INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF INDIA (IFFI), GOA
FIAPF Accredited Competitive, Feature Film Festival
(20th - 28th November, 2023)

Since 1952, India has hosted 53 International Film Festival of India (IFFI) both competitive and non-competitive. The festival became an annual event from 1975 onwards. The 54th edition of the festival, which includes a competition for feature films by Directors from all Continents will be held in Goa.

The Festival is being organized by the National Film Development Corporation of India Ltd (NFDC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India in collaboration with the State Government of Goa and the Indian Film Industry.

The Festival is recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers' Associations (FIAPF) as a Competitive Feature Film Festival.

The Festival aims at providing a common platform for filmmakers of the world to project their excellence in film art; contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos; and promoting friendship and co-operation among people of the world.

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
(The Whole World is one Family)
Celebrating the Joy of Cinema

1. Objectives:

The Festival aims at providing a common platform for filmmakers of the world to project their excellence in film art; contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos; and promoting friendship and co-operation among people of the world.

2. Date and Place
The 54th edition of IFFI will be held from November 20– 28, 2023 in Goa, India

3. Festival Programmes
The festival programme is broadly divided into the following categories: -

i. International Competition for Feature Films (upto 15 numbers. Upto three Indian Films will be selected for this section. Fiction Films with a minimum duration of 70 minutes and above).

ii. Non-Competition (World Panorama) - for feature films from around the world ( Films with a minimum duration of 70 minutes and above).

iii. Country Focus & other specially curated packages (Indian & Foreign) and Special Screenings/Gala Premieres.

iv. Indian Panorama - for Indian feature films, Indian Panorama Regulations 2023 will be applicable.

v. Technical Workshops/Masterclasses/other Interactive & Academic Sessions/Panel Discussions/Talent Hub etc. both virtual and physical.

vi. Film Bazaar: IFFI also hosts the Film Bazaar, South Asia's largest and One of Asia's most prolific Film Markets showcasing rich content to potential buyers from different countries across the world.

vii. National Film Development Corporation Ltd (NFDC) reserves the right to exclude films that are not in conformity with the philosophy and objective of the festival, or which could offend the feelings/susceptibilities of any participating country, or are likely to promote discrimination of any kind.

May please note that only non-Indian films are being received through FilmFreeway. Entries for Indian films will be separately invited by Indian Panorama Section of IFFI.

The following prizes will be given away:

1. Best Film

i. A Cash prize of Rs. 40,00,000/- to be shared equally between the Director and Producer.
ii. Director to be given the Golden Peacock and a Certificate in addition to the cash component.
iii. Producer to be given a Certificate in addition to the cash component.

2. Best Director: Silver Peacock, Certificate and a cash prize of Rs.15,00,000/-

3. Best Actor (Male): Silver Peacock, Certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 10,00,000/-

4. Best Actor (Female): Silver Peacock, Certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 10,00,000/-

5. Special Jury Award: Silver Peacock, Certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 15,00,000/- given to a film (for any aspect of the film which the jury wishes to award/acknowledge) or an individual (for his/her artistic contribution to a film). The award, if given to a film, will be given to the Director of the film.

6. Award for Best Debut Feature Film of a Director

i. Silver Peacock, certificate and cash prize of Rs 10,00,000/- (To be given to a director for his/her best first feature film to recognize and encourage the most promising new directorial talent in world cinema).

ii. Out of the entries received for this category of award, seven films will be shortlisted by the jury. The festival holds the rights to consider the films that are not shortlisted for this category as entries for the World Panorama Section of the Festivals.

iii. First feature film of a director selected under Indian Panorama is also eligible for this Award. Indian film entry for Award for the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director will be identified by the Jury from the selected films for Indian Panorama 2023. Maximum of two such films can be recommended by the IFFI Film Preview & Recommendation Committee.

iv. Films entered for Award for the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director MUST fulfill the following conditions: -

iv.i. Films must be first fiction, feature length film not less than 70 minutes in duration in original language sound track with English Subtitles. Films in English need not be subtitled.

iv.ii. They must have been completed between 1st September 2022 to 31st August, 2023 (For Indian Feature Films, dates will be applicable as per Indian Panorama Regulations 2023). Eligibility will be determined by the declaration made by the entrant in the film entry form. For International films where no proof is available, the date of the first theatrical screening will be considered as completion date.

iv.iii. Except for Indian films, the entries in this section should not have been released / shown in India or presented in any other Indian Film Festivals before. Indian film entries for the award will be identified by the Jury from the debut films of Indian Panorama 2023.

iv.iv. In the case of co-productions, the entrants must comply with the article 15.3 of the Festival’s regulations and therefore have the right to sanction participation of the film for this award and also sanction the authority to receive awards, if the film wins any.

iv.v. Entrants must agree that if their film/films win the Award, all screenings thereafter will acknowledge the Award on the film itself.

iv.vi. If shortlisted for competing for this award, the entrant(s) - must provide a DCP (Non-encrypted, DCI Compliant-J2K Intrope or SMPTE in 24 fps) with EST for festival screenings - must agree that in case of winning an award they will provide the festival with a region free PAL DVD/Blu-ray copy of the film for archival purposes.

iv.vii. The winner of the award will be recommended by the International Jury of IFFI 2022 to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

7. Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Cinema

This prestigious award, instituted in the name of legendry filmmaker the Satyajit Ray, consisting of a cash prize of Rs. 10,00,000/-, certificate, shawl, Medal (Silver Peacock) and a scroll, is conferred upon a master filmmaker / film technicians / film personalities for his / her outstanding contribution to cinema. The festival every year invites a filmmaker / film technicians / film personalities of repute for this award.

8. Indian Film Personality of the Year Award

This prestigious award consisting of a cash prize of Rs 10, 00,000/-, certificate, shawl and Medal (Silver Peacock) is conferred upon an Indian film personality for his/her outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema.

9. ICFT UNESCO – Gandhi Medal Award

i. The Gandhi Medal Award is given to a film reflecting UNESCO’s fundamental mandate of building peace in the mind of men and women, particularly human rights. This award is recommended by the jury members nominated by ICFT UNESCO and the award consists of a Certificate and a medal given by ICFT UNESCO.

ii. IFFI Preview Committee recommends 8 to 10 films including Indian Films for this award.

iii. Recipients are to agree that the concerned professional will receive the award in person, if the film / he / she wins any award. National Film Development Corporation Ltd reserves the right to cancel the cash component in case of the awardees not being able to present him / her of the award ceremony on the closing night. For any reason the awardees is not able to personally attend, he or she should immediately in writing, nominate an immediate family member or from the film - it’s Producer or Director.

1. International Competition

1.1. Films entered in the International Competition MUST fulfill the following conditions:

i. Films must be fiction, feature length films not less than 70 minutes in duration in original language sound track with English Subtitles.

ii. They must have been completed between 1st September 2022 and 31st August 2023. Eligibility will be determined by the declaration made by the entrant in the film entry form. For International films where no proof is available, the date of the first theatrical screening will be considered as completion date / self declaration by the applicant.

iii. Except for Indian films, the entries in this section should not have been released / shown virtual / OTT platform / physically in India or presented in any other Indian Film Festivals before. Upto three Indian film entries in International Competition will be identified by the Indian Panorama Jury from the films for Indian Panorama 2023.

iv. In the case of co-productions, the entrants must comply with the article 15.3 of the Festival’s regulations and therefore have the right to sanction participation of the film in International Competition and also sanction the authority to receive awards, if the film wins any.

v. Entrants must agree that if their film / films win any of the Golden and / or Silver Peacock Awards, all screenings thereafter will acknowledge the Award(s) on the film itself.

1.2 . Films for International Competition will be selected by the jury. The Festival Director holds the right to consider the films that are not accepted for the International Competition as entries for the ‘World Panorama' Section. However, consent of the entrant shall be sought before selection and inclusion in the festival programme.

1.3. The competition will be held subject to the acceptance of a maximum of fifteen eligible films from different Continents/Countries. If selected for the International Competition, the entrant whose films would be awarded will be requested permission to provide the festival with a region free PAL DVD/Blu-ray of the film for archival purposes.

1.4. The Jury for the International Competition will consist of a Chairman and not less than two and not more than four other members, of which one member will be from India.

1.5. The decisions of the jury will be taken by a simple majority of the members present and voting. The jury can evolve its own rules for assessment of the entries. The Managing Director, NFDC and / or his representative can attend the jury deliberations, but shall neither participate nor vote.

1.6. No person having taken part in the production or having any commercial interest in a competitive entry may be on the jury. All members of the jury will refrain from releasing any articles or reviews to the press concerning the film submitted for their judgment until results of final selection have been formally announced at the closing function.

1.6.i. Once the film has been selected and the right holder confirms her / his agreement, film in the official programme shall not be withdrawn from the festival programme before or during the event.

1.6.ii. The National Film Development Corporation Ltd may organize screenings of the IFFI award winning films in various other festivals held under its responsibility. The right holders of IFFI award winning films will be requested permission for any screening of their film in such a framework.

2 .Non- Competition (World Panorama)

2.1. Films must be feature length films not less than 70 minutes in duration in original language soundtrack with English Subtitles. Films in English need not be subtitled.

2.2. They must have been completed after 1st September, 2022.

2.3. If selected for the World Panorama Section, the entrant(s) must provide a 35 mm print or a DCP with EST and optical sound track or originally shot on a digital format for festival screenings.

2.4. Films that have been presented in earlier editions of International Film Festival of India, or already screened in India, will be excluded, unless previously agreed to by the Managing Director NFDC, in exceptional cases.

3. Entry Deadlines

The deadline for receiving applications and preview material is 31st August 2023.

4. DVD Screeners for Selection

The Online/ Blu-ray /DVD screeners with English subtitles should reach the National Film Development Corporation Ltd, New Delhi office before the above mentioned date along with a duly completed online Entry Form (available on our website). Inscribe 'No commercial value for Cultural purposes only' on the parcel. The Festival will not bear the cost of transportation of preview material, unless upon entrant’s request and at his / her own expense.

5. Entering films in the festival

5.1. Film producers, distributors, their duly authorized representatives or duly authorized Government organization/agency of the participating countries may enter their films for the International Competition, World Panorama and Retrospectives/Tributes/Country Focus Sections in the Entry Form.

5.2. Indian Films may submit their applications through the Indian Panorama, which will be opened and advertised in all the national dailies. The same will be available on the official website of the festival (https://www/iffigoa.org or https://nfdcindia.com) as well.

5.3. Enquires for Film Bazaar may be addressed to the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

The contact address:
Director, Film Bazaar
National Film Development Corporation Discovery of India Building,
Nehru Centre, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli Mumbai- 400 018- India
Ph: 022-66288295, Fax: 022-24952262

Email- : [email protected]

5.4. National Film Development Corporation Ltd may also invite films which it considers of interest.

5.5. The Form, duly filled in, separately for each film proposed to be entered, should reach the National Film Development Corporation Ltd office by August 31st, 2023/ online entry at www.iffigoa.org. In case of the day being a holiday, the next working day will be considered as the deadline.

6. Final Screening Materials

6.1. 35mm prints / DCPs / final screening material along with a Blu-ray / DVD of the selected films for exhibition in the festival must reach the festival Office in Goa on or before 15th October, 2023. It should only be sent through the official freight handlers of the festival, as per the instructions given by the festival print unit.

6.2. Arrangements have been made for special express clearance of film consignments addressed to the National Film Development Corporation Ltd through the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Government of India. National Film Development Corporation Ltd will not be responsible for any repercussions arising from deviation of the print dispatch instructions issued by the print unit.

6.3. After conclusion of the festival, the final screening materials shall be returned through air-freight or diplomatic channels, as per specific written instructions received from the film right holder. The festival would bear only one-way freight. Wherever previously agreed upon by the festival, the festival will also be undertaking the actual cost of return freight charges (both ways) but will not be liable for payment of customs, duties, freight handler's fees etc., outside India. It will be borne solely by the film recipient.

7. Insurance

The Insurance of prints in transit from the country of origin to the National Film Development Corporation Ltd and from the National Film Development Corporation Ltd to the country of origin will be the responsibility of the entrant. The National Film Development Corporation Ltd will insure the prints against damage, partial and total, by fire, theft or any other unnatural causes from the moment it takes delivery of the prints to the moment it hands them back to the concerned airline / agency for dispatch, in conformity with Addendum 1 of the FIAPF Regulations for International Film Festivals. Technical complaints regarding the returned screening copy must be reported to the festival in writing with in 5 days after being received.

8. Freight and Other Charges

8.1. The prints and DVD's should be sent "freight pre-paid" i.e. at senders cost. After the Festival, the prints will be returned to the senders by air freight at the cost of the National Film Development Corporation Ltd

8.2. The National Film Development Corporation Ltd will not pay any charges other than the air- freight charges. It may also be noted that the National Film Development Corporation Ltd cannot reimburse any freight or other charges in foreign currency, unless previously agreed to in writing.

8.3. The National Film Development Corporation Ltd will not bear freight or any other charges for unsolicited films, Videos, DVDs sent to it, if these are not selected for screening in the Festival.

9. Subtitling

Films will only be screened in their original language/version with English Subtitles. Non English films without English subtitles will not be screened at the festival and they will also not be electronically subtitled by the Festival.

10. Screening

10.1. All film screening at IFFI would either be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification, India or have obtained exemption under Section 9 of Cinematograph Act, 1952.

10.2. The accepted film will not be shown outside the Festival city by the National Film Development Corporation Ltd, without written consent of the right holder.

10.3. The Festival proposes to have a maximum of five screenings per selected films as per FIAPF Regulations for International Film festivals and for the competitive specialized festivals which allow for a maximum of five screenings per film.

10.4. Excerpts for Television

For promotion of films entered in the Festival on television, producers/authorized entrants are requested to supply four excerpts of the film(s) entered, each of a maximum of three minutes, to the National Film Development Corporation Ltd. High Resolution uncompressed video of the same may be sent in a DVD format.

11. General

11.1. Classroom and advertising films are not eligible for participation in any section.

11.2. Final screening material must comply with technical standards specified by SMPTE for screening at International Film Festivals. National Film Development Corporation Ltd reserves the right to refuse screening if found otherwise.

11.3. The participants must ensure that they have the right to participate in the International Film Festival of India with regard to parties connected with the production /distribution of the participating film and /or other right holders/licenses.

11.4. Participation in the Festival implies acceptance of these Regulations.

11.5. According to the FIAPF Regulations for International Film Festivals applicable in 2022, the Festival acknowledges that each film will be screened no more than 5 times. Additional screening(s) are agreed by the producer or his / her duly empowered representative in the form of a written authorization in line with the Addendum 3 of the FIAPF Regulations.

11.6. The Managing Director, National Film Development Corporation Ltd will decide all matters not expressly provided for in these regulations but in conformity with the provisions of the International Regulations for film festivals and his decisions shall be final and binding on all Parties.

For any queries or clarifications, please contact:
Prateek Rawat
Film Programmer - International Cinema
Email: [email protected], [email protected]