GENERAL RULES
IFFLA Submission Rules
Eligible for the festival are films from India or by filmmakers of Indian descent worldwide irrespective of theme, as well as films by international filmmakers with a prevalent Indian focus.
Films must have been completed in 2018 or later, and not had a public screening in Los Angeles prior to the festival. For short films, an LA Premiere status is strongly preferred, but not required.
Please note that films that are publicly available on streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, iTunes, etc., on or before the festival dates will not be eligible to screen at IFFLA.
Filmmakers may submit more than one entry. Each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and the entry fee.
All entries must be submitted via FilmFreeway. Filmmakers must submit an online screener of their film through FilmFreeway, or by providing a link to an external site (e.g., Vimeo) with any passwords needed to view the film.
The festival is no longer accepting DVDs as a format of submission.
The entry fee is non-refundable. We only accept checks, US money orders or credit card payments through FilmFreeway. Please make check or money order payable to Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, in US dollars.
* Student submissions are highly encouraged but will NOT be considered without proof of student status. To receive a student discount on FilmFreeway for the Shorts category, the filmmaker/film must be registered as a student project. Students must be, or have been, enrolled in an accredited school (K-12, undergrad, graduate/post-grad) at the time of production. You do not need to be a student currently to submit your film. Please email rmehta@indianfilmfestival.org with a picture of your student ID. If not, you will be subject to the full price for submission.
If your film is selected to be screened at the festival, you will be required to provide a copy of your film in one of the accepted formats (DCP is preferred, HDCam, Blu-Ray - Region 0 or 1), a press kit with press reviews, synopsis, full credits, film stills, trailer (or film clips), posters, and a director's bio with a headshot. A backup digital file of your film will also be requested.
All filmmakers will be notified of their film's selection status via email by February 21, 2020.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles -- Rules and Regulations
1. Films are invited to be shown in the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles by the festival director in consultation with staff and advisory groups. Inclusion in the festival is at the sole discretion of the festival director.
2. The number, dates, times and locations of screenings shall be at the discretion of the festival director. Each film will receive no more than a maximum of two screenings.
3. Once a film is selected to be screened at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, producers or distributors agree not to hold a screening of the film in Los Angeles prior to the festival screening.
4. All films selected for presentation will be returned, immediately after the festival ends, to the recipient specified on the invited film entry form or otherwise authorized in writing by the film’s representative.
5. Films will be shown to the press in advance of the festival if at all possible unless the representative specifies "no press screenings" on the entry form (or in writing to the festival office).
6. Films invited by the festival should provide adequate publicity material, stills, and the film in an approved format.
7. Shipping charges for all unsolicited material, including films or videotapes, to the festival for possible consideration will be at the sender's expense, and must be sent prepaid. Unsolicited material sent C.O.D. will not be accepted.
8. Invited films should be sent pre-paid to the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. After the screening(s) they will be returned at the expense of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles pre-paid, and the receiver will be advised by fax or e-mail of the shipping details.
9. Submission of a signed entry constitutes acceptance of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles regulations. Additionally, festival management reserves the right to decide all questions not specifically provided for in the regulations.
10. All disputes, matters of interpretation, controversies and other issues arising under, or relating to, the entry form or regulations shall be determined and resolved according to the laws of the State of California.