About the Festival: (Global Cinema in the Heart of the Himalayas)

Dev Bhoomi International Film Festival (DBIFF) is a travelling international film festival set across the majestic Himalayan cities of India.
Rooted in the spirit of cultural exchange and cinematic excellence, DBIFF is not a spiritual or religious festival, but a celebration of powerful storytelling, diverse voices, and global cinema.
The Himalayas are not just mountains — they are living landscapes of resilience, silence, depth, and humanity. DBIFF brings world cinema to these heights, connecting global filmmakers with mountain audiences and creating a unique cultural bridge between the world and the Himalayas.

Our Vision:

To create a world-class cinematic platform in the Himalayan region that:
1. Showcases outstanding films from across the globe
2. Encourages cross-cultural dialogue
3. Promotes regional filmmaking talent
4. Builds sustainable film culture in mountain cities
5. Positions the Himalayas as a global cinematic destination

We invite films from around the world in the following categories:

International Feature Films
Indian Feature Films
Independent Cinema
Short Films
Documentary Films
Animation
Experimental Films
Student Films
Environmental & Climate Stories
Mountain & Adventure Cinema
Indigenous & Regional Voices

Our programming focuses on strong storytelling, human emotion, innovation, and artistic excellence.

Festival Highlights:

Film Screenings in Scenic Himalayan Venues
Opening & Closing Ceremonies
Red Carpet Evenings
Masterclasses & Workshops
Director Q&A Sessions
Film Market & Networking Sessions
Cultural Performances
Mountain Cinema Conversations
Youth Filmmaker Lab

Awards & Prizes

Dev Bhoomi International Film Festival (DBIFF) honours cinematic excellence through competitive awards including:

Best International Feature
Best Indian Feature
Best Director
Best Actor / Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Screenplay
Best Documentary
Best Short Film
Best Student Film
Jury Special Mention
Audience Choice Award

Rules & Terms

RULES & REGULATIONS

The Dev Bhoomi International Film Festival (DBIFF) invites filmmakers from India and around the world to submit films of all genres and formats completed within the last three years. The festival is not limited to spiritual or religious themes and welcomes diverse storytelling across categories including feature films, short films, documentaries, animation, student films, experimental cinema, and mountain or environmental films. Submissions must be made through the official platform with a secure online screener link, and all non-English films must include English subtitles. Submission fees, where applicable, are non-refundable. All entries will be reviewed by the festival programming committee and jury, whose decisions regarding selection and awards are final and binding. Selected films must provide a high-quality screening copy in the format specified by the festival, and the organizers reserve the right to use film stills, trailers, and brief excerpts for promotional purposes. By submitting, the applicant confirms that they hold all necessary rights and permissions for the film, including music and performance rights, and agrees that DBIFF may screen selected films during its travelling Himalayan editions and related non-commercial festival events. Participation in the festival implies full acceptance of these rules and regulations.