DIFF 2026 will take place in McLeod Ganj from 29 October to 1 November, with an online edition expected to run from 2 to 9 November.
1. Please indicate if you wish to make your film available for the online festival, ‘DIFF On the Road’ year-round programme and community screenings.
2. Given that DIFF is a small festival that can showcase only a limited number of handpicked films, only films that are original in their story-telling and use of cinema language, and that meet the highest international standards, will have a chance of being selected.
3. All films should be independently produced.
4. Films completed on or after 1st January 2025 are eligible for submission.
5. Films need to be a Dharamshala premiere and must not be available online.
6. Entries are accepted in all languages. All non-English language films should contain English subtitles.
7. Only HD format film files are accepted for consideration.
8. All entry fees are non-refundable under all circumstances.
9. PLEASE NOTE: SUBMISSION FEES CANNOT BE WAIVED.
10. Final status of the selected films will be notified by 11 September 2026.
11. Selected films must confirm participation in the festival and send in the required promotional materials within 4 days of receiving the notification. The required promotional materials include: 4 film stills (TIFF or JPEG, min. 10 x 4 inches at 300 dpi), 1 director headshot (TIFF or JPEG, min. 3 x 5 inches at 300 dpi), digital press notes (PDF, must include production credits, synopsis, and director biography), digital film poster (high res). For feature length films a digital trailer/clip is also required.
12. Selected films cannot be withdrawn once the agreement has been signed.
13. DIFF will not pay a screening fee or delivery fee for the selected films.
14. Selected films must provide a downloadable DCP. All films will be screened in DCP format.
15. All selection decisions will be final and binding upon the participants. DIFF is under no obligation to provide any feedback for selections or non-selections.
16. Submitted films should not contain any content which violates/infringes copyright.
17. Any content that promotes racism, hatred amongst communities or religions, gender discrimination, animal cruelty, and/or are religious/commercial propaganda films, will not be accepted.
18. DIFF reserves the rights to use the posters/video clippings/trailers of the selected films for promotion on social media and its partner platforms.
19. Selected films must provide all the required details of their films as per the format prescribed by DIFF, including the digital copy of the film. Exact specifications will be communicated for all selected films.
20. By submitting the film to DIFF, the applicant hereby confirms that she/he is the rightful owner of the film or has the right & authority to submit the film to DIFF for selection. The applicant also indemnifies DIFF from any legal claim or dispute that may arise from the submitted film.
21. In case of films produced by a film institute, government agency, educational institute or any other organization, the applicant must provide written permission via mail (post selection) from the concerned authorities confirming the participation of the film in DIFF. Any kind of misrepresentation or failure to adhere to the norms of DIFF will lead to disqualification of the film.
22. The submitted film should not be under any kind of legal dispute.
23. An Indian censor board certificate is not required, but all selected films are subject to clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification Board of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
24. We do not encourage resubmissions.
