Golden Lion international film festival not only aims at giving out trophies and certificates but recognizing talents and supporting the career of artists working in the film industry as writers, directors, producers, actors, cinematographers, editors, composers etc. As we are in the process of expanding our footprints, the festival would be truly a international platform for all filmmakers beyond language barriers across the globe. We truly care about the language of cinema, independent filmmaking, filmmakers, arts and all the artists involved in each film project.

Golden Lion International Film Festival is a IMDb Awards Qualifier Festival.monthly Awards with IMDb recognition in short film, feature film, documentary,music, animation and screenwriting. showcases an outstanding presentation of independent filmmaking, while also building a strong sense of community around the art of visual storytelling.

GOLDEN LION INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL honors films from around the world with prestigious gliff Award in different categories and genres. Our mission is to discover diverse new voices & to promote artists’ work through numerous platforms.

In each edition, Filmmakers can submit their projects to have them judged by award winning industry professionals against a high standard of merit and compete with other filmmakers across the globe. Every submission can add numerous additional judging categories, but MUST submit to a MAIN CATEGORY to be considered for additional consideration. Please include the names being credited in your cover letter.

Awards & Prizes

🏆INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES (Monthly Award)
Winner of each month receives the GLIFF laurel,congratulations letter, certificate, IMDb recognition and the winner Trophy of gliff Award is also available for monthly winners.

Besides the BEST OF THE CATEGORY AWARDS, there are also OUTSTANDING CINEMATIC AWARDS, CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS, AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS and HONOURABLE MENTION AWARDS, which are given, in all categories.

🏆INDIAN CATEGORIES (Monthly Award)
Winner of each month receives the GLIFF laurel, The winner Trophy of gliff Award is also available for monthly winners.

Besides the BEST OF THE CATEGORY AWARDS, there are also OUTSTANDING CINEMATIC AWARDS, CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS, AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS and HONOURABLE MENTION AWARDS, which are given, in all categories.

Rules & Terms

Please read these Rules & Terms carefully before you submit your film. By submitting your film into competition in the GOLDEN LION INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, you expressly acknowledge and agree that you shall be bound by the terms of these Rules & Terms.

GLIFF is open to any film completed after January 1, 2010, regardless of content, subject, or origin. Submitting your film to the GLIFF is not a guarantee of selection. All the official selection, nominees and the winners will be listed on our website permanently. All the winning films will receive laurel,congratulations letter, certificate and Trophy is also available for winners. Please note that we do not offer application fee waivers. We treat every filmmaker equally.

Films made in languages other than English must have English subtitles otherwise they will be summarily rejected.
The film submitted to the GLIFF for a particular month can be re-submitted at any time for a second chance, considering that we have different judges’ panels for each season.
A director / producer may submit more than one film in a category and more than one category at a time.The GLIFF reserves the right to refuse entries.The GLIFF will not refund any fees if the filmmaker fails to submit the film in the correct category. Films submitted without the correct fees or proper submission media may be deemed ineligible at the discretion of the GLIFF programming director or executive director. The festival does not cover any of the expenses incurred by the filmmaker.
After a film has been an official selection, the filmmaker will be notified, and eventually the film will be listed on the festival website under Official Selections. The Official Selection status doesn’t mean that your film will be screened at the festival. It means that your film has been appreciated by our judges and you can use the festival logo on your poster.
A nominee will be privately screened for the GLIFF judging panel, and will not be screened initially to the public.
“Best” films of each category will receive a laurel,certificate and Congratulations letter.
A filmmaker’s submission fee will not be reimbursed if they decide to withdraw their submission. All entry fees are non-refundable.

Free submission for bengali film category only, bengali film category submission acceptable only for West Bengal filmmakers.

Bengali film submissions will be accepted from January to September every year and the annual award ceremony will be held in the month of December every year.

Please select the correct category while submitting to avoid disqualification. We reserve the right to re-assign films to the appropriate category.
GLIFF may without advance notice amend these Rules & Terms from time to time. Each and every such amendment shall become effective immediately. It is your responsibility to periodically check for updates of these Rules & Terms.
284 Reviews
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  • Stanislav Skricka

    I am grateful to the festival team for selecting and awarding my film. Although I could not attend in person, my experience with the festival was very positive. Communication was clear and professional, and I truly appreciate the support for independent cinema. Thank you for this recognition, and I wish the festival all the best in future editions.

    June 2026
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  • Shariq Khan

    My name is Shariq Ali Khan, writer of Between The Trees. I was honoured to receive the Best Screenplay Award at the Golden Lion International Film Festival in February 2026.

    After winning the award, I requested the festival to send my trophy and paid the required amount for the same. However, despite sending multiple emails and patiently waiting for several months, I have neither received the trophy nor received any proper response or update from the festival team.

    As a filmmaker, I believe communication and professionalism are extremely important. Winning an award should be a memorable experience, but the lack of response and transparency regarding the trophy has been very disappointing.

    I hope the Golden Lion International Film Festival addresses this matter, improves its communication with filmmakers, and fulfils its commitments to its award winners.

    — Shariq Ali Khan
    Writer, Between The Trees

    June 2026
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  • Publio César de la Vega García

    My experience at this festival has been terrific. I'm looking forward to having new work to present. Thank you so much for everything. Hugs, friends.

    May 2026
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  • RASHMI JETA

    One of the finest film festivals which deserves to be appreciated I am honoured to be a part of this. My film The Damoh Files received an award and I am thankful to the jury and organisers.

    May 2026
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  • Brian Spatz

    I am honored the Golden Lion International Film Festival awarded both of my scripts "Miyagi" and "The Disappearance Of... Dorothy Arnold" Best Short Script/Screenplay. Thank you so much. I look forward to entering again in the future.

    May 2026
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