Terms & Conditions

Welcome to the Indie Film Festival Awards (IFFA)!

The Indie Film Festival Awards (IFFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to celebrating the vision, creativity, and innovation of independent filmmakers from around the globe. Our mission is to nurture a dynamic, inclusive community through the art of cinema and provide a powerful platform for talented filmmakers, no matter their borders, language, or genre.

Based in the heart of New York City, IFFA stands out as a truly international celebration of independent film. We invite filmmakers and content creators from all corners of the world to join us, offering a festival experience that bridges cultural gaps and promotes diverse voices. With no genre or language restrictions, IFFA encourages the storytelling spirit across all forms of cinema.

Our dedicated committee of industry experts carefully reviews each film submission, selecting exceptional works for inclusion in our Award Nomination Festival. The festival features a wide range of films, from feature narratives to documentaries, animations, and student films — all celebrated for their originality and creativity.

Festival Timeline

IFFA's Award Nomination Festival will run from mid-February 2025 through mid-April 2025. During this period, nominated films will be showcased on our exclusive Indie Films World streaming platform. Each film will be available for a small fee of $1.49, and 50% of the revenue will be shared directly with the filmmakers to support their continued work.

Viewers worldwide can watch and vote for their favorite films during the two-month festival period. The 25 films that receive the most votes will be nominated for 25 prestigious categories, ensuring recognition for the most innovative voices in independent cinema.

Live Screenings & Awards Show

The festival culminates with live screenings of the nominated films in New York City, held at one of the city's premier theater venues in the heart of Downtown Manhattan. The grand finale, the Indie Film Festival Awards Show, is where we honor filmmakers, actors, technicians, and artists for their outstanding contributions to independent film. It's a night to celebrate creativity, innovation, and the global community of filmmakers.

IFFA is not just about awards — we are dedicated to offering opportunities that go beyond recognition. Our festival attracts distributors, offering filmmakers and content creators invaluable opportunities for networking, distribution, and career advancement. IFFA assists filmmakers in securing global distribution, including through major platforms like Amazon Prime Video.

We accept submissions in a wide array of categories:

We invite filmmakers, creators, and artists to submit their work and join us in this exciting celebration of independent cinema. Your voice and your story have the power to shape the future of film.

To submit your film to the Indie Film Festival Awards (IFFA), you must:

1. Comply with Pre-selection Conditions & IFFA Guidelines
2. Fill Out the Online Entry Form
3. Upload Your Film Online
4. If your film is selected for nomination, adhere to the festival's rules and regulations

Feature Film

Short Film

Student Film

Documentary / Web Shows

Regardless of the equipment used for shooting, all films must meet the following format specifications:

Feature Content (Movies/Series)

Content Subtitles

Visual Assets

Subtitling Guidelines

• Films in English do not require subtitles
• Films in all other languages must include English subtitles

By submitting to the Indie Film Festival Awards (IFFA), you acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions for virtual screening and participation.

Grant of Rights

By submitting your film to the IFFA, you grant the festival and its sponsors the right and permission to use the film during any stage of the festival for the following purposes:

• Broadcast, duplication, and advertising in association with the IFFA
• Viewing on IFFA platforms, television, in theaters, on the internet, and on websites
• Podcasting, archival purposes, and any other lawful media purpose, worldwide, and in perpetuity

Jurisdiction and Dispute Resolution

This contract is governed by the laws of New York. Any disputes arising from this agreement will be resolved through the American Arbitration Association under its Commercial Arbitration Rules at the New York office.

You agree that remedies for breach by the IFFA will be limited to monetary damages and will not include the right to terminate or seek injunctive relief.

Exhibition Rights

The submitter grants the IFFA the right to exhibit the film during the LIVE IFFA Festivals in theaters worldwide. By submitting, you accept that there is no promise of payment in any form from IFFA.

You confirm that you are authorized to submit the film and related materials on behalf of all contributors, including performers, directors, writers, technical crew, and distributors.

Additional Terms and Conditions of Entry

• No Withdrawal: Once your film is accepted and scheduled for the IFFA, you may not withdraw your submission. Please ensure there are no conflicting festival schedules before submitting.
• Rights and Permissions: By submitting your material, you confirm you hold the rights to all images, sound, music, interviews, promotional materials, and any third-party content used in the film and its promotion.

Important Disclaimers

• Damaged Drives: IFFA cannot be held responsible for any damaged or lost drives during shipping.
• Opinions in Films: The views expressed in the films are those of the filmmakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IFFA, its board, or its associates.

The INDIE FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS is organized by the Indie Film Festival Awards in collaboration with Indie Films World.

Festival Purpose

The festival aims to recognize and showcase films that highlight the importance of creativity and craftsmanship in filmmaking.

Eligibility for Feature Films

A Feature Film must be 60 minutes or longer and unreleased theatrically. Directors of previous student thesis films or TV films are eligible for the INDIE FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS with their first feature film.

Eligible Films for Competition

The films eligible for the awards must be part of the Official Selection (Competition, Out of Competition, Un Certain Regard), or one of the Parallel Sections such as "The Critics' Week" or "The Directors' Fortnight."

Jury Selection

The winner will be chosen by a Jury of six members:

• One president
• One director (from the Society of Hollywood Directors)
• One director of photography (from US Cinematographers)
• One film critic (from American Film Critics)
• One industry professional or international film enthusiast
• One representative of the Cinema and Audiovisual Industries

The Jury will only vote for one winner per section, and the Jury President will resolve any tie-breaking issues.

Obligations and Authority

• Winner's Logo Usage: The producer and director of the winning film must agree to use the IFFA logo in all promotional materials.
• Final Authority: The President of the IFFA has the final authority to settle any cases not covered by these rules.
• Rules Language: The rules are provided in English.
• Full Acceptance: Participation in the competition implies full acceptance of all aforementioned rules and regulations.
• Festival Authority: The President of IFFA, Mr. Mukesh Modi, is the permanent authority of the festival with exclusive power to remove or add any submissions, officials, or partners.

Film Review Process

Films are reviewed by a screening committee who assess elements such as craft, technique, originality, and professionalism. High-scoring films are then re-screened and evaluated by the jury.

Notification Timeline

Submitters will first be notified if their film has not been selected. Afterward, those whose films are selected for screening will be informed via the email provided during the application process. A dedicated page for each selected film will be created on the festival's website.