BEST WEB SERIES (OTT) AWARD

1. SHORT TITLE

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), is competitive feature film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). Since its inception, IFFI has consistently proven to be a film festival par excellence, celebrating the finest cinematic art and talents from around the globe. Recognising the tectonic changes in the entertainment industry especially in the recent years with the onset and acceptance of Over-The-top (OTT) platforms, the Best Web Series (OTT) Award was introduced starting with the 54th edition of IFFI (2023). Continuing the momentum, the award aims at acknowledging, encouraging and honouring the flourishing content and its creators on OTT platforms.

2. DEFINITIONS

• ‘Applicant’ refers to:
  • ● Producer(s) normally working and residing in India
  • ● Production house(s) incorporated/registered in India
  • ● An OTT platform in the case of its original production or co-production content. The OTT platform should be compliant with Part III of the IT Rules 2021
  • ● In the case of a co-production between any of the above, the majority rights holder.
• ‘Eligibility Period’ refers to the period from 1st August, 2024 to 31st July, 2025.
• ‘Entry’ refers to the web series or its particular season (in case of web series with multiple seasons), for which the application for the award is made.
• ‘IT Rules, 2021’ refers to The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
• ‘Ministry’ refers to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India
• ‘OTT Platform’ refers to a publisher of online curated content as defined under IT Rules, 2021
• ‘Web Series’ refers to a form of episodic content purposed to be streamed and watched over the internet through various Over-the-top (OTT) platforms. It consists of a series of interconnected episodes and/ or seasons, following a narrative storyline, central idea, or thematic concept covering a variety of genres.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE BEST WEB SERIES (OTT) AWARD

• ● To foster growth and innovation in the Indian OTT industry by encouraging and celebrating web series content produced for and screened on digital platforms.
• ● To encourage OTT content in Indian languages by promoting regional diversity and creativity in the web content industry, including content produced in regional languages.
• ● To recognize and reward exceptional talent that has realized its potential due to the opportunities provided by the OTT space in India.
• ● To incentivize and create investment opportunities in India's OTT sector by providing avenues to content creators and OTT platforms to showcase their work, exchange knowledge, and foster international relationships through the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

4. CATEGORY OF AWARD

5. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All entries must fulfil the following conditions:

• 5.1 The web series should be originally created/shot and available in any Indian language(s).
• 5.2 The web series should be an original piece of work commissioned, produced, co-produced, licensed, or acquired with the purpose of releasing only on the OTT Platform.
• 5.3 The following conditions shall render entries ineligible for participation:
  • 5.3.1 If the web series was originally released in theatres or on television.
  • 5.3.2 A dubbed, revised, remake, re-edited version of an existing web series.
  • 5.3.3 Previews, trailers, sizzle reels, commercials, reality shows, etc.
  • 5.3.4 Collection of sequences from feature-length films, aired and unaired episodes of an established TV show previously or simultaneously released theatrically or aired on television.
• 5.4 The web series should have been originally released on one or more OTT platform(s)
• 5.5 In case of web series having multiple seasons, the entry can be made only for one season as per the choice of the applicant, subject to other eligibility criteria.
• 5.6 All episodes of the entry (web series/season) should be available for public viewing on an OTT platform.
• 5.7 All episodes of the entry (web series/season), should have been released on an OTT Platform during the eligibility period i.e. from 1st August, 2024 to 31st July, 2025.
  • 5.7.1 In case the web series is released on multiple OTT Platforms, the platform on which the web series was originally streamed will be considered.
  • 5.7.2 In case any episode(s) of a web series cuts across the eligibility period, the web series shall be eligible to be considered for the next edition.
• 5.8 The web series/season under application must:
  • 5.8.1 have a total runtime of at least 180 minutes
  • 5.8.2 have a minimum of three (3) or more episodes
  • 5.8.3 have each episode of 25 mins or more in duration
  • 5.8.4 be tied together under the same title or trade name.
• 5.9 Regulatory Aspects related to IT Rules, 2021:
  • 5.9.1 The OTT platform must have furnished information to the Ministry of Information Broadcasting in accordance with Rule 18 of the IT Rules, 2021, and should be in compliance with Part III of the IT Rules, 2021.
  • 5.9.2 The web series should be in compliance with the Code of Ethics for online curated content, prescribed in the IT Rules, 2021.
  • 5.9.3 The web series should not have any adverse order regarding its content under the IT Rules, 2021, or any court of law in India.
• 5.10 Disqualification:
  • 5.10.1 An applicant will be automatically disqualified from consideration if it is discovered that they are attempting to influence any member of the Jury. The decision of the Secretary, Ministry in this matter will be final and binding.
  • 5.10.2 If any declaration submitted by the applicant is found to be false or incorrect at any stage, the Ministry of Information Broadcasting reserves the right to reject the entry.

6. PROCEDURE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATION

• 6.1 The applicant should submit the entry through the prescribed online entry form. The online entry form and regulations are available on the website: www.mib.gov.in, www.iffigoa.org, www.nfdcindia.com
  • 6.1.1 Only ONE season of the web series will be considered for award. If multiple seasons of a web series are released within the eligibility period, the applicant should duly indicate the season for which application is being made.
  • 6.1.2 Only ONE entry will be permitted from one applicant (producer(s)/production house(s)/OTT Platform). If the applicant submits more than one entry, all the entries are subject to rejection.
• 6.2 The hard copy of the online entry form along with its adjoining material must be received by submission deadline at the following address:

  Best Web Series (OTT) Award, 2025
  National Film Development Corporation,
  Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,
  Government of India,
  FD-NFDC Complex, 1st Floor, Old Building
  24, Dr. Gopalrao Deshmukh Marg
  Mumbai 400 026, Maharashtra
  Tel: 022 48251770
  E-Mail - webseriesaward@gmail.com
  (All materials should be clearly labelled “Best Web Series (OTT) Award 2025” on its package)

• 6.3 Each entry form shall be accompanied by the material detailed below, along with the payment details of the entry form. The same should also be sent to the email address – webseriesaward@gmail.com
  • 6.3.1 Acceptable Format - The Web Series (season or all episodes individually) to be sent via an online private screener link(s) in one email with the subject – “<Web Series (OTT) Name> - <OTT Platform Name> | Online Screener Season#”
    • a. The validity of the screener and the number of views should be kept open to facilitate the online selection process.
    • b. The screener should not be shared through platforms that require registration, subscription-based access, or paid platforms.
    • c. The screener link(s) MUST CONTAIN ENGLISH SUBTITLES. Applicants may please ensure that sub-titles are clear and readable. Subtitles should not merge with visuals/background. All spoken words should be subtitled.

    Note: Other modes of submission may be allowed at the discretion of the festival administration.

  • 6.3.2 A declaration must be provided by the applicant in the prescribed format of SCHEDULE I of these regulations. This declaration confirms that the information provided in the entry form is submitted in adherence to Clause 2, 5.2, 5.3.2, 5.6, 5.7, 5.9 and 6.1.2 of these regulations.
• 6.4 A non-refundable entry fee of (Rs. 11,800/- including 18% GST) must be remitted online at the time of online entry form submission.
• 6.5 The last date for the submission of the online application is 01st September 2025, until 6:00PM, and the last date for the receipt of the stamped and signed hard copy of the submitted online application form along with the requisite material is 1st September, 2025 until 6:00PM. In the event that physical submission deadline is declared a holiday, the next working day will be considered as the final date for receipt of the application. Applications received after the last date may be rejected without any notification to the applicant. (Please note that both the online and hard copy versions of the application form submitted by the applicants should be the same).
• 6.6 The names of the Creator(s)/Director(s), Producer(s)/production house(s) and the OTT platform will be credited and awarded based on the details provided in the application form by the applicant. No requests for name changes will be entertained at any stage. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the name indicated in the entry form matches the credit titles appearing in the web series, as the credit titles will be considered for validation, if necessary.
• 6.7 If the applicant fails to comply with any of the requirements mentioned in this section of the Regulations, the entry may be summarily rejected.

7. SELECTION PROCESS

There shall be a two-tier system i.e. the Preview Committee and the Jury, for making selections for the award as specified in Clause 4 of the Regulations. The Ministry will duly constitute both the Preview Committee and the Jury to carry out the selection process.

• 7.1 Preview Committee
  • 7.1.1 The preview committee will be comprised of members distinguished in the field of web-series, cinema, and other allied arts from across India.
  • 7.1.2 The preview committee will shortlist and recommend up to ten (10) web series from the eligible applications to the Jury for the final selection of the award, as specified in Clause 4 of the Regulations.
• 7.2 Jury
  • 7.2.1 A Jury will be comprising of eminent film/web series professionals/ personalities acclaimed in the field of web-series, cinema, and other allied arts from across India.
  • 7.2.2 The Jury will select up to five (5) nominations from the shortlisted web series, out of which they will choose ONE as the winner.
  • 7.2.3 The Jury will determine their own work procedure. The Jury would be the apex decision-making body for the category of award as specified in the Clause 4 of the Regulations.
  • 7.2.4 A person will be ineligible to serve on Preview Committee/ Jury if a web-series in which he/she is directly associated (professionally, financially or otherwise) is an entry. In the event of his / her close relative being associated with the particular entry, the Preview Committee /Jury member shall recuse himself/herself from the selection process of the web series.
  • 7.2.5 The members appointed for the preview committee, Jury, and Chairperson shall make a declaration, in the prescribed format of SCHEDULE II of these Regulations.
  • 7.2.6 The preview committee and Jury members shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding the deliberations/recommendations of the web-series during the selection process. In case of any violation by the preview committee and Jury members, he/she would be debarred from becoming a Jury member in any awards hosted by the Ministry.
  • 7.2.7 The Festival Director, IFFI, and/or his/her nominee may attend the deliberations of the panels and provide information/clarifications, required by the panels regarding the entries. They shall however neither participate in the deliberations nor vote.
  • 7.2.8 The decision of the Jury shall be final and binding and no appeal or correspondence regarding their decision shall be entertained.

8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Should any dispute or difference arise, the same shall be referred to the Secretary, Ministry, whose decision in the matter shall be final and binding. The Arbitration Clause will not apply to the decision of the Jury, which will be final and binding.