ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
1. Submissions under all categories should adhere to time/duration restrictions as mentioned:
Narrative feature: Over 60 minutes
Narrative shorts: Under 30 minutes
Documentaries: Over 30 minutes
*No runtime restrictions for national productions (feature)
2. Films completed before 1st January 2025 will not qualify for festival selection. Films that have already been screened at past iterations of NIFF will also not qualify.
3. Submitted films under all competition segments must have English subtitles in them
4. All entries should adhere to the following video and audio format for the submission:
Video Container: MP4, MOV (for submission, preview), DCP for festival screening
Resolution: 1920 X 1080 or higher
Video Codec: h.264, PRORES
Audio: 2.0 Stereo, 5.1 surround
*Audio / Video formats for the festival screening will be communicated post-selection
5. Selection Committee will prioritize fresh projects with at least a Nepal Premiere status by festival date
FESTIVAL RULES:
Before submitting:
1. The film should be submitted as per the eligibility requirements. Films violating the eligibility requirements will be rejected.
2. All submissions (national/international) must be made via the online platform www.filmfreeway.com/niff2027. All associated submission fees, as mentioned, need to be paid to complete your submission.
3. All submissions must be made before the extended (final) deadline of 15th December 2026. All films submitted later than the extended deadline will be rejected.
After submitting:
1. The selection process will officially start once the submissions start rolling in. Finalists / selected films will be announced on 1st January 2027.
2. The NIFF 2027 selection committee and programmers will have full jurisdiction for the final selection. NIFF 2027 is not liable for any films that are rejected.
3. NIFF 2027 will request any official film materials/information not provided by the applicant at the time of the submission after selection. All missing materials/information, including the festival screener (DCP for final screening) for the selected film, must be submitted to the NIFF 2027 programmers before 31st January 2027. Failure to do this will result in the rejection of the selected films.
NOTE: All selected films must ensure the delivery of the following information relating to said films before 31st January 2027:
a. Full press kit/info kit (must include a synopsis, posters, credits, director’s bio, statement and pictures, trailer/teaser, previous awards and accolades, and any other additional information relevant to the film)
b. A DCP screener can be mailed physically or sent over the Internet.
For mail: P.O. BOX 7335, General Post Office, Dillibazaar, Kathmandu, Nepal
4. NIFF 2026 will securely archive all films received and not use them in any commercial or non-commercial venture except for screening during the 2027 festival. NIFF may also utilize the provided film info/materials for promotional works in NIFF 2027. Promotions may involve being shared over social media, printed at the festival venue, or cited/utilized by the media in relation to screening at the festival.
5. All applicants should agree that once films are selected and the selection published, they will be screened to a live audience in Kathmandu Valley. Applicants should also agree that selected films will be screened at more than one venue during the festival's duration.
6. NIFF has no policy to pay screening fees for selected films.
7. By submitting their films, applicants agree to all the rules and criteria mentioned above and agree to remain bound.
