1. A censor certificate is not mandatory for the festival.
2. All Films must have been released/produced between 2023, 2024, 2025
3. Duration:
a)Short films: maximum 20 minutes.
b) Feature films: 60 minutes to 180 minutes.
4. Anybody can submit one or more than one entry. There is no limit to submission.
5. All films must be subtitled in English.
6. All films should be without any watermarks and advertisements.
7. The winners get the Trophy, Cash Prize, Laurels and digital certificates.
8. If the winner cannot attend the festival in person, the winner should be informed 15 days before.
9. All the winners will receive our official Digital certificates duly signed.
10. Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Cinema:
This prestigious award, instituted in the name of a legendary filmmaker, consists of a cash prize, certificate, shawl, Medal, and scroll. It is conferred upon a master filmmaker/film technician/film personality for their outstanding contribution to cinema. The festival invites filmmakers, film technicians, and film personalities of repute every year for this award.
11. We prefer a movie with a trailer to share along with the poster on our website and social media pages.
12. The applicant agrees to:
a) Have read and accepted the rules & regulations for participation in the festival.
b) Confirms that they have the requisite authority or have obtained the requisite power from the producer/right holder to enter this film in the festival. Furthermore, the applicant declares to possess all rights to screen your movie.
c) Under NO circumstance do the authorities of Chennai World Cinema Festival entertain or be answerable to anyone else apart from the applicant.
13. By submitting the film, the applicant accepts that we can share the trailer, pictures, and movie posters on our social page, website, and other media.
14. The International competition will be held subject to the acceptance of a maximum of five eligible films from different Continents/Countries.
15. We will notify the applicants only if the movie is selected. We will share the official selection and the winner’s list on our website and notify the winners via email and our web and social media pages.
16. We can withdraw the selection or the award anytime if these rules are not respected.
17. We don’t entertain queries or are answerable about the selection. Our judges are free to decide whether a movie is worthy of being selected.
18. THE FESTIVAL WILL NOT ORGANISE OR REIMBURSE ANY TRAVEL EXPENCES FOR FILMMAKERS AND THEIR ARTISTS TO ATTEND THE FESTIVAL.
We will provide accommodation for three days only.
19. We accept films released on YouTube, OTT, Theatre, TV, and any media.
20. In the case of co-productions, at least one of the producers/production companies must have the right to sanction the film’s participation in competition in the festival and authority to receive the award, if any, is won.
21. A simple majority of the members present and voting will take the jury’s decisions. The jury can evolve its own rules for the assessment of the entries. The decision of jury members will be final and accepted by all. You won’t have any questions or arguments.
22. No person in any way connected with the production or commercial exploitation of a competitive entry will be a jury member.
23. Films should be in Any Digital format.
24. Classroom and advertising films are not eligible for participation in any section.
25. Films need to present sufficient technical qualities for good public screening to be allowed after checking the DCP/Online Screener.
26. Award of Cash and Certificate.
(a) ‘Best Feature Film Award’ A Cash prize of INR 200,000/- to be shared equally between the Director and Producer.
(b) The Director and Producer will receive Trophies and Certificates in addition to the cash component.
(c) ‘Best Short Film Award’ A Cash prize of INR100,000/- to be shared equally between the Director and Producer.
(d) The Director and Producer will receive Trophies and Certificates in addition to the cash component.
27. The deadline for receiving applications and preview material is August 2025.
28. All selected films must be available for screening on,
a) DCP [preferred]
b) Pro Res [preferred]
c) Minimum 1920×1080 digital file Quicktime, MP4, AVI, H264
29. CWCF has no premiere or exclusivity rule; we also consider work already online.
30. Film-makers must include a brief synopsis of the film, the Director’s Filmography in no more than 150 words
31. Provide at least one high-resolution image (1920 x 1080 or higher) for Chennai World Cinema Festival promotional brochures or publicity. You may send more than one image.
32. All entries must obtain the appropriate copyright clearances (i.e., music, archive footage, images, etc.). Please do so to avoid the entry being disqualified from the competition.
33. All the Nominated films will be screened during the festival program.
34. The festival website and social media pages will post a complete screening schedule of selected films.
36. All festival submissions are handled through FilmFreeway.
37. Once selected and submitted for the final screening, films can be withdrawn after the festival.
38. We accept YouTube links, Vimeo links, wetransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc., for screener/pre-selection/preview.
39. CWCF does NOT CONSIDER films that require SCREENING/RENTAL FEES.
40. The Festival proposes a maximum of 3 screenings per film as per FIAPF Regulations for non-competitive festivals and competitive specialised festivals, three screenings per film.
41. The Festival Authorities will have the right to screen the film non-commercially in different cities of India.
42. International World Cinema & International Short Film Awards: Any film worldwide can participate in this category.
43. Indian World Cinema & Indian Short Film Awards: Only Indian Filmmakers can participate in this category. The film’s director (s) or Producer(s) must be an Indian citizen.
44. Any organisation, agency, Individual producer, or director may enter films.
45. You have to read the rules carefully and agree with them.