Calling all storytellers! The CISHORTFF 2024 is here, a film festival that celebrates the vibrant tapestry of cultures around the world. We all know that cinema is a magic box, showing us stories that touch our hearts no matter where we're from. It's a language we all understand, a way to see the beauty of being human.

So, if you're a filmmaker with a burning story to tell, we want to hear from you! Submit your film to our festival, be it a laugh-out-loud comedy, a heart-wrenching drama, or anything in between. This is your chance to share your talent with the world and connect with other passionate filmmakers from India and beyond.

Don't miss out on this golden opportunity! Submit your film to the CISHORTFF 2024 today!

Awards & Prizes

The following awards will be given out at the 4th Calcutta International Short Film Festival:
1. Best Short Film (Fiction): This award recognizes the best short film that tells a fictional story.
2. Best Animated Short Film: This award honors the best short film made using animation techniques.
3. Best Experimental Short Film: This award goes to the most outstanding short film that pushes creative boundaries and storytelling formats.
4. Best Documentary Short Film: This award recognizes the best short documentary film.
5. Best Director: This award honors the director who helmed the most impressive short film.
6. Best Editing: This award goes to the editor who created the most impactful and well-structured edit for a short film.
7. Best Cinematography: This award recognizes the best visual storytelling and shot composition in a short film.

Rules & Terms

CISHORTFF 2024 - Film Submission Guidelines

Rules:
1. Only Fresh Films: All films submitted must be made after September 1, 2023, and meet the following criteria:
2. Short & Sweet: CISHORTFF 2024 considers films 30 minutes or less as "short films."
3. No Public Screenings: Films already available online (DVD/Blu-ray/VOD/OTT platforms/websites) are not eligible.
4. Promotions Not Allowed: We don't accept promotional films like tourism ads, charity appeals, or awareness campaigns.

Terms & Conditions:
By submitting your film to the CALCUTTA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2024 (CISHORTFF-2024), you agree to the following:

1. Selection Process: Submitting a film doesn't guarantee being nominated, officially selected, or winning an award. Our judges review all entries, and shortlisted filmmakers will be informed by email and announced on our website/social media. Canvassing for votes will lead to disqualification.
2. Certificates & Awards: Official selections/nominees will receive certificates and laurels. Awards are only for winners chosen by the judges.
3. Picking Up Your Wins: If you can't attend the awards ceremony, our team will contact you to arrange delivery of your certificates/awards.
4. Keep it Short: Entries, including credits, must be under 30 minutes.
5. English Subtitles Required: All entries must have English subtitles. Submissions without them will be rejected.
6. Multiple Entries Welcome: You can submit more than one film in a category or across categories.
7. Right to Reject: CISHORTFF 2024 reserves the right to reject any entry.
8. Promotional Use: CISHORTFF 2024 can use short clips from any submitted film for festival promotion. By submitting, you confirm you have the authority to screen the film and understand these requirements.
9. Hold Harmless: You agree to indemnify and hold CISHORTFF 2024 harmless from any claims, damages, or expenses (including lawyer fees) arising from copyright, trademark, credits, or publicity issues.
10. No Refunds: CISHORTFF 2024 won't reimburse payments for films submitted in the wrong category. Entries without proper payment or submission media may be disqualified by the festival director. The festival does not fund filmmaker expenses.
11. Official Selection & Screening: If chosen as an official selection, you'll be contacted via email, and your film will be listed on the festival website/social media. This doesn't guarantee screening at the festival, but it means your film impressed the judges, and you can use the festival logo on your poster.
12. No Refunds on Withdrawals: Withdrawing your submission does not qualify you for a refund. Entry fees are non-refundable.
13. What We Need: We require an official trailer or poster, a synopsis, and a link to your film screener. Choose the relevant category when submitting to avoid disqualification. We reserve the right to reassign films to their proper categories.
14. Rule Changes: CISHORTFF 2024 reserves the right to change these Rules & Terms at any time without notice. Filmmakers are advised to check for updates regularly.

Disclaimers:
1. Following the Law: Participating in the Calcutta International Short Film Festival automatically implies compliance with current Indian laws and regulations. Producers, distributors, and others submitting films must be legally allowed to do so.
2. Screening Rights: By submitting a nominated/accepted film, you grant CISHORTFF 2024 complete authority to screen it at designated times and charge an entry fee.
3. No Box Office Share: Filmmakers won't receive any revenue from box office proceeds, which will be used by the festival to cover presentation costs. Short film screenings rarely cover their costs.
4. Technical Disclaimer: The festival strives to showcase films in the best possible way, but cannot be held responsible for any technical issues during screenings. All entries are pre-screened to ensure professional standards. The Festival accepts no responsibility for technical difficulties during the event.
5. Dispute Resolution: The Festival reserves the right to judge any issues not covered by the Regulations and make exceptions in justified cases. Indian law will be considered binding in case of any disagreement over-regulation interpretation.
6. Security Disclaimer: The festival takes precautions to safeguard and control access to your entry/screener link. However, the
13 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Bishal Swargiary

    Good festival, superb communication, thanks for selecting our documentary.

    December 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for your kind words. This has motivated us to raise our bar for our next edition. Best regards.

  • Mimi Garrard

    Thank you! We were very happy to be a part of your fine festival. Mimi Garrard

    December 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words. This has definitely motivated us to raise our bar for our next edition. Best regards.

  • Inuk Jørgensen

    Hats off to CISFF for arranging a superb online festival of 2022. I was happy to make the official selection, let alone win the award for Best Doc. Thanks once again. The people behind the festival were very professional and the films were carefully curated and the festival did their best to make the festival seem like a festival even through the pandemic. I liked the platform and the availability of “meet and greets” and such.

    December 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for sharing your experience. This has definitely motivated us to work harder for our next edition. Best regards.

  • Yurugu Matsumoto

    Thank you for choosing my movie.
    I hope to see you again!

    December 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words. This has definitely motivated us to work harder for our next edition. Best regards.

  • Kent Tate

    The Calcutta International Short Film is a world class short film festival which brought together a wonderful selection of international films. Festival Director Shubhankar Mazumdar and Programming Director Ankit Bagchi made every effort to ensure that the filmmakers and the audience had the best experience possible. It was an honour to have my film “Carbon Sky” selected for the Experimental film program in the first edition of CISFF!

    January 2021
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