1. About IFFI
The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), is a competitive feature film festival accredited
by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). It is organized by the
National Film Development Corporation of India Ltd (NFDC), Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting, Government of India in collaboration with the State Government of Goa and the
Indian Film Industry. Since its inception, IFFI has consistently proven to be a film festival par
excellence, celebrating the finest cinematic arts and talents from around the globe.
2. Short Title
These regulations shall be called Indian Panorama 2025 Regulations for the 56th edition of International
Film Festival India (IFFI), 2025 and shall come into force with immediate effect.
3. Definitions
In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise refers,
- (a) “Board” means the Central Board of Film Certification.
- (b) “Corporation” means National Film Development Corporation,
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- (c) “Indian Panorama” is a Section of the International Film Festival
of India. “Indian
Panorama” means the group of films selected in terms of the provisions given in these
Regulations for participation in National and International Film Festivals.
- (d)“Producer” is one who produces a film and also has the copy right of the film and can
supply/authorize supply of digital copies of the selected films, for Jury or other screenings at
Film Festival(s) and may include an individual or a company or an Institute or any other such entity
as co-producer.
4. Aims and objectives
The aim of the Indian Panorama, organized by the NFDC is to select Feature and Non-feature
films of cinematic, thematic and aesthetic excellence, for the promotion of film art through the
non-profit screening of these films in:
- (1) International Film Festivals in India and abroad.
- (2) Indian Film Weeks held under Bilateral Cultural Exchange
Programmes and Specialized Indian Film Festivals outside cultural exchange protocols..
- (3) Special Indian Panorama Festivals in India.
Indian Panorama at the 56th IFFI will also focus on
(a) Indian Films making their world, international, Asia or India premiere, and
(b) Best debut feature films of Indian directors
5. Sections
The Indian Panorama at 56th IFFI will therefore have the following 4 sub sections:
-
(a) Feature films - A maximum of 26 Feature films (including the Best Feature from 72nd National
Film
Awards, 2024)
-
(b) Non-feature films - A maximum of 21 non-feature films (including the Best Non-feature films from
72nd National Film Awards, 2024)
-
(c) 5 Debut feature films which showcase a diverse range of narratives and cinematic styles of young
film makers from across the country and which have been selected by the jury to promote new and
young
talent.
-
(d) New Horizons – Those feature films from the above selections (a), (b) and (c) that are screening
for
the first time anywhere either in the world or at least in India i.e. World, International, Asia or
India Premieres. Besides feature films recommended by IP Jury, this sub section may also include
up-to 5
feature films curated specially for this sub section by the festival outside the ambit of Indian
Panorama.
6. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
The following conditions must be fulfilled by all entries:
- 6.1 The film should be in any Indian language. The Phrase “any Indian
language” would
mean all official languages of the State/Union Territories of the Indian Union, all other
Indian
languages included in Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India and such other languages
and
dialects that may be permitted by the Government of India from time to time.
- 6.1.1 Silent Films will also be eligible.
- 6.2 The Director should be an Indian national.
- 6.3 The Producer of the film should be an Indian national
and the film should have been
produced in India. However, co-productions with the foreign entity are also
acceptable.
6.4 In the case of co-productions involving a foreign entity, the
following conditions should
be fulfilled :
- 6.4.1 At least one of the co-producers must be an Indian
entity.
- 6.4.2 The Indian entity should be registered in India or a
citizen of India.
6.5 The cast and technicians should be predominantly Indian nationals. However,
non-feature
films directed by foreign students of Film Institutes situated in India will be eligible if
their entries are sent through their respective Institutes.
6.6 The title of the film should be registered as an Indian
film title.
6.7 The applicant i.e. Producer/right holder(s) should have
the right for
sanctioning the participation of the film in festivals in India and abroad as an
Indian entry as well as special expositions of Indian cinema organized by the
NFDC.
6.8 The completion year of production of the films should be during the last 12
months preceding the festival i.e.1st August, 2024 to 31st July, 2025. The applicant should
submit a declaration stating the date of completion year of production in the format as
mentioned at clause number 8.2 (c) i, ii, iii. Films certified by CBFC during the period 1st
August, 2024 to 31st July, 2025 are also eligible.
Note:
- (1) If the film i.e. Feature film (including films for best debut director of Indian Feature
film or films selected for New Horizons) or Non-Feature film, that has been
selected/screened in Indian/international selection of any other festival, it will be eligible
for entry in the Indian Panorama section in the same calendar year only.
- (2) If a film selected for Indian Panorama or any of its four sub sections (as detailed in
Point 5 above) is not certified by CBFC, NFDC would take necessary action for seeking
exemption as per Cinematography Act, 1952 for the festival screenings. However, as and
when the film is certified by CBFC, the Producer should provide the certified version of
the film to NFDC in the desired formats.
- (3) If a film (Certified/ Un-certified) has entered last year in the Indian Panorama, it will
not be eligible for Indian Panorama 2025.
- 6.9 Films made in any Indian language shot in film/digital/video format and as a feature film
or fiction above 72 mm duration, are eligible for the Feature Film Section.
- 6.10 Films made in any Indian language shot on film/digital/video format and as a
documentary/ non-fiction/short fiction are eligible for the Non- Feature Film Section.
- 6.11 a)The question of whether a film is a feature film or a non-feature film will be decided
based on such categorization mentioned in the entry form and declaration submitted by
the applicant.
b) The film/entry under Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film will be scrutinized as
per applicant's declaration and material facts available, besides the overarching Indian
Panorama Regulations.
c) The film/entry under New Horizons Category (Indian Feature Film) will be scrutinized
as per applicant's declaration on the premiere status and material facts available, besides
the overarching Indian Panorama Regulations.
- 6.12 All feature films must include "Closed Captioning and Audio Descriptions" as mandated
by the Guidelines for Accessibility Standards in Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema
Theatres for Persons with Hearing and Visual Impairment, on 15.03.2024. A link to the
guidelines is available hereunder.
Vist Now
- 6.13 ALL FILMS MUST CARRY ENGLISH SUBTITLES.
- 6.14 For Mainstream Cinema Selection, Film Federation of India, Film and Television
Producers Guild of India, Ltd., Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPAA), Indian
Film and Television Director's Association, Eastern Indian Motion Pictures Association
(EIMPA), South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce, Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat
Mahamandal and Film Fraternity of Assam may submit five (5) films each based on popular
appeal and box office receipts to be included in Indian Panorama evaluated by their own jury.
The Indian Panorama Jury may select up to Five (5) films recommended by Film Federation
of India, Film and Television Producers Guild of India Ltd., Indian Motion Picture Producers
Association (IMPAA), Indian Film and Television Director's Association, Eastern Indian
Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA), South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce, Akhil
Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal and Film Fraternity of Assam for inclusion in the
Indian Panorama. The films should be submitted in the prescribed entry form and format as per the regulations,
within the given deadline for submission of films i.e. 18th August, 2025 till 6.00 P.M. for
submission of online application form and 25th August, 2025 till 6.00 P.M. for receipt of the
stamped and signed hard copy of the submitted online application form along with the requisite
material.
- 6.15 a) A maximum of five (5) entries would be allowed from
individuals, Producers,
Production Units, Government organizations, and companies.
b) A maximum of ten (10) student films would be allowed from each recognized film/media institution
offering courses of not less than 1 year in duration. The entries must be fiction or non-fiction
project works completed as part of the academic curriculum. Each entry must be duly certified by the
institution, confirming that the film is the independent work of the student(s) / student team/unit
and was undertaken as a part of their course requirements.
7. DISQUALIFICATION
- (a) In the case of programmes originally made for television, entries sent in telecast
format with commercial breaks, advertisements, channel logos/IDs etc.
(b)Entries with captions such as “preview copy”, organizational logos etc. However, if
the screening copy bears the captions, it should be so faint as not to disturb the
viewing experience.
(c) Dubbed/ Revised/ Remake/ Re-edited version of an Indian Film which was submitted
earlier for the Indian Panorama, will not be eligible. All films must be presented in
their original version/language.
(d) Films NOT subtitled in English. (Filmmakers may please ensure that sub-titles are
clear and readable. Subtitles should not merge with visuals/background. It would help
the jury understand the right context and help evaluate the film better. All spoken
words should be sub-titled).
(e) Entries received in sub-standard quality of DCP (Required: Unencrypted, DCI Compliant – J2K as
per SMPTE Standard) or online downloadable digital file as back-up copy.
(f) An applicant would be disqualified automatically for consideration of his/her entry
if it is found that he /she is influencing any member of the jury and the decision of
the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in this regard would be final
and binding.
(g) Any Indian Film Shown in any Indian or international Film Festival more than one
year preceding IFFI, the film will be considered to be ineligible.
(h) If any of the declarations submitted by the applicants are found to be factually
false or incorrect, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) reserves the right to
reject the entry or even cancel the selection of the film after the final
results/announcements. In such cases, where false or incorrect declarations are found,
the applicant would be barred for a period of three years to participate in any
activities organized by the Corporation.
8. Procedure for entering films
9. Selection of Indian Panorama
- 9.1 The Indian Panorama will be selected by two duly constituted juries, one for Feature films
(including for films under New Horizons and Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film
Category) and the other for non-feature films. An adequate representation will be made from
the major regional production centres to serve on the juries. The Jury for selection shall
comprise 13 members (including the Chairperson) for Feature films and 7 members (including
the Chairperson) for Non-Feature films.
- 9.2 The Chairperson of the Feature Film Jury may constitute a maximum of four (04) panels
from amongst the members of the jury. The Chairperson of the Non-Feature Film Jury may
constitute a maximum of two (02) panels from amongst the members of the jury. Each panel
of Feature Jury shall recommend a maximum of 12 films apart from 3 films under best debut
director of Indian Feature film or up to 33% of the films viewed by them, whichever is less,
for combined viewing by the full jury. Similarly, max. 15 films by each panel of Non-Feature
Jury, if panel viewing are done. The Juries will determine their own work process. No recall of
any film(s) shall be permissible once the recommendations are submitted by the panels and
during the combined Viewing by the full jury.
- 9.3 A person will be ineligible to serve on a Jury ONLY if his/her
film is an entry. In
the event of his / her close relative being associated with the particular film, the
Jury member shall recuse himself/herself from the preview of the film.
- 9.3.1 A person appointed as Chairperson or member of the jury
shall make the
declaration in writing in the form given in Form IP-III annexed to these
Regulations.
- 9.3.2 The Jury Members shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding the
deliberations/recommendations of films during panel screening and final screenings. In case of
any violation by jury members, he/she would be debarred for life from becoming ajury member
in the Indian Panorama/National Film Awards/International Film Festival of India.
- 9.4 The Festival Director, IFFI and/or his/her nominee may attend the deliberations of the
panels and provide informationlclarifications, required by the panels regarding the entries.
They shall however neither participate in the deliberations nor vote.
- 9.5 The decision of the juries shall be final and binding and no appeal or correspondence
regarding their decision shall be entertained.
- 9.6 The films selected for the 72nd National Film Awards 2024 for the Best Feature Films and
Best non-Feature Film will also be included in the Indian Panorama, if the same film has not
participated in the previous Indian Panorama, notwithstanding the provisions contained in the
Clause 6.8 of these Regulations.
10. Acquisition of Prints of Films Selected for the Indian Panorama
- 10.1 In case a film is selected for the Indian Panorama, the NFDC will have the right to buy,
on behalf of the Government of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, one or more
DCP(Unencrypted) thereof, at a cost not exceeding the actual price of the raw material and
processing charges.
- 10.2 NFDC shall have the right to get the DCP-Unenciypted subtitledldubbed in English or/and in other languages.
- 10.3 NFDC shall have the right to strike foreign language subtitled prints as per programming
requirements, for non-commercial use. The Corporation shall have the right to make one DCP/
Hard Drive (containing MP4/MOV/H.264, Resolution 1920x1080 file) from the DCP
submitted as entries of the film selected under Indian Panorama, 2025 for non-commercial
screenings as specified under clause 12 of the Regulations for Indian Panorama, 2025.
- 10.4 NFDC shall have the right to replace the existing prints /DCP, subtitled or otherwise, once
it is certified as damaged.
- 10.5 In the case of a film selected for the Indian Panorama, all the material referred to in
Regulations 8.2 shall be kept by the NFDC for use as and when necessary. The Producer shall
also supply, on request of the Corporation, additional publicity material to NFDC to facilitate
the participation of the film in various festivals as detailed in the Regulation.
- 10.6 The authorization in forms IP-Il shall be made use of by NFDC for the purposes and
manner mentioned in Regulation Clause 12, only in case a film is selected for the Indian
Panorama.
- 10.7 It will be the duty of the concerned Producer/right holders to ensure the implementation
of all Sub-Clauses of Clause- 10, even if the Producer/right holder sells the distribution rights
to some other company after the film is selected in the Indian Panorama.
- 10.8 Selected films (feature and non-feature) will be given a Certificate during the IFFI in Goa.
The names of the Director and Producer will be credited as declared in the application form.
No request for a change of names would be entertained at any stage.
11 RETURNS OF DCP
DCPs of films not selected will be returned to the producers shortly after the final meeting of
the Selection Panel. The Corporation shall bear the cost of returning the DCP to the address of
the sender.
12 Use of Indian Panorama Films
- 12.1 The Indian Panorama films (included in whichever of the 4 subsections) will initially be
screened at the Indian Panorama Section of the International Film Festival of India, provided
that no claim of any kind would lie against NFDC for their inability to show a film due to
technical or any other reasons.
- 12.2 Out of the feature films selected for Indian Panorama, up-to three (03) films will be
identified and recommended by the Indian Panorama Jury for the International Competition
Section of 56th International Film Festival of India. Similarly, up to two (02) debut film(s) of
a director will be recommended for the Best Debut Film of a Director Award and up to three
(03) films will be recommended for ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal — all to be given away at
the 56th International Film Festival of India under International Competition.
- 12.3 In order to encourage fresh perspectives in storytelling, innovative forms of expression
and new talent in Indian cinema, Indian Panorama 2025 will feature a Best Debut Director of
an Indian Feature Film Award carrying a Trophy and cash prize of Rs.5,00,000/- At the time
of final selection, the Indian Panorama Jury, will select up-to five (5) nominations for this
award, out of which they will choose one winner. This new section will draw national and
international attention to the new face of Indian cinema.
- 12.4 Out of the feature films selected for Indian Panorama, those Feature films that have
previously not been screened at any festival/commercial/public/OTT/Television screening in
(depending on the region) the World or India (strike out either the World or India as the case
may be) will be presented under 'Indian Panorama - New Horizons' branding in order to
showcase the yet unseen face of Indian Cinema for the discerning audience at IFFI first, and
rest of India and the world eventually. The New Horizons sub section of Indian Panorama may
be further expanded to include specially curated films that the festival may consider worth
inviting to emphasize India's fast developing reputation as a hub for cinematic innovation. The
eligibility criteria for entering of film under "New Horizons" is the same as it is for Indian
Panorama except for the additional requirement that the film should not have been screened at
any festival/commercial/public/OTT/Television screening in (depending on the region) the
World or India (strike out either the World or India as the case may be) and will not be screened
at any festival/commercial/public/OTT/Television screening in (depending on the region) the
World or India (strike out either the World or India as the case may be) until it has completed
its runls at IFFI 2025.
-
12.5 The Indian Panorama films - including New Horizon films and Best Debut Director of
Indian Feature Films will be used for participation in various international film festivals, film
weeks, Indian Panorama festivals and other non-commercial screenings, within the country and
abroad at the discretion of National Film Development Corporation and the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting. For all such screenings, the Producer will not be eligible for any
payment. He! She will however, be kept informed of such screenings.
-
12.6 The prints purchased by the National Film Development Corporation under these
Regulations will be utilized for organizing Indian Panorama Festivals and will not be utilized
for any commercial purposes. The Indian Panorama Festivals will be organized by National
Film Development Corporation by the guidelines prescribed by the Government of India.
- 12.7 Exemption from CBFC certification for the selected films in Indian Panorama (feature
and non-feature) will be obtained from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for
screening in IFFI, in case of films are not certified by CBFC. However, as and when the film
is certified by CBFC, the producer should provide the certified version of the film to NFDC in
the desired formats.
13. Dispute Resolution
Should any dispute or difference arise between the Producer and the NFDC, the same shall be
referred to the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India,
whose decision in the matter shall be final and binding on both the parties. The Arbitration
Clause will not apply to the decision of Juries, which will be final and binding on both the
National Film Development Corporation and the applicant for Indian Panorama.
