Flame Firstcut (12)

Festival Start: 16 Februar 2026      Festival Ende: 10 Februar 2026

Welcome to FirstCut, one of India’s premier international student film festivals, organized by FLAME University, Pune.

FirstCut provides a dynamic platform for young filmmakers across the globe, encouraging them to explore film as a medium of growth and change.

In 2025, FirstCut Take 11 received 565+ submissions from students representing 55+ countries.

At the final event, shortlisted films will be screened for a live audience and evaluated by a distinguished jury from the Indian film industry. The screenings will be followed by engaging panel discussions and talks with renowned film personalities.

We believe creative freedom is essential, which is why participants have complete freedom in choosing their themes and styles.

In addition to categories in fiction, animation, and non-fiction, FirstCut offers the unique "Nano" film category, challenging students to create super short films.

Winners in each category will receive a certificate and a cash prize of INR 25,000.

Transaction charges will apply to international winners.

Please Note:

• Submissions to FirstCut are FREE of charge.

• Attending the event is FREE and open to all.

Eligibility:

1. Students can submit multiple films across various categories.

2. Submission of a VALID STUDENT ID IS MANDATORY at the time of film submission.

3. Category Time Limits:

• Fiction: 20 minutes
• Non-Fiction: 40 minutes
• Animation: 10 minutes
• Nano: 2 minutes

4. Directors, cinematographers, editors, scriptwriters, and sound designers must be current undergraduate or master’s students or recent graduates (within the past year). Actors and other crew members do not need to be students. There’s no limit on the number of students from the same institution.

Production Guidelines:

• Films must be original, including all content like music, visuals, and scripts. Copyrighted material is not accepted.

• Projection-quality picture and sound are preferred.

• All films, including those in English, MUST have English subtitles.

• The film’s content must adhere to legal standards (no obscenity, defamation, copyright infringement, or incitement of communal disharmony). The jury will make final decisions on content.

• Completion Dates: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Nano films must be completed on or after January 30, 2023.

Animation films must be completed on or after January 30, 2022.

Submission Guidelines:

• Submit via FirstCut’s Festhome page. Submit on 1 platform only.

• Indian participants may use the Google form on the FirstCut website.

• Films must be submitted as downloadable links via Google Drive, Vimeo, or Hidden YouTube.