Our festival is scheduled for August 2026. Applications close June 15th. Late applications July 1. This year we welcome Ohio film makers to submit their short films 10 minutes or less (English). We hope to create a true cross cultural collaboration.
The Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati started in 2015 is the only Indian/ South Asian Film Festival of its kind in Cincinnati and Ohio. The opening film will be showcased at the Fath theatre in collaboration with the Cincinnati Art Museum. The festival is dedicated to providing filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals a platform to showcase their work, and exchange ideas with one another, and interact with film personnel in the Hollywood space, as well as journalists, diverse audiences, and film aficionados. Many films of our past festival selections have subsequently won awards or been featured on streaming media such as Netflix or Amazon.
Designed to engage diversity through film, the festival selects films that speak to an American audience through topics and issues that embrace the common human values across our cultures. We screen premieres of feature, and short films made in and about the Indian/South Asian subcontinent, or it's people or made by Indians.
In an effort to bring the cross-cultural film makers together, local Tri-State & Ohio film makers who are not of Indian origin are also requested to submit their films. Locally made films must speak to diversity and our common human values. The festival is a joint collaboration with the Cincinnati Sister cities (India) and the Art Museum of Cincinnati.
MAIN CATEGORIES FOR SUBMISSIONS.
FEATURE NARRATIVE- Narrative works preferably under 120 minutes
SHORT NARRATIVE- Narrative works under 30 mins
FEATURE DRAMA - Dramatic works preferably under 120 mins
SHORT DRAMA - Dramatic works under 30mins.
SECONDARY CATEGORIES: The festival encourages films on Pride (LGBTQ),
Trafficking, Migration, Social and Gender Identity and Equality Topics.

Awards & Prizes

Awards are presented in the following categories wherever applicable by the Festival Jury , Jury may chose not to award a prize in a particular category. They include a certificate and the IFFCincy crystal trophy.
Best Film Narrative Feature
Best Film Docu-story/documentary

Best Short Film Narrative
Best Short Film documentary
Best Short Film Ohio

Best Director 2 awards

Best Actor
Best Cinematographer
Best Animated Film
NEW OHIO FILM MAKERS CATEGORY
Best Film.( Must receive at least 50 submissions in this category for the cash prize)
Films are nominated by the selection committee
Any entry that solicits payment,are not included in the competition.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY
Submitted works MUST satisfy ANY ONE of the eligibility criteria below:

LOCAL OHIO & TRI STATE FILM MAKER’S FILMS
Films made locally by Tri-State & Ohio film makers: Films produced and directed in the Tri-State as long as the film speaks to diversity and our common human values.

INDIAN/SOUTH ASIAN FILMS
Films produced and directed in India/South Asia. Filmmakers working in all Indian regional languages, and those working on animation and children's films are encouraged to apply.
OR
INDIAN DIASPORA FILMS
Films that feature the work of filmmakers, actors, writers, directors et al of Indian heritage.
OR
INDIAN INSPIRED FILMS
Films made by Non-Indians that feature significant Indian content, inspiration, subject matter.

In addition to the above, Entrants must fully comply with the Entry Rules & Regulations, including all deadlines, film length, entry material and other requirements outlined below.
PREMIERE STATUS
Only films that have not premiered in Cincinnati, or the Tri-State Area will remain in consideration.
LANGUAGE
Non-English language works must have English subtitles at the time submitted. Subtitles must be legible (large and clear).
ENTRY MATERIALS
All entries must include the following:
1.ENTRY FORM completed on Film Freeway and at https://forms.gle/iRsUpCk67kwnSfRDA
2. SUBMISSION FEES
3. SCREENERS: A Secure Online Screener, preferably Vimeo.
4. TRAILER: 15-second trailer of the film in downloadable or Vimeo format.
5. PRESS KIT – We require the following, please adhere to the guidelines for your synopsis and director’s bio. Only the specified number of words will be published. If you provide more than the required number of words, they will not be published.
Short Films a 50 word or less synopsis (may be used for Festival Program and website)
Feature Length Films: 100 Word or less Synopsis (may be used for Festival Program and website). You must be able to do this.
Director's Bio 60 words only.
Director's photo in Hi resolution jpeg 1 mb or more
Cast and Crew information.
Accepted entries must submit at least one digital 300dpi still photo from the film and at least one web-ready still at 72dpi and 560×315 pixels.
Entry materials will not be returned and will be destroyed or discarded by the Festival.

Please make sure, your information including the items mentioned above is filled out in the custom google form provided by us for you on FilmFreeway and that the Official Release Form is signed.

Short films : Please click on or add to your browser, https://forms.gle/xMB7VfPG7T6WYbP19 and fill the google form.
Feature Films: Please click on or add to your browser, https://forms.gle/J8N7QupBjWeoxRCC7 and fill the google form on https://forms.gle/iRsUpCk67kwnSfRDA