Festival start: 15 January 2026
Festival end: 20 September 2026
India’s rich artistic and cultural heritage has always found a powerful voice through cinema. As a universal language, film connects cultures, preserves stories, and inspires generations across the world.
HIFA International Film Awards (HIFA), launched in 2026, is an international platform dedicated to celebrating cinematic excellence and discovering new voices in global cinema. The festival brings together filmmakers, film professionals, critics, students, and cinema lovers from around the world to honor creativity, storytelling, and innovation.
HIFA supports independent and emerging filmmakers by providing recognition, visibility, and opportunities for cultural exchange. Along with film screenings, the festival features discussions, workshops, and masterclasses focused on filmmaking and film appreciation.
We invite the global film community to be part of HIFA International Film Awards and celebrate the art of cinema beyond boundaries.
HIFA International Film Awards (HIFA) honors outstanding cinematic achievement across diverse formats and storytelling platforms. Selected films will be recognized with Official Selection Laurels, while winners will receive award trophies, digital certificates and laurels.
Awards are presented in the following categories:
Feature Film Awards
1. Best Feature Film – Indian
2. Best Feature Film – Foreign
3. Best Director – Feature Film (Indian)
4. Best Actor – Feature Film (Indian)
5. Best Actress – Feature Film (Indian)
6. Best Director – Feature Film (Foreign)
7. Best Actor – Feature Film (Foreign)
8. Best Actress – Feature Film (Foreign)
Documentary Film Awards
1. Best Long Documentary Film
2. Best Short Documentary Film
Short Films Awards
1. Best Long Short Film – Indian
2. Best Long Short Film – Foreign
3. Best Director – Long Short Film (Indian)
4. Best Director – Long Short Film (Foreign)
5. Best Actor – Long Short Film (Indian)
6. Best Actor – Long Short Film (Foreign)
7. Best Actress – Long Short Film (Indian)
8. Best Actress – Long Short Film (Foreign)
1. Best Short Film – Indian
2. Best Short Film – Foreign
3. Best Director – Short Film (Indian)
4. Best Director – Short Film (Foreign)
5. Best Actor – Short Film (Indian)
6. Best Actor – Short Film (Foreign)
7. Best Actress – Short Film (Indian)
8. Best Actress – Short Film (Foreign)
Student Films
1. Best Student Film – Indian
2. Best Student Film – Foreign
3. Best Director - Student Film Indian
4. Best Director - Student Film Foreign
Music Videos & Animation
1. Best Music Video Album
2. Best Feature-Length Animation Film
3. Best Short Animation Film
Official Selection & Winner Recognition
1. All officially selected entries will receive an Official Selection Digital Laurel
2. Award winners will Honoured with Winner Trophies, Laurel and Digital Certificate.
HIFA International Film Awards 2026 – Submission Guidelines & Terms
The HIFA International Film Awards (HIFA) will be held from 19 to 20 September 2026. All participants are requested to carefully read and follow the guidelines mentioned below before submitting their Entries.
1. Eligibility to Apply
Submissions are open to filmmakers from all backgrounds and regions worldwide. Whether you are an independent creator, student, Film Institutes, University or professional. HIFA values creativity and storytelling over geography or scale.
2. Film Completion Date
Only films completed on or after 1 January 2023 are eligible for submission.
3. Mandatory English Subtitles
All submitted films must include English subtitles. Entries without subtitles may be rejected without review.
4. Multiple Submissions
Filmmakers may submit more than one Entry. Each entry must be submitted separately with its own submission fee.
5. Content Not Accepted
The festival does not accept the following:
- Amateur or home videos
- Films promoting political or religious propaganda
- Pornographic or sexually explicit content
- Technically poor-quality films (unclear audio, low resolution, missing subtitles, etc.)
6. Copyright & Legal Ownership
The submitter must hold all rights to the film, including music, visuals, and content. Any copyright infringement will result in immediate disqualification. HIFA will not be held responsible for such violations.
7. Jury & Selection Process
All films are reviewed by the festival jury. The jury’s decision is final and binding, and no correspondence regarding the results will be entertained.
8. Promotional Usage Rights
By submitting a film, the filmmaker grants HIFA permission to use excerpts, trailers, posters, and stills for promotional and marketing purposes related to the festival.
9. Festival Rights
HIFA reserves the right to accept or reject any submission at any stage without providing a reason.
10. Legal Indemnity
The submitter agrees to indemnify and hold HIFA harmless against any legal claims, including copyright, trademark, or ownership disputes.
11. Screening Permission
If selected, the filmmaker grants HIFA full permission to screen the film during the festival Delegates.
12. Schedule & Screening Changes
HIFA reserves the right to change screening schedules, venues or decide not to screen a selected film, if necessary, due to logistical or technical reasons.
13. Rule Modification
The Festival Director holds the authority to modify, waive or interpret any rule when required.
14. Required Materials (For Selected Films)
Selected filmmakers must submit:
- Film synopsis (English)
- Director’s biography and filmography
- Film posters (minimum 300 DPI resolution)
- Final film file with English subtitles
15. Submission Method
Film links and required materials must be sent via Festhome
Physical submissions are not accepted.
16. Submission Fee Payment
Payment can be made using the following methods:
Bank Transfer
Bank: State Bank of India
Account Name: Haryanvi Innovative Film Association
Account No.: 39760029617
IFSC: SBIN0050934
Branch: State Bank of India, Mini Sectt. Rohtak-124001
17. Contact Information
Phone:
Email: hifafestival@gmail.com
Website: www.hifafestival.com
18. Refund Policy
Submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, including submissions made in an incorrect category.
Feature Film
Feature Films >70' 300'<
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early30$27.6$
24.6$
15 Feb 26
Standard30$27.6$
24.6$
15 May 26
Late36$33.12$
29.52$
31 Jul 26
Extended42$38.64$
34.44$
31 Jul 26
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Submissions deadline
31 Jul 26
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5.4$
Submit
This category is open to narrative feature films with a runtime of more than 70 minutes, in any language. Films produced in languages other than English must include English subtitles.
Long Documentary
Short and Feature Films >31' 60'<
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early21$19.32$
17.22$
15 Feb 26
Standard21$19.32$
17.22$
15 May 26
Late25.2$23.18$
20.66$
31 Jul 26
Extended29.4$27.05$
24.11$
31 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
31 Jul 26
Save up
3.78$
Submit
The Long Documentary category accepts non-fiction films with a duration between 31 and 60 minutes. Documentaries may be in any language; English subtitles are mandatory for non-English content.
Short Documentary
Short Films 30'<
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early15$13.8$
12.3$
15 Feb 26
Standard15$13.8$
12.3$
15 May 26
Late18$16.56$
14.76$
31 Jul 26
Extended21$19.32$
17.22$
31 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
31 Jul 26
Save up
2.7$
Submit
This category is for documentary films with a maximum runtime of 30 minutes. Submissions are accepted in any language, provided English subtitles are included where required.
Long Short Film
Short Films >21' 50'<
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early21$19.32$
17.22$
15 Feb 26
Standard21$19.32$
17.22$
15 May 26
Late25.2$23.18$
20.66$
31 Jul 26
Extended29.4$27.05$
24.11$
31 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
31 Jul 26
Save up
3.78$
Submit
The Long Short Film category is designed for narrative short films with a runtime between 21 and 50 minutes. Films may be submitted in any language, with English subtitles compulsory for non-English entries.
Short Film
Short Films 20'<
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early15$13.8$
12.3$
15 Feb 26
Standard15$13.8$
12.3$
15 May 26
Late18$16.56$
14.76$
31 Jul 26
Extended21$19.32$
17.22$
31 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
31 Jul 26
Save up
2.7$
Submit
This category accepts short narrative films with a maximum duration of 20 minutes. Films can be in any language, but English subtitles are required if the original language is not English.
Student Film
Short Films 30'<
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early9$8.28$
7.38$
15 Feb 26
Standard9$8.28$
7.38$
15 May 26
Late10.8$9.94$
8.86$
31 Jul 26
Extended12.6$11.59$
10.33$
31 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
31 Jul 26
Save up
1.62$
Submit
The Student Film category is open to films created by students in any genre and any language, with a maximum runtime of 30 minutes. Proof of student status may be requested if required.
Music Video
Short Films 12'<
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early15$13.8$
12.3$
15 Feb 26
Standard15$13.8$
12.3$
15 May 26
Late18$16.56$
14.76$
31 Jul 26
Extended21$19.32$
17.22$
31 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
31 Jul 26
Save up
2.7$
Submit
The Music Video category includes music videos, dance films, animated music videos, and experimental audiovisual works driven primarily by music. The maximum allowed duration is 12 minutes.
Long Animation Film
Short and Feature Films >20' 300'<
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early21$19.32$
17.22$
15 Feb 26
Standard21$19.32$
17.22$
15 May 26
Late25.2$23.18$
20.66$
31 Jul 26
Extended29.4$27.05$
24.11$
31 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
31 Jul 26
Save up
3.78$
Submit
This category is open to animated films longer than 20 minutes. Feature-length animated films should be submitted under the Feature Film category.
Short Animation Film
Short Films 20'<
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early15$13.8$
12.3$
15 Feb 26
Standard15$13.8$
12.3$
15 May 26
Late18$16.56$
14.76$
31 Jul 26
Extended21$19.32$
17.22$
31 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
31 Jul 26
Save up
2.7$
Submit
The Short Animation Film category accepts animated works with a maximum duration of 20 minutes. Feature-length animations must be entered in the Feature Film category.
Regional Film
Short and Feature Films 300'<
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early21$19.32$
17.22$
15 Feb 26
Standard21$19.32$
17.22$
15 May 26
Late25.2$23.18$
20.66$
31 Jul 26
Extended29.4$27.05$
24.11$
31 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
31 Jul 26
Save up
3.78$
Submit
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods.
-8%
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods. 