The Calcutta Indie International Film Festival(CIIFF) is a prestigious, IMDb-qualifying festival in the heart of Kolkata, India, you will have the opportunity to register your project on our IMDb website: https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0073327/overview/ . Submit today for an opportunity to become an Award Winning Filmmaker on #IMDb!

A primary objective of CIIFF is to create a common platform for filmmakers around the world to showcase their excellence in film; to promote friendship and cooperation among people around the world, and to facilitate the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations within the context of their social and cultural ethos.

The Calcutta Indie International Film Festival (CIIFF) provides an international platform for association, showcase, new creations, new ideas, and new talent.

In addition to organizing annual honor services awards, CIIFF also builds a dynamic organization devoted to independent filmmakers around the globe that keeps growing and developing. By displaying the works of filmmakers on a global platform, we help them develop their profession in this profoundly creative field.

The Calcutta Indie International Film Festival is an exceptionally lofty film celebration that focuses on empowering and finding new free abilities, supporting visionary films, and uniting all facets of film production and storytelling, including fiction, factual stories, movements, television arrangements, and contents. As a film production and narrative agency, we offer a wide range of film categories, ranging from drama to documentaries.

CIIFF is committed to supporting independent filmmakers and is looking for solid story-based entries. CIIFF is dedicated to promoting mindfulness, appreciation and comprehension of all kinds of film. Our mission is to showcase the most extraordinary movies from all over the world. We select movies and activities based on their quality and creativity. Our commitment to movies from all over the world is our greatest strength.

CIIFF is an International Film Festival that showcases feature films, documentaries, and short films Television shows, documentaries, animated shorts, and scripts etc. Various independent films and initiatives from around the world are likely to be featured, as well as Grant Awards going to the best candidates. We are a solid ally of new talent and striking ideas that makes Calcutta Indie International Film Festival special. Our way of dealing with creative geniuses and systems is what makes CIIFF special. In our celebration, we celebrate art, culture, beliefs, creativity, origins, and growth from all over the world. During the Calcutta Indie International Film Festival, filmmakers will have a chance to screen their work and interact with the public. In addition to highlighting amazing stories, we also recognize extraordinary filmmakers.

As part of the monthly film festival, the final event will take place in Kolkata, the City of Joy.

Awards & Prizes

We proudly announce all our Categories.
Your project might become a multi-award-winning film!.

Categories:
Best Music Video
Best Singer
Best Music Video Producer
Best Music Video Director
Best Music Video Cinematography
Best Music Video Editing
Best Music Video Choreography
Best Music Video Production Design
Best Music Video Concept
Best Web Series
Best VR/AR/360Degree Film
Best Short Film
Best Indie Short Film
Best Documentary Short Film
Best Animation Short Film
Best Experimental Short Film
Best First Time Director(Male) Short Film
Best Silent Short Film
Best Women’s Short Film
Best Producer Short Film
Best Emerging Filmmaker Short Film
Best Male Filmmaker Short Film
Best Female Filmmaker Short Film
Best Student Director(Male) Short Film
Best First Time Director(Female) Short Film
Best Student Director(Female) Short Film
Best Actor Short Film
Best Actress Short Film
Best Cinematography Short Film
Best Editing Short Film
Best Sound Design Short Film
Best Original Concept Short Film
Best Mystery Short Film
Best Human Rights Short Films
Best Thriller Short Film
Best Horror Short Film
Best Screenplay Short Film
Best Screenwriting Short Film
Best Sci-Fi Short Film
Best Romantic Short Film
Best Comedy Short Film
Best Dark Comedy Short Film
Best Social Message Short Film
Best Original Score Film
Best Crime Short Film
Best LGBTQ Short Film
Best Silent Short Film
Best Educational Short Film
Best Travel Short Film
Best Wildlife Short Film
Best Nature Short Film
Best Black & White Short Film
Best Sports Short Film
Best Action Short Film
Best War Short Film
Best Women Empowerment Short Film
Best Environment Short Film
Best Erotic Short Film
Best Dance Short Film
Best Inspirational Short Film
Best Background Score Short Film
Best TV Script
Best Script Short Film
Best Student Short Film
Best Student Documentary Short Film
Best Student Experimental Short Film
Best Student Animation Short Film
Best Production Design Short Film
Best Costume Design Short Film
Best Makeup and Hairstyling Short Film

Best Feature Film
Best Documentary Film
Best Screenplay
Best Indie Film
Best Experimental Film
Best Animation Film
Best Silent Film
Best Women’s Film
Best Screenwriting
Best Emerging Filmmaker Film
Best Male Filmmaker Film
Best Female Filmmaker Film
Best First Time Director(Male) Film
Best First Time Director(Female) Film
Best Student Director(Male)
Best Student Director(Female)
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor Film
Best Supporting Actress Film
Best Original Song Film
Best Makeup and Hairstyling Film
Best Original Concept Film
Best Screenwriting Film
Best Horror Film
Best Comedy Film
Best Dark Comedy Film
Best Social Message Film
Best Romantic Film
Best Sci-Fi Film
Best LGBTQ Film
Best Crime Film
Best Wildlife Film
Best Nature Film
Best Silent Film
Best Environment Film
Best Travel Film
Best Educational Film
Best War Film
Best Erotic Film
Best Action Film
Best Black & White Film
Best Sports Film
Best Women Empowerment Film
Best Human Rights Films
Best Mystery Film
Best Thriller Film
Best Dance Film
Best Inspirational Film
Best Visual Effects Film
Best Choreographer Film
Best Script Film
Best Producer
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Production Design Film
Best Costume Design Film
Best Background Score
Best Makeup and Hairstyling Film
Best Sound Design
Best Student Documentary Film
Best Student Film
Best Student Animation Film
Best Student Experimental Film

All entries are promoted through our social media and website with a featured page with a synopsis, film stills and trailer.
For this purpose, we recommend that projects must be fully entered on FilmFreeway, including film stills, production pictures, downloadable poster, and trailer or teaser.

All projects officially selected in each season receive The Calcutta Indie International Film Festival laurel and a custom digital certificate. Some of the award-winning films are screened at the Mentioned Venue, and their crews are invited to attend and participate in a public Q&A of CIIFF.

Finally, the most competitive films are invited to join our Annual Live Screening Events.

ANNUAL AWARDS:

Based on the highest rates, the pools of monthly CIIFF given during the annual cycle are eligible for nominations for the annual awards. Our judges’ committee can decide to nominate other award-winning or finalists projects.

Our judges' committee can decide to nominate other award-winning or finalists projects. All annual nominees are screened also at the Russian House in Kolkata, Gorky Sadan (Venue can be changed by our authority), during the annual event, which follows the traditional format of annual festivals. At the annual events, award winners will also receive CIIFF Awards official trophy. These trophies can be ordered by any award winner from the monthly rounds.
Judges gives scores based on the quality and creativity of entries on a performance scale and winning entries are recognized and awarded monthly at four levels. It can be also given by Honorable Mentions and Outstanding Achievement Awards (special jury mentions).
At the annual events, award winners will also receive The Calcutta Indie International Film Festival Awards official trophy. These trophies can be ordered by any award winner from the monthly rounds.

Rules & Terms

In order to submit a film, you must own the rights or have permission from the owner.
All films must have English language subtitles.
Multiple entries from the same submitter are accepted, but a separate submission and a separate entry fee must accompany each entry.
No fee waiver.
All entry fees are non-refundable.
The decision of the jury committee will be final.
Any Foreign film that is not in English must have English subtitles.
A DCP/MOV/MP4 copy of the film is required for the annual gala screening.
Not all submissions are selected for the official competition. Our Judges are free to make their own choices and no answers will be given about not selected films.
Filmmakers can submit the film in multiple categories in order to become multi-award film. Our Team may suggest the categories that are more suitable for the film to apply. Still, the decision about the selection is strictly determined by our judges’ team and no selection is guaranteed.
CIIFF can consider any film to be disqualified if the festival considers the content inappropriate.
CIIFF will not be responsible for damaged copies.
CIIFF reserves the right to change or re-schedule the dates, venue, awards & categories without consent or information to contestants.
The organizers reserve the right not to award any or all of the prizes.
By submitting, you agree that you own all copyrights and intellectual properties to your work.
We reserve the right to use any part of your submission for promotional purposes on our website and social media accounts.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT:
1. Amateur videos.
2. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations.
3. Projects involving politics/films promoting political agenda.
4. Pornography.
5. Films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles for non-English films, poor resolution).

DISCLAIMER:

(i) CIIFF any resemblance to other events is purely coincidental. We do not represent or can be represented by any other organization.
(ii) Also, we do not disclose any kind of information with third parties.
(iii) The applicants (submitters) must accept The Calcutta Indie International Film Festival’s Rules and Terms.
(iv) Finally, please be aware that we do not ask for or accept any kind of donations.
The Calcutta Indie International Film Festival 2023 © All Rights Reserved.

17 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Luca Caserta

    An excellent experience at the Calcutta Indie International Film Festival. As a high-quality platform for independent cinema, it provided a professional and well-managed environment for my film. I'm honored that the Jury recognized "The Reach" (based on the short story by Stephen King) with the Best Short Film award. Great communication and impeccable management throughout. Highly recommended for filmmakers seeking professional recognition.

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for this, Luca. It’s always lovely to hear that people enjoyed the festival and found value in the experience. Take care, and best of luck.

  • Giuseppe Ivan David Di Giorgio

    A beautiful film festival, full of culture and hospitality. Thank you for awarding my film.

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, David. We greatly valued the online festival and are thankful for your dedication in helping it flourish.

  • Isaac Middleton

    Working with the Calcutta Indie International Film Festival was a truly memorable experience. The team’s professionalism and expertise were evident from the very beginning. They treated us—and our film—with genuine respect, making us feel that our work and our presence really mattered. It was clear they understood the commitment and passion that went into our project, and their attention to detail was exceptional. Thanks to their dedication, we felt like A-list filmmakers every step of the way. On behalf of myself and my team, thank you for making us feel so welcome and for delivering such an outstanding experience.

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words, Isaac! Thank you for submitting to the festival, we look forward to seeing even more of your work!

  • Olga and Andrii Andreiev

    Amazing festival!!. It was an honor for me to take part in this festival! A wonderful experience, I look forward to the next one. Excellent communication, clearly run by professionals! Highly recommend it. Congratulations to all festival team.

    March 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Olga and Andrii, for your wonderful words. We’re truly honored that you were part of the festival and grateful for your kind feedback. It means a lot to our team. We look forward to welcoming you again at the next one!

  • Deep C.

    We're glad you liked our film, Stalker! We are so honored to receive the award for Best Short Film by the Calcutta Indie International Film Festival. What a wonderful festival!

    March 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, again, Deep. We’re truly glad you enjoyed Stalker. It means a great deal to us, especially coming from such a wonderful festival.