IIFFCA Student Film Workshop
IIFFCA Student Film Festival
& IIFFCA Student Film Awards

Eligibility

1. 1.The IIFFCA Student Film Festival is exclusively intended for students.
2. 2.Only individuals currently enrolled in a recognized educational institution (school, college, university or equivalent academic body) are eligible to participate.
3. 3.Participants may be required to provide valid student identification or institutional proof during registration or submission.
4. 4.IIFFCA Federation reserves the right to verify student eligibility at any stage of the festival process.
5. 5.Any participant found to have misrepresented their student status may face immediate disqualification.

Film Duration Categories

Films submitted to the festival must fall under one of the following categories:

Film Submission Format

Films must comply with the following technical specifications:

• Video format: MP4 (recommended)
• Minimum resolution: Full HD (1920 × 1080)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9 for horizontal films / 9:16 for vertical series
• Frame rate: 24 fps or 25 fps preferred

Participants may also be required to submit:

• Film poster
• Film synopsis
• Director's statement
• Cast and crew credits

Mandatory Festival Logos

All submitted films must include the official IIFFCA Federation logo and FWICE logo at the beginning of the film.

Display duration requirements:

• Films above 3 minutes — logos must appear for minimum 3 seconds
• Films below 3 minutes — logos must appear for minimum 2 seconds

Failure to comply may result in rejection or request for resubmission.

Credits & Logo Placement Format

Opening sequence must include:

1. 1.IIFFCA Federation Logo
2. 2.FWICE Logo
3. 3.Optional: Production banner or student group name

Closing credits must clearly acknowledge:

• Director
• Writer
• Producer (if applicable)
• Cinematographer
• Editor
• Sound designer
• Actors
• VFX / AI artists
• Crew members
• Special acknowledgements

Non-student collaborators may only receive role-specific credit such as actor or technician.

Participation of Non-Students

The IIFFCA Student Film Festival is a student-led platform.

1. 1.Films must be submitted in the name of a student.
2. 2.Non-students cannot submit films.
3. 3.Non-students may participate only as collaborators such as: Actors, Technicians, Crew members, Musicians, Editors, Cinematographers.
4. 4.Non-students cannot claim submission rights or primary authorship.
5. 5.If a film is found to be primarily produced or controlled by non-students, it may be disqualified.

Student Team Declaration

The submitting participant must confirm that:

• The project is student-led
• The submitting student is the official representative of the project
• All collaborators have consented to their participation and credits

The submitting student assumes responsibility for the authenticity of the submission.

Student Eligibility Timeline for Technical Contributions

Students contributing to films as writers, editors, cinematographers, VFX artists, AI artists, sound designers or technicians must have been enrolled as students on or after 1 April 2025.

Participants who completed their studies prior to this date will not qualify under the student category.

Proof of enrollment may be requested.

Student Team Nomination Rule (Group Projects)

Many student films are collaborative projects. For group projects:

1. 1.A maximum of three students may nominate themselves as official representatives of the project.
2. 2.These students must have actively contributed to the project as: Director, Writer, Actor, Editor, Cinematographer, or Technician.
3. 3.Each nominated student must have registered themselves in the same project submission.
4. 4.Regardless of the number of contributors, the film will be counted as a single festival entry.
5. 5.The same film cannot be submitted multiple times under different student names.
6. 6.If duplicate submissions occur, IIFFCA will accept only the first valid submission.

This clause ensures fairness and prevents repetition of the same film project within the festival.

Film Language & Subtitle Rules

• Films may be produced in any language.
• Subtitles are recommended but not mandatory.
• Films not in Hindi or English are encouraged to include English subtitles for wider accessibility.
• IIFFCA may request subtitle files if required for screening.

AI Generated Content Disclosure

Participants must disclose if Artificial Intelligence tools were used in the production of the film.

AI may be used for:

• Visual effects
• Animation
• Voice synthesis
• Editing tools
• Image generation
• Script assistance

However:

• AI content must not violate copyright laws
• The film must remain primarily a student-driven creative work

Failure to disclose significant AI usage may result in disqualification.

Festival Screening Rights

By submitting a film, the participant grants IIFFCA Federation the right to:

• Screen the film during festival events
• Use clips, still images and trailers for promotion
• Showcase the film for educational initiatives

The filmmaker retains full ownership of the film.

IIFFCA shall retain non-exclusive promotional and screening rights for a period of one (1) year from the festival date.

Compliance with Indian Law

All films must comply with laws of the Republic of India.

Films receiving Adult (A) classification or equivalent restricted certification may be:

• Screened in restricted sessions, or
• Declared ineligible for certain awards.

IIFFCA reserves the right to decline screening of unlawful or inappropriate content.

Workshop Participation & Film Submission Benefits

• Students who register and participate in the IIFFCA Student Film Workshop may apply to submit their films free of charge to the IIFFCA Student Film Festival.
• Workshop participants are not permitted to attend the workshop multiple times in the present or future editions.
• Each Workshop Registered Student Participant will be entitled to only one free film submission to the festival.
• Any additional film submissions by the same participant will be subject to standard submission fees as determined by the festival policy.
• The free submission benefit is limited to one film per registered workshop participant per festival cycle.

Submission Deadlines & Late Fee Policy

1. 1.Films must be submitted within the official submission window announced by IIFFCA Federation.
2. 2.Late submissions may be accepted only during extended submission periods, if announced.
3. 3.Late submissions may attract additional submission charges.
4. 4.Submission fees are non-refundable.
5. 5.IIFFCA reserves the right to close submissions once capacity is reached.

Festival Jury & Award Evaluation

Films will be evaluated by a jury panel consisting of film professionals, educators, and industry experts.

Evaluation criteria include:

• Story and originality
• Direction
• Cinematography
• Editing
• Sound design
• Performance
• Production design
• Innovation and creativity

The decisions of the jury and selection committee are final and binding.

Code of Conduct for Participants

All participants must maintain professional and respectful conduct throughout the workshop and festival.

Participants must:

• Respect mentors, jury members and fellow students
• Maintain ethical and collaborative behavior
• Avoid harassment, discrimination or disruptive conduct

Violation of the code of conduct may lead to:

• Removal from the workshop or festival
• Disqualification from awards
• Cancellation of participation privileges

Intellectual Property Protection

1. 1.The participant submitting a film confirms that the work submitted is original or legally authorized.
2. 2.The participant must ensure that the film does not infringe upon copyright, trademark, moral rights, or any other intellectual property rights of any individual or organization.
3. 3.Any music, footage, images, or third-party material used in the film must be properly licensed or legally permitted.
4. 4.The submitting student shall be solely responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions and releases from collaborators, performers, or rights holders.
5. 5.IIFFCA Federation shall not be held liable for any copyright disputes arising from the submitted content.

Indemnity Clause

By submitting a film or participating in the workshop or festival, the participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless IIFFCA Federation, FWICE, partners, sponsors, and associated personnel from any claims, damages, liabilities, or legal disputes arising from the submitted work.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Copyright infringement
• Unauthorized use of materials
• Defamation or unlawful content
• Violation of third-party rights

Participants acknowledge that all legal responsibility for the submitted work lies with the submitting filmmaker.

Media & Publicity Rights

By participating in the IIFFCA Student Film Workshop or Festival, participants grant IIFFCA Federation the right to:

• Photograph or record participants
• Use film clips, stills, trailers, and behind-the-scenes footage
• Publish participant names and film titles

Such materials may be used for:

• Festival promotion
• Educational initiatives
• Media coverage
• Digital and print publications

These materials may be used across television, digital platforms, social media, promotional trailers, and festival archives.

Force Majeure

IIFFCA Federation shall not be held responsible for delays, cancellations, or modifications to the workshop or festival arising from circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Natural disasters
• Government restrictions
• Public health emergencies
• Technical failures
• Civil disturbances
• Any unforeseen circumstances affecting event operations

In such cases, IIFFCA reserves the right to reschedule, postpone, modify, or cancel the event or screening program.

Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These rules and regulations shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of India.

Any disputes arising in connection with the IIFFCA Student Film Workshop, Student Film Festival, or Student Film Awards shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Final Authority

1. 1.IIFFCA Federation reserves the right to interpret, amend, or update these rules when necessary for the smooth functioning of the festival.
2. 2.In matters not covered by these guidelines, the decision of the IIFFCA Festival Directorate and Organizing Committee shall be final.

Acceptance of Rules

By registering for the IIFFCA Student Film Workshop or submitting a film to the IIFFCA Student Film Festival, the participant confirms that:

• All information provided is true and accurate
• The participant has read, understood, and agreed to all rules and guidelines
• The participant agrees to comply with the festival policies and code of conduct