Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) is delighted to introduce the 15th edition of International Inter-University Short Film Festival (IIUSFF).

In 2007, a handful of film activists ventured to launch the first international platform for university-going filmmakers in Bangladesh with a view to bridging the gap between homegrown and international student filmmakers – a tireless pursuit that resulted in the consolidation of this globally recognized film festival over the course of the last fourteen successful editions.

With the slogan, “Take Your Camera, Frame Your Dream.” IIUSFF has evolved into a platform where myriad diverse, young voices from across the world are heard, platformed and elevated today.

Calling all student filmmakers with compelling stories to share. Let us bring your stories to the big screen and present them to a global audience.

Submission Deadline: August 16, 2023 - October 10, 2023.

Submission Categories:

Competition: In this category, short films under 15 minutes will be eligible to compete for awards.

Panorama: In this category, short films over 15 minutes are received and will be eligible for screening; however, they will not qualify for competition.

One Minute Short: This category receives short films with a duration of one minute or less.

One Earth Short Film: This category, introduced for the first time in the 15th edition of IIUSFF, is dedicated to raising awareness about the pressing issue of climate change through youth filmmaking, encompassing live-action, animation, and documentary formats. The goal is to platform a variety of stories of resilience and crises in the context of climate change from around the world.

Zahir Raihan Best Short Award: Including a crest, certificate and a prize money of 300 USD, this award is given to the director of the best short film of the festival.

Tareque Masud Best Emerging Director Award: Including a crest, certificate and a prize money of 200 USD, this award is given to a Bangladeshi student filmmaker for his exemplary short film.

Best One Minute Short: Among the short films submitted under the One Minute Short category, the best film will be awarded this title, along with a crest, certificate and a prize money of 200 USD.

One Earth Short Film: The winner of this category will receive a crest, certificate and a prize money of 200 USD and runner-up will get 100 USD respectively. The selected top 50 short films under this category will be both nationally and internationally screened for a wider audience.

Honorable Mentions: The following titles apply to the short films submitted in the Competition, Panorama, One-minute Short and One Earth Short Film categories:

-Best Sound
-Best Editing
-Best Cinematography
-Best Screenplay
-Best Documentary
-Best Animation

1. By submitting a Film, the entrant ensures that he or she has obtained consent from any and all owners, creators, writers, producers, and/or other authorized representatives of the film and has read, understood, and agreed to the Terms.

2. The entrant has to be an undergraduate student or postgraduate student, currently enrolled in a University/College. Those who have completed their undergraduate studies within the previous 2 years (which means those who have completed their undergraduate studies by August 16, 2021) are also eligible.

3. By submitting the film to IIUSFF 2023, the applicant and copyright owners hereby warrant and represent that the film is wholly original and is not copied from and does not include any other work that is the subject of copyright or other protection unless such work is in the public domain or the Submitting parties have obtained any and all consents, releases, licenses and we the festival team take no responsibility in this matter.

4. The submitted film must not defame any person or violate the common law or statutory rights, including, without limitation, the rights of privacy and publicity or any other right of any person.

5. Films previously submitted to any edition of the International Inter-University Short Film Festival are not eligible.

6. There are no restrictions on the theme, topic, or genre.

7. There is no submission fee to submit films in any categories.

8. Any single entrant can submit a maximum of two films in each category.

9. Submitted films must not be made available in any open access streaming site (e.g.- YouTube, Facebook) during the competition period.

10. For promotional purposes, the selected short films (whole or partly) might be published in online platforms ONLY by the Festival Authority with the participant's consent.

11. Films earlier screened in other festivals (in any country) are eligible. The entrant has to mention the names of the festivals where the film has been screened.

12. All accepted films may be screened more than once, and are scheduled at the discretion of the festival authority.

13. All entries must submit embedded English subtitles with the film. Dialogue lists are
not accepted.

14. The festival authority may accept late submissions at its sole and absolute discretion.

15. By submitting their films in this festival, entrants allow the screening rights to Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) and it's festival partners. Selected films will be screened in public sessions where DUFS and the partners holds the right to screen the films in selected festival venues.

16. The IIUSFF authority reserves the right to rule in its sole discretion, on cases and situations not foreseen by these Terms.

17. The festival authority reserves the right to disqualify any submission if they notice any violation of the terms and conditions. They can ask for proof of studentship and authenticity anytime.

18. Please keep us informed of any changes regarding your contact information by emailing festival.iiusff@gmail.com

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
September 30, 2023

OTHERS:

After completing the registration process (via FilmFreeway or Google Forms or physical appearance), we will cross-check your status and send a confirmation email shortly.

After the Judgment procedure, we will announce the list of Officially Selected short films.

Renowned film society activists, film personalities, film scholars, film activists and filmmakers from Bangladesh and other countries will be the honorable judges of the
resulting shortlist.

The Top Official Selections will be published by October 10, 2023

The Top Official Selections from all categories will be screened in several festival venues across the country and overseas.

IIUSFF Talents: Top shortlisted Participants will get a free entrance to attend the talent campus session conducted by renowned filmmakers and film personnel to sharpen their skills to frame their dreams in the future. Includes certificate.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • The festival's communication methods were exceptionally effective, allowing me to feel fully immersed in the event as if I were physically present. Wishing you the best of luck for your next edition!

    March 2024
  • I won an award but have not recieved the money nor sculpture award and they have become unresponsive... I have sent them the info for money transfer as they asked for, for the sculpture they said they cant send it but can bring it to my country's embassy... After I emailed, called and texted multiple times on all their contacts and socials they still failed to respond for 4months and/or inform me if the statue was now at the embassy (nor any information about any part of the award I was supposed to get)... I tried to be patient so I could give a good review but at this point I can't act like everything is as it should be

    March 2024
  • Good festival for student filmmakers across the globe. Thank you for the selection of my film A Crowd.

    December 2023
  • Ayesha Fahim

    Thankyou so much for choosing us! It's been a pleasure
    Regards from Pakistan!

    December 2023
  • We received no contact from this festival even though we were selected
    We hope you organize and mange to send an email in these cases

    December 2023