purposes, excerpts from any film entered in the festival may be shown on any Television network/Internet or related media during the festival period.
10. Entry Forms with incorrect / inadequate / illegible / ambiguous particulars will not be considered.
11. Prizes, trophies and certificates will be awarded to the director (s) or producer (s) of the film.
12. Anybody can submit one or more than one entry. There is no limit on submissions.
13. Films once selected and submitted for the final screening will not be allowed to be withdrawn under any circumstances, until the Festival is over.
14. Entry form along with necessary document, payment details (screen shot) and photographs mailed on the official email id of CIFFI 2023 (CIFFI@dme.ac.in).
15. Films must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.
16. Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials used in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights.
17. There is No Registration fee.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Maithili Naikare

    Hello! My film 'The Runaway Bride' was screened and awarded 'Best Film' at Cineaste International Film Festival 2023/24. Although I couldn't attend it, I was grateful to be a part of it and their communication with me was great. Thank you for selecting my film and for this amazing experience!

    February 2024
  • Babz Eti

    Good film festival in a good position

    February 2024
  • Wonderful festival, I hope next year attend in your festival again

    February 2024
  • Ruben Kazaryan

    Hello. I liked the festival. I liked the initial attitude and the letter about appearing on the shortlist. But it is also important for the author to receive a letter, of course, if the film did not receive any prizes.

    March 2023
  • I am honored that my film KASHMIRI PANDITS"The Inivisible Refugees"30Year's In Exile has been officially selected in this very cool Film Festival !
    Great to take a part in such a fantastic film festival, staff were very helpful and communication was great.

    March 2023