Search Light International Film Festival-26 is a cinema movement built on discovery. Like a searchlight cutting through darkness, the festival exists to find, reveal, and elevate films that dare to see differently—stories that question, challenge, and illuminate the unseen corners of human experience.

The idea of Search Light goes beyond screening films—it represents discovery. Discovery of new filmmakers. Discovery of unheard perspectives. Discovery of cinema that dares to look deeper rather than louder. From independent shorts and feature films to documentaries, animation, and experimental works, SLIFF-26 embraces storytelling that expands the language of cinema.

At its heart, Search Light stands for visibility. It shines on independent creators, bold narratives, cultural diversity, and cinematic risk-taking, creating a space where discovery matters more than scale, and intention matters more than noise.

In an era where algorithms decide visibility, Search Light International Film Festival-26 chooses intention. It curates films with care, respects the filmmaker’s vision, and creates a space where cinema is experienced, discussed, and remembered.

Awards & Prizes

Production Awards

Best Feature Film
Best Feature Documentary Award
Best Feature Animation Award
Best Short Film
Best Animation
Best Documentary
Best Music Video
Best Director
Best Debut Director (Feature Only)
Special Festival Mention Certificate
Honorable Jury Mention Certificate
Best Ad Film
Best Web Series

Creative Awards

Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Screenplay
Best VFX

Performance Awards

Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress

Music Awards

Best Original Music
Best Background Music

Rules & Terms

Rules and Regulations:

4th Search Light International Film Festival-2026

1. Every official selected film in SLIFF-26 will enjoy following benefits-

Promotion & Marketing:

-Listing on fest website in official selection section.
-Lifetime dedicated film page on fest website in catalogue.
-Film team video interviews will be published in Filmmaker’s Cut and promoted on social media.
-Film Pitch video will be published in Film Market and promoted among industry professionals.
-Film article in News & blog on festival website.

Film Market & Distribution:

-Miniboxoffice Film Market subscription for 03 months.
-Film Distribution, Sales, Pitching & networking opportunities.
-Personal page, project listing & future opportunities.

Recognition & Awards:

-Every submitted film will get certificate of participation.
-Every officially selected film will get Certificate of Excellence- Official Selection certificate.
-Every Award Winner will get Certificate of Excellence- Award Certificate & Trophy.
-Every festival attendee will get festival mementos.

Feedback & Criticism:

-Festival provide a unique opportunity for every filmmaker to get Jury score sheet in order to understand ‘how the movie performed in festival’ and for scope of improvement.
-Audience interaction after film screening.

Learning & Exchange

-Master Classes on various current topics & trends.
-Culture & business exchange with fellow filmmakers.

2. Eligibility, Year of production & accepted movie duration:

-Films must be subtitled in English if language is other than English and Hindi.
- Year of production: Jan-2024 onwards
- Feature Films/Feature Animation/Feature Documentary: 61 min to 180 min (more than 60 min)
- Short Film/Short Documentary/Short Animation: up-to 60 min
- Music Video: up-to 9 min & Ad Films- any duration
- Web Series: Any duration

3. Films participated in earlier editions of SLIFF are not eligible for participation in 2026.

4. SLIFF-26 stages/process:

• Entry submission as per rules & regulations.
• Notification of shortlisted regular entries by the festival office on 10 Nov 2026 & shortlisted late entries notification on 15 Nov 2026.
• Delegate registration to attend SLIFF-26. All filmmakers must have registered as delegate to attend the festival. Hospitality charges are applicable for filmmakers & attendees, which include lunch, tea/coffee with cookies & master classes.
• Festival movies screening & workshops followed by award ceremony in Mumbai on 05 Dec 2026.

5. The decision of the Jury will be final and can’t be challenged.

6. Search Light Int. Film Festival-26 does not take any type financial commitment for the expense incurred on the correspondence by the participant. All Travel, Lodging & Boarding and other miscellaneous expenses will have to be borne by the participant himself for attending the festival. No request for the same will be entertained.

7. The actual postal charges are applicable for award delivery via courier in case you are unable to attend the festival.

8. Once the film submitted can’t be withdrawn in any circumstances, however festival director reserve the rights to disqualify any film on certain grounds.

9. By submitting movie to 4th Search Light International Film Festival-26, filmmaker/producer takes the whole responsibility of copyright issues of music, script and other creative and technical aspects of film.