Ooty Short Film Festival 2025 (7)

Festival start: 26 December 2025      Festival end: 28 December 2025

7th Ooty Short Film Festival (Ooty SFF)
December 26-28, 2025

The Nilgiris Film Club (NFC) is thrilled to announce the 7th edition of the Ooty Short Film Festival (Ooty SFF), scheduled to take place from December 26th to 28th, 2025. We cordially invite filmmakers from across the globe to join us in celebrating the art of independent short films in the picturesque mountains of the Western Ghats.

About the Festival

Since its inception, Ooty SFF has grown into a vibrant platform for showcasing exceptional short films. Our carefully curated sections feature some of the most remarkable experimental and artist-made short films, ensuring a diverse and inspiring cinematic journey for all attendees.

In 2025, we are excited to introduce a new initiative: Citizen Jury, A citizen jury at our short film festival evaluates films from a public perspective, offering a crucial non-industry viewpoint.

Our Vision

At Ooty SFF, we strive to curate a program that embodies unique and original artistic visions. Our focus is on short films that boldly push the boundaries of both form and concept, opening up numerous avenues for interpretation and understanding.

We have a special interest in works by emerging filmmakers and artist-made shorts, believing that these voices bring fresh and innovative perspectives to the cinematic landscape.

Opportunities for Filmmakers

Ooty SFF is more than just a screening platform. We provide filmmakers with:

A platform to share their work with a discerning audience

Exposure to diverse filmmaking styles and narratives

Opportunities to be part of a growing community of independent filmmakers
Recognition through our Golden Elephant Awards for Indian filmmakers and digital awards (NFTs) for international filmmakers, ensuring both physical and modern digital forms of recognition

Submit Your Film

We welcome submissions from filmmakers of all backgrounds and experiences. If you have a short film that challenges conventions, explores new territories, or tells a compelling story in an innovative way, we want to see it!

Join us for the 7th Ooty Short Film Festival and be part of a celebration of cinematic creativity in the heart of the Nilgiris.

The Ooty Short Film Festival is produced by the NilgirisNext Foundation for Arts & Culture (NXF), formerly known as Nilgiris Film Club (NFC).

Awards at the Festival

The Golden Elephant Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in filmmaking, with distinct categories for both Indian and international filmmakers, each tailored to honor their unique contributions in meaningful ways.

For Indian Short Films:

The Golden Elephant Awards recognize exceptional talent within Indian short films, with winners in the following categories:

Best Film
Best Director
Best Performer

Winners will receive:

A Golden Elephant Trophy, a prestigious physical award symbolizing their cinematic achievements.

A Certificate of Excellence, commemorating their contribution to Indian cinema.
Additionally, festival laurels will be provided to the winners, which can be proudly displayed on film posters, trailers, and social media to enhance the film’s credibility and recognition.

For International Short Films:

International filmmakers will be honored through innovative digital awards, reflecting the festival's commitment to modernity and inclusivity. These awards provide verifiable and enduring recognition, celebrating the filmmakers' global impact.

Award Categories:

Best International Film
Best International Director
Best International Performer

International Award Package:

NFT Award: A custom-designed digital trophy, minted as an NFT (Non-Fungible Token), representing the international award category. This unique and collectible digital asset will be a lasting and verifiable token of the filmmaker's achievement, enhancing their portfolio in the digital era.

Digital Certificate: A beautifully designed certificate recognizing the winner’s excellence. Fully shareable and downloadable, it can be prominently displayed on the filmmaker’s website, social media, or promotional materials.

Film Laurels: Winning international filmmakers will also receive festival laurels, which they can display on their film posters, trailers, and across digital platforms, further adding prestige and credibility to their work.

Final Round and Screening:

The final round will showcase all selected Indian and international films, screened in front of the curator, jury, and a selected audience. Following the screenings, the winners will be announced, and the respective awards will be presented:

Golden Elephant Trophies for Indian filmmakers.
Digital Awards (NFT and certificates) for international filmmakers.

Eligibility Criteria:

Completion Date: Films must have been completed after January 1, 2023, to qualify for submission.

Duration: Only films with a runtime of 30 minutes or less, including credits, will be considered.

Types of Films: We welcome all forms of short fiction, including experimental shorts, animations, avant-garde, and poetry films.

Submission Limit: Each director can submit only one film for consideration.

Excluded Film Types: Please note that industrial and commercial films are not eligible for submission.

General Rules:

Submission Formats: If your film is selected, you will need to provide a high-quality digital file in one of the following formats: mov, avi, mpg, h264, pro-res, or Blu-ray DVD/DCP.

Submission Deadline: If your film is selected, a high-quality digital file must be submitted by November 15, 2025. If the selected movies' screening copy isn't submitted before this deadline, it automatically becomes ineligible for screening and shall not be screened at the festival.

Promotion: Selected films may be featured online or in promotional materials. This includes the use of excerpts, trailers, and stills.

Legal Authority: By submitting your film, you confirm that you hold all necessary rights for its public screening and that you authorize the festival to use your film for its intended purpose.

Agreement to Rules: Submission implies acceptance of all festival rules and regulations. In the event of a dispute, the festival's decisions are final.

Liability:

Copyright Responsibility: You are responsible for securing and maintaining all copyrights related to your film. This includes rights for sound, visuals, and any other content.

Rights Assurance: Ensure that all necessary rights are secured before submission. The festival is not liable for any copyright infringements.

Ownership: All copyrights remain with the filmmaker.

Liability Disclaimer: While we handle all submissions with care, the festival is not responsible for any damage or loss during the submission and screening process.

Cultural Objectives: As a non-profit organization, the Ooty Short Film Festival uses submitted works solely to further its cultural mission and enhance the community's appreciation of diverse cinematic expressions.