The principal objective of the Kolkata Kaleidoscope International Film Festival (KKIFF) is to promote and encourage awareness, appreciation and understanding of the art of cinema, and to inspire cultural exchange through film.
The first edition of KKIFF aims to bring together filmmakers, film enthusiasts, artists, cultural practitioners, industry professionals, and audiences through a shared love for cinema.
More than a festival built around screenings and awards, KKIFF seeks to create a space for conversation, collaboration, discovery and community—connecting established voices with emerging filmmakers and creating opportunities for people who are beginning to find their place in the film ecosystem.
Our philosophy is simple:
LESS COMPETITION. MORE COMMUNITY.
We believe cinema grows when people share ideas, resources, skills and perspectives rather than working in isolation. KKIFF therefore seeks to build an accessible and inclusive film community where filmmakers and film enthusiasts have a genuine space to connect, participate and belong.
OUR VISION
KKIFF envisions a film culture where diverse voices are not only represented but actively heard.
The festival aims to create conversations around independent filmmaking, emerging filmmakers, cultural representation, Indigenous cinema, women in cinema, human rights, environmental concerns, new technologies and evolving forms of storytelling.
Our goal is not simply to showcase films, but to encourage audiences to question, discuss, connect and engage with the worlds those films create.
WHAT KKIFF STANDS FOR
Emerging Voices
Creating opportunities for upcoming and independent filmmakers to showcase their work, meet professionals, build networks and find new audiences.
Cultural Diversity
Celebrating stories across languages, cultures, communities and geographies, while creating meaningful space for Indigenous and underrepresented voices.
Community Building
Bringing filmmakers, film lovers, artists, students and industry professionals into the same room to exchange ideas, skills, resources and opportunities.
Representation
Encouraging cinema that engages with questions of identity, gender, human rights, environment, culture and social change.
The Future of Cinema
Exploring emerging forms and technologies, including AI filmmaking and immersive cinema, alongside conventional cinematic practices.
AWARDS
Awards will be presented in the following categories:
Best Short Narrative Fiction Film
Best Director
Best Actor male
Best Actor female
Best Screenplay
Best Music & Background Score
Best Cinematography
Best Editor
Jury Awards
Best Documentary
Best AI film
Best Film in Each Category
Best Animation Film
All the participants will be provided certificate of participation
4. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
4.1 Submission Format
Screener Link (Selection Phase):
Please share a downloadable online screener link (Festhome) along with the password to access if applicable. The programming team will evaluate the film using this link provided by you in this form.
Exhibition Format (Post-Selection):
Upon official selection, submitters must provide a high-resolution Master copy in MP4, MOV or DCP format (unencrypted or encrypted).
4.2 Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, films must meet the following criteria:
• Films must be completed on or after 1st January 2024
• In exceptional cases, slightly older films may be considered
• Maximum duration: 30 minutes (including credits)
4.3 Selection Process
All submissions will be reviewed by an internal selection committee.
Selected films will be nominated for final categories.
By submitting your film, you confirm that you are the authorized rights holder and agree to the following Terms & Conditions:
Submission does not guarantee selection. Official Selections, Nominees, and Winners will be informed via email and social media. Any form of canvassing will lead to disqualification.
All short films completed between January 2024 – October 2026, with a duration up to 30 minutes, are eligible.
If selected filmmakers or winners are unable to attend the ceremony, certificates/awards will be couriered. Courier charges will apply.
Submission Deadlines:
Early Bird Deadline: 31st August
Normal Deadline: 30th September
Late Deadline: 31st October
Extended Deadline: 10th November
Submission Limit: Each filmmaker or production house may submit up to a maximum of 5 films total. Each film requires a separate submission and fee.
Films may be in any language or have no dialogue.
Only International Films can be submitted on Festhome, All Indian Films should be submitted using the Google Form in linktr.ee/kolkatakaleidoscope . Any Indian Film Submitted on Festhome will be disqualified.
The festival reserves the right to use excerpts from the submitted films for promotional purposes.
The submitter agrees to indemnify the festival against any claims related to copyright, trademark, publicity or credits.
Submission fees are non-refundable, even if the film is withdrawn.
Films once submitted cannot be withdrawn until the festival concludes.
All films must be original works and must not violate copyright laws.
Ineligible films for competitive sections may be considered for non-competitive sections at the discretion of the jury.
The festival may amend rules at any time without prior notice. Filmmakers are responsible for checking updates.
Decisions of the Selection Committee and Jury are final and binding.
Incomplete, incorrect or ambiguous submissions will be disqualified.
5. AWARDS
Awards will be presented in the following categories:
Best Short Narrative Fiction Film
Best Director
Best Actor male
Best Actor female
Best Screenplay
Best Music & Background Score
Best Cinematography
Best Editor
Jury Awards
Best Documentary
Best AI film
Best Film in Each Category
Best Animation Film
All the participants will be provided certificate of participation
6. DEADLINES
• Final submission deadline: 10th November, 2026
• No entries will be accepted after this date
• Selection notifications will be sent in the last week of November 2026
7. FESTIVAL ATTENDANCE
Travel, accommodation, and food expenses will not be covered by the festival.
8. FEES
• No customs fees will be paid
• No screening fees will be paid
9. PROHIBITED CONTENT
Films containing the following will not be accepted:
• Extreme Graphic Violence
• Communal Controversy
• Racism
• Disrespect towards any Gender
For any queries, please contact:
+91 94775 85768 / +91 7001587596
kolkatakaleidoscopeiff@gmail.com
Selected films will be placed in appropriate programmes by the Festival Organizing Committee.
The Committee reserves the right to decide on cases not foreseen by these regulations in accordance with international festival norms.
Participation in KKIFF 2026 implies acceptance of all Rules & Regulations.
Warning: Deadlines vary on some festival sections. Please check the specific deadlines for each section.
Live Action Narrative Short Film
Короткие фильмы 30'<
Плата-8%
Ранний0$0$
31 авг 26
Стандартный17$15.64$
30 сен 26
Поздний22$20.24$
31 окт 26
Расширенный28$25.76$
10 ноя 26
Крайний срок подачи заявок
10 ноя 26
Сэкономить
1.76$
Отправить
Stories brought to life through live-action filmmaking, celebrating original storytelling, creative direction, performances, cinematography and cinematic craft. This section highlights filmmakers who use the language of the camera to create impactful and engaging short-form narratives.
Animated Short Film
Короткие фильмы 30'<
Плата-8%
Ранний0$0$
31 авг 26
Стандартный17$15.64$
30 сен 26
Поздний22$20.24$
31 окт 26
Расширенный28$25.76$
10 ноя 26
Крайний срок подачи заявок
10 ноя 26
Сэкономить
1.76$
Отправить
Creative worlds shaped through animation, imagination, and visual storytelling.
This section celebrates innovative techniques, artistic expression, distinctive narratives and the limitless possibilities of animation from emerging and established creators.
Documentary Short Film
Короткие фильмы 30'<
Плата-8%
Ранний0$0$
31 авг 26
Стандартный17$15.64$
30 сен 26
Поздний22$20.24$
31 окт 26
Расширенный28$25.76$
10 ноя 26
Крайний срок подачи заявок
10 ноя 26
Сэкономить
1.76$
Отправить
Real stories, people and perspectives captured through the lens of documentary filmmaking.
This section celebrates authentic storytelling, observation, research, and powerful real-world narratives that inform, engage, and create meaningful conversations.
Voices from the Roots: Indigenous Cinema
Короткие фильмы 30'<
Плата-8%
Ранний0$0$
31 авг 26
Стандартный17$15.64$
30 сен 26
Поздний22$20.24$
31 окт 26
Расширенный28$25.76$
10 ноя 26
Крайний срок подачи заявок
10 ноя 26
Сэкономить
1.76$
Отправить
A dedicated space for films created by or centred around Indigenous communities, cultures, histories, identities and lived experiences.
KKIFF believes cinema can help preserve cultural memory, challenge stereotypes and amplify Indigenous voices on their own terms. The festival's predecessor materials similarly emphasised the importance of showcasing Indigenous filmmakers and creating dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
Focus: Women in Cinema
Короткие фильмы 30'<
Плата-8%
Ранний0$0$
31 авг 26
Стандартный17$15.64$
30 сен 26
Поздний22$20.24$
31 окт 26
Расширенный28$25.76$
10 ноя 26
Крайний срок подачи заявок
10 ноя 26
Сэкономить
1.76$
Отправить
A section celebrating women filmmakers and stories while encouraging conversations around women's representation and opportunities within the film industry.
Earlier festival programming also placed emphasis on improving opportunities for women working behind the camera and creating conversations around gender equality.
Echoes of Earth: Environmental Films
Короткие фильмы 30'<
Плата-8%
Ранний0$0$
31 авг 26
Стандартный17$15.64$
30 сен 26
Поздний22$20.24$
31 окт 26
Расширенный28$25.76$
10 ноя 26
Крайний срок подачи заявок
10 ноя 26
Сэкономить
1.76$
Отправить
Films engaging with climate change, biodiversity, pollution, sustainability, conservation and our relationship with the environment.
The festival aims to use cinema as a starting point for conversations around environmental awareness and collective action.
We are One: Human Rights Films
Короткие фильмы 30'<
Плата-8%
Ранний0$0$
31 авг 26
Стандартный17$15.64$
30 сен 26
Поздний22$20.24$
31 окт 26
Расширенный28$25.76$
10 ноя 26
Крайний срок подачи заявок
10 ноя 26
Сэкономить
1.76$
Отправить
Cinema that engages with human rights, social justice, equality and issues affecting communities around the world.
The objective is to encourage conversations around how cinema can become a tool for awareness and social dialogue.
AI Films
Короткие фильмы 20'<
Плата-8%
Ранний0$0$
31 авг 26
Стандартный0$0$
30 сен 26
Поздний0$0$
31 окт 26
Расширенный0$0$
10 ноя 26
Крайний срок подачи заявок
10 ноя 26
Сэкономить
0$
Отправить
A space for filmmakers experimenting with Artificial Intelligence, emerging technologies and new approaches to filmmaking and storytelling.
Immersive Cinema
Короткие фильмы 20'<
Плата-8%
Ранний0$0$
31 авг 26
Стандартный0$0$
30 сен 26
Поздний0$0$
31 окт 26
Расширенный0$0$
10 ноя 26
Крайний срок подачи заявок
10 ноя 26
Сэкономить
0$
Отправить
Films and audiovisual experiences that explore new ways of engaging audiences beyond traditional cinematic formats. (Check Genres for more details)
These curated sections reflect KKIFF's interest in both the histories cinema carries and the directions cinema is moving towards.
Feature Films (Non-Competition)
Художественные фильмы >65'
Плата-8%
Ранний0$0$
31 авг 26
Стандартный0$0$
30 сен 26
Поздний0$0$
31 окт 26
Расширенный0$0$
30 ноя 26
Крайний срок подачи заявок
30 ноя 26
Сэкономить
0$
Отправить
This is a curated section. We will accept 3 to 4 feature films from all the submissions in the non-competitive feature films section.
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.
Откройте для себя отличные фильмы и фестивали всего в один клик мышки
-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. 