NEFI Opportunities · The noticeboard
Grants, funds, labs, fellowships, festivals and workshops for independent filmmakers, sorted by the date that matters. Hosts change dates and rules without telling us, so check the official page before you apply.
Act fast
Every live listing with a dated deadline, nearest first. Badges show whole days left from 3 November 2026. The full directory below carries the same order by default.
Curated directory
Kinds are the engine kinds as classified in the source data: grants, festivals, workshops, competitions, labs, fellowships, residencies and events. Expired listings stay out of sight until you switch them on.
CPH:DOX
CPH:DOX's international financing and co-production event for creative documentary projects with international potential, covering cinema, hybrid, science, investigative and art strands plus rough-cut presentations. The 2027 edition takes place 16 to 18 March 2027 in Copenhagen, with pitch awards attached.
AmountPitch awards up to $25,000
Screenwriting and project development 2027 cycle deadline verified 2026-11-02 via two corroborating rechecks of the official page (direct fetch did not surface the deadline line).
MICA Ahmedabad, in partnership with filmmaker Aranya Sahay
Fellowship selecting up to 5 filmmakers for a project grant, a week-long residency at the MICA Ahmedabad campus and access to post-production facilities. Fiction and documentary projects at development, production or post-production stage are invited. Deadline rests on the organizer's Instagram post (@mica_schoolofideas); press coverage confirms the programme and support package but not the deadline.
Mitreo Film Festival Cultural Association
26th edition, 7-12 Dec 2026, Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Italy. International short film competition (max 15 min, authors under 35, produced from 1 Jan 2024) on the theme 'The Marching Band'; winner receives a Mithraeum sculpture and a chance to have a work produced by the association. Entry fee 5 euros for this category.
Huesca International Film Festival Foundation
6th edition, 22-27 February 2027 in Huesca, Spain, for mountain, adventure and nature shorts, with cash awards plus animation, screenplay, audience, Ibero-American and Pyrenees-shot awards and a touring programme.
Amount€6,000 total cash awards (Best Short Film €3,000; Best Adventure and Sports Short Film €1,500; Best Short Film on Culture and Nature €1,500)
ZeitZeug Festival e.V. (Ruhr-Universität Bochum)
Short film section (third time) at ZeitZeug Festival, Bochum, 21-25 Apr 2027; films screened at a local arthouse theatre; selected filmmakers offered artist fee, catering, accommodation if needed, and travel costs per Landesreisekostengesetz NRW; one invited person per project.
Miniboxoffice (Search Light International Film Festival)
4th edition, screening and awards in Mumbai on 5 Dec 2026. Shorts up to 60 min, features, documentaries, animation, music videos and web series. Unusual model: submit free for preview and pay the entry fee only if selected (40 euros professional short, 37 euros student short). Winners receive trophy and certificates.
Associazione culturale Ennio Flaiano
Festival 26-27 Nov 2026 in Pescara, Italy. Free entry. Shorts and documentaries up to 16 minutes, produced after 1 Jan 2026. Cash prizes in four open sections; note the prize is only awarded if the prizewinner attends in person.
Amount€500 (Scrittura e Immagine and Animacorto sections); €200 (Spazio Abruzzo and Cortoambiente sections)
Busan Asian Film School (AFiS)
8-month International Film Business Academy course in Busan, March to October 2027, for executive producers, policymakers and business practitioners, covering financing, marketing, distribution, film law and policy. Distinct from the Producing Track already in the dataset. Applications 14 Oct to 11 Nov 2026, 6pm Korean time.
Busan Asian Film School (AFiS)
8-month producing programme in Busan, March to October 2027, for about 20 selected Asian filmmakers. Fellows develop a feature-length project with lectures on investment, film policy, marketing and distribution. Tuition covered by a full scholarship, with round-trip airfare reimbursement for non-Korean fellows and dormitory accommodation.
AmountFull scholarship (tuition, airfare reimbursement, dormitory accommodation)
Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with MyGov
Create a short, engaging and informative reel on cybercrime red flags and safe online practices. Reels must be vertical 9:16, maximum 90 seconds, in Hindi, English or any Indian regional language. Top 3 entries may receive I4C/Cyber Dost goodies, a certificate, a memento and featuring on official platforms.
MyGov, Government of India
National cultural storytelling contest building a collection of 100 Stories of India. Formats include short video/reel (30-60 seconds), illustrated story, digital storytelling, short documentary-style video (60 seconds) and creative visual narrative (30-60 seconds), in any language. Deadline per MyGov task listing: End Date 15/11/2026 11:45 pm.
AmountRs 500 Digi Haat Coupon for each of the top 100 winners
MusicAtlas
Grant helping filmmakers discover licensable commercial music via Robin; one recipient gets $1,000 toward real licensing fees paid to rights holders; recipient plus up to 10 Official Selections share $5,000+ in awards/services (financing guidance, distribution, marketing, localization, mentorship, subtitling/dubbing).
Amount$1,000 toward music licensing; $5,000+ total awards and resources
Light Cone
2 to 3 week residency for emerging and established film artists with short, medium or feature projects where shooting is complete and editing is advanced. Experimental cinema only; proposals to re-grade older films are not examined. Session runs 4 January to 30 July 2027; session closes once 30 submissions are received. Submission requires a 30 Euro association membership, free for filmmakers under 30.
MyGov, Government of India
Reel challenge celebrating local and Made in India products: handloom, local art and handicrafts, traditional and regional products, local food and handmade products. Participants buy or use a local product, capture the experience as a creative reel, post it on social media and submit the entry on MyGov. Note: deadline from the primary MyGov Art and Culture listing (1 Oct-20 Nov 2026); one secondary listing gave 31 Oct 2026, which conflicts with the primary listing.
Amount₹5,000 cash reward each (Top 100 selected Reels)
Troy Bernier (Festival Registrar)
13th-edition genre festival (event Feb 19-21, 2027, Palmetto Bay, USA) covering sci-fi, horror, fantasy, animation and music videos, with dedicated Student Short Film and Scientific MicroDoc categories.
Cartagena International Film Festival (FICCI)
66th edition in Cartagena, Colombia, 6-11 April 2027. 11 sections including official competitions and a work-in-progress section, submitted via FestHome. Academy Awards qualifying for Best Documentary Feature and Best Short Film.
Moving Picture Institute (MPI)
Lab taking filmmakers from initial concept through a producible short film script, with screenwriting workshops followed by directing workshops and fellowship grants for accepted filmmakers. 2027 theme: For the Greater Good, stories exploring tension between collective goals and individual freedom. At least one filmmaker receives a $10,000 grant, script acquisition and further development with MPI.
Amount$10,000 grant to at least one selected filmmaker
Arctic International Film Festival Golden Raven (Chukotka Autonomous Okrug Department of Culture and Tourism)
11th edition, 29 Mar-11 Apr 2027, Anadyr, Chukotka, Russia. Free entry. International competitions for feature, documentary, animated and AI films plus shorts under 52 minutes; competition films must address Arctic or northern topics, indigenous peoples, nature or human-nature interaction. Foreign applicants submit via Festhome. Note content must not contradict Russian Federation legislation.
Canudo ETS
24th edition, 26-30 Dec 2026, Bisceglie, Puglia, Italy. Free entry for experimental and non-narrative short films and video works up to 30 minutes, completed on or after 1 Jan 2024. Competition awards are production grants for new unpublished works (amount unstated); no premiere status required and works already online are eligible. Note: deadline rests on secondary source expcinema.org; the FilmFreeway page confirms the call, organizer and free entry but does not render a deadline in fetched text.
From the Heart Productions
Grant for student filmmakers who need help starting or finishing a film. Winner receives $3,000 cash plus donated services and consultations. Note: secondary listings report a $28 application fee. Check the application form before applying, since the primary page does not state the fee.
Amount$3,000 plus donated services
Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF)
Short film nominations for DPIFF 2027 across five categories: Best Short Film, Best Documentary Short Film, Best Animated Short Film, Best Student Short Film and Best AI Short Film. Live nomination form at https://dpiff.in/nomination/.
Amount₹1,40,000 total prize pool; ₹1,00,000 for Best Short Film
International Kolkata Short Film Festival (IKSFF)
7th edition, online and offline in Kolkata, 18-24 Jan 2027. Categories: short film, long short, short documentary, animation, environmental short, AI short, music video, advertisement/commercial and PSA. Entry fee applies; note the page states an official selection does not guarantee screening, and terms allow broad reuse of submitted material, so read the rules before entering.
Khajuraho International Film Festival (founded by Raja Bundela)
12th edition, 16-23 Dec 2026, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Free entry, no fees. Competitive sections for international features, shorts (up to 30 min), documentaries and animation, plus a student and debut section. Awards are certificates only, no cash or trophies.
Pimpri Chinchwad International Film Festival (PCM Film Club)
5th season of PCIFF, 25-28 Feb 2027 in Pune, Maharashtra. Call for entries across six categories (short film, documentary, 60-second film, feature, animation, student film); submissions via FilmFreeway. Announced by @pimprichinchwadfilmfestival (5K followers, posted 2026-10-08).
XX Element Project
10th edition, 12-18 Apr 2027, Porto, Portugal. Competitions for fiction, documentary, animation and experimental shorts (up to 60 min) and features. Official, GRRL* and Thematic competitions are for films directed by women and/or non-binary people; the XX Element competition is open to men and mixed-gender teams whose films advance gender equality, women's rights or LGBTQIA+ rights. Extended fee 12 euros; fee waivers available on justified request.
Filminitiative Dresden e.V.
39th edition, 13-18 Apr 2027, Dresden, Germany. One of Europe's best-endowed short film festivals. International Competition accepts short fiction and animation (including hybrid forms) under 30 minutes; documentaries and experimental films go to special programmes. No premiere status required. Submission fee 10 euros; screening copies must be 35mm or DCP.
Akademie der Künste (with E-WERK Luckenwalde, JUNGE AKADEMIE, Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art and VISIT, E.ON Foundation)
Four fully funded fellowships for artists from around the world working in visual art, performance, film, installation, sound, writing and new media. Residency September to November 2027 at E-WERK Luckenwalde or Akademie der Künste Berlin, with a retreat at Ujazdowski Castle, Warsaw, and a closing symposium in October 2027. Fellows live and work on site at least 75 percent of the time.
National Geographic Society (with support from Lilly Endowment Inc.)
Storytelling grants for projects that illuminate human histories, cultures and religions, including documentary film, photography, podcasts and oral histories. Level I is for storytellers establishing themselves who have not yet received a National Geographic grant; Level II is for more established applicants.
AmountUp to US$20,000 (Level I) / up to US$100,000 (Level II)
Hamptons International Film Festival
27th edition of the Screenwriters Lab, an intimate weekend gathering in East Hampton, NY, pairing selected fellows with established writers and creative producers for one-on-one mentorship. Lab dates 9 to 11 April 2027.
Jewish Film Institute
Finishing funds for original independent films and media projects (narrative, documentary, shorts, episodic, web series) exploring Jewish history, life, culture and identity. Phase 1 applications open 15 Oct 2026; Phase 2 by invitation (deadline 3 Mar 2027).
Amount$5,000-$30,000
NRDC Rewrite the Future, with The Black List, The Redford Center, NBCUniversal and CAA Community + Impact
Sixth annual fellowship selecting three writers to revise a completed feature screenplay or television pilot that engages meaningfully with climate change. Fellows receive creative support and six months to complete a revision. Maximum 500 qualified scripts accepted; submissions via The Black List only.
Amount$20,000 per fellow (three fellows)
TorinoFilmLab
Three online modules with group script tutoring on inclusive, climate-aware stories, for writers with a fiction feature at treatment stage, not a finished screenplay. Participation fee if selected: EUR 2,000 per team of up to 2, plus VAT if due; half-fee scholarships available.
Jaipur International Film Festival Trust - JIFF
19th Jaipur International Film Festival, 8-12 January 2027, Jaipur. Short Films and Creative Categories: Short Fiction, AI Short, OTT Short, Documentary Short, Animation Short, Ad Film, Web Series, Mobile Film, Best Photograph. Short-category fee at Extended/Final stage Rs 3000 / $60. Also includes the JIFF 2 to 7-Minute Movie Making Competition 2026 (2nd Phase, 2nd Edition) under JIFF's National Education Initiative: 2-7 minute films, participation fee Rs 1500 per film per team, prize INR 1,00,000/-, results January 2027. (Two JIFF calls combined into one entry because both share the single jiffindia.org/deadline.php page; merge dedupes on URL.)
AmountUp to 5000000 (80000$) (*Depends on Govt. Support)
FRAMES student association
Student-run international short film festival in Grenoble, France, organized by the FRAMES student association of around twenty film students.
Odds & Ends Experimental Film Festival (Co-Directors: Rachel Lane, Jason Robinson, Anna Hogg)
5th edition, 19-20 February 2027 at Light House Studio, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, dedicated to experimental short films.
Friss Hus Budapest Kft.
Budapest short film festival (May 27 - Jun 2, 2027 per FilmFreeway event dates) with international competitions for live action, animation and documentary shorts, plus genre sidebars.
AmountMonetary prizes (amounts unstated)
Center for Asian American Media (CAAM)
45th edition, May 2027, San Francisco Bay Area, in person. One of the leading showcases for Asian and Asian American talent, running since 1982. Features (41+ min) and shorts (40 min and under), including music videos and episodics. Normal fee $40; fee waivers for alumni and limited need-based discounts. Strict eligibility: only films about the Asian American experience qualify. Note: primary FilmFreeway page says 14 Dec 2026; a secondary listing says 18 Dec 2026; primary date used.
Panchajanyam Film Society
Competition run with the 17th Panchajanyam International Film Festival (22-28 January 2027, Kairali-Sree Theatres, Chittur, Palakkad). Films produced after 1 January 2026; short and campus films max 30 minutes; films in languages other than Malayalam or English need English subtitles. Entry fee ₹500.
AmountBest Short Film: ₹10,000; Best Documentary: ₹10,000; Best Campus Film: ₹5,000
Visions du Réel
Four-day workshop during VdR–Industry days (11–14 Apr 2027) in Nyon, Switzerland, for four feature documentary projects seeking feedback on their rough cut from experienced editors and industry professionals, plus curated meetings with buyers. Submission fee CHF 30 early / CHF 40 final; CHF 200 participation fee if selected; fee waivers available for productions from listed countries.
Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
YIDFF 2027 in Yamagata, Japan, 7-14 October 2027. Open call for the International Competition and New Asian Currents. Selected directors are invited with expenses covered by YIDFF.
Amount1,500,000 yen
TorinoFilmLab
Development lab for original fiction TV series with market potential. A producer with a letter of interest is required; no director required and no credit requirement. Documentary series are not accepted. Note: deadline rests on a secondary source (The PreList, 19 Oct) stating it rechecked the official page; the official TFL programme URL was not directly fetched this run.
IndieLisboa International Film Festival
24th IndieLisboa in Lisbon, 29 April - 9 May 2027. International Competition for emerging filmmakers plus Silvestre, IndieMusic and other sections.
Amount€4,000
National Film Academy, Thiruvananthapuram
National short film festival in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, built around the theme 'Jeevitham Thanne Lahari - The Ultimate High'. Festival and awards tentatively January 2027.
Darbhanga International Film Festival
14th edition, submissions via FilmFreeway (worldwide) or Google Form (Indian residents). International, National and Regional categories, each with feature, short, documentary, animation and music video sub-categories. Films must have been made in 2024, 2025 or 2026 and subtitled in English or Hindi; prizes and certificates awarded (no amounts stated on the page).
Village Talkies Entertainments
Short film and documentary festival following the completed VTIFF 26 feature festival, inviting submissions from independent filmmakers globally. No prize amounts, eligibility details or 2027 venue are stated on the homepage; only the deadline ladder is published.
Film Critics Guild (Critics' Choice Awards)
Feature-length documentary entries (above 50 minutes) for the Critics' Choice Awards. NOTE: the short-film deadline on the same page was 25 October 2026 and has now passed, so this entry covers the documentary strand only.
Yuva International Short Film Festival (YISFF)
Student-only international short film festival in Chennai, with International, Indian and Tamil Nadu shorts categories (under 30 minutes). Winners receive a trophy, medal and certificate; awards announced at the Feb-Mar 2027 screening. Held-over claim from the 2026-10-26 run, re-verified live this run. Indian Shorts fee $12-15.
Busan International Short Film Festival Committee
44th edition, 22 to 27 April 2027 in Busan, Korea. International Competition and Korean Competition for short films completed after January 2026, under 30 minutes including credits, all genres. Films must be Korean premieres. Submissions via FilmFreeway, Festhome or Shortfilmdepot.
TorinoFilmLab, National Museum of Cinema
Financial support for internationally co-produced films in post-production, to implement audience engagement and outreach strategies, with mandatory Audience Design Consultancy. Distribution must be completed by October 2028. Note: deadline rests on a secondary source (fundsforngos.org, 30 Oct) stating it rechecked the official page; the official TFL programme URL was not directly fetched this run.
Amount€45,000 per grant (two grants)
African and international cinema. 2027 edition runs 15-25 Jul 2027; call verified via DIFF 2027 call page (ccadiff.ukzn.ac.za).
American Black Film Festival (ABFF)
Oscar-qualifying short film award at ABFF 2027, 20 to 23 May 2027 in Los Angeles. Five finalists screen before a jury. Maximum runtime 20 minutes including credits. Films must have completed post-production on or after 1 January 2026 and must have had no prior broadcast, cable or online exhibition.
FEST — New Directors | New Films Festival
23rd edition in Espinho, Portugal, 19-27 June 2027. Competitive and non-competitive showcase of new figures and works in world cinema, via FilmFreeway or Festhome.
Vero Beach Film Festival
VBFF 2027 in Vero Beach, Florida, 8-11 April 2027. Narrative features, documentaries, shorts, comedy, student films and the Vero Visions category. Selected filmmakers receive festival passes and home-host accommodation offers.
Amount$100-$300
International Screenwriters Association
Fellowship for feature and TV pilot writers, with Fast Track Week in the week of 10 May 2027. Original narrative feature screenplays and narrative TV pilots only; no shorts, novels, treatments or documentaries. Scripts must be in English and fees paid in US dollars.
MacDowell
Residency fellowship at MacDowell in New Hampshire: private studio, accommodation and meals, 10 days to 8 weeks, for residencies 1 Sep 2027 – 29 Feb 2028. About 300 fellowships awarded per year across disciplines; sole criterion is artistic excellence.
AmountNo residency fee; need-based stipends and travel grants available
Kelvin Cinema Festival
Short film festival in Shillong (14-17 Apr 2027) with two competitions: India Competition and a Meghalaya Competition reserved for filmmakers originally from Meghalaya and currently residing there. Films 10-25 minutes, completed on or after 1 Jan 2025, must be North-East India premieres and not previously released on OTT/YouTube/social media. Note: an older search snippet showed 30 Nov 2026, but the live 2027-edition page states 20 Feb 2027; the live page was used.
Amount₹3,00,000
Alternativa Film Festival (founded and supported by inDrive)
Fourth edition, first African edition, held in late 2027 (host country and city to be announced). Fiction, documentary, animation and hybrid films completed after 1 January 2026. Feature films (40 minutes or longer) accepted from Africa, Asia and Latin America; short films accepted only from Africa this edition. Free to submit.
Amount$120,000 prize fund across seven awards
From the Heart Productions
Annual Spring cycle of the Roy W. Dean Grant for independent films that are unique and make a contribution to society. Open to documentaries, narrative features, short films and web series with budgets of $500,000 or less. Cash award generally $3,000 to $3,500 plus donated goods and services; every applicant receives a free 15-minute consultation.
Amount$3,000-$3,500 cash plus donated services
Documentary projects on social realities
Production rebate and local spend
Documentary craft, financing and impact
Feature fiction, documentary and animation
Indian and international short films
National film production finance
Assamese film development and production
Moving image, media art and cultural practice
Collaborative filmmaking academy
Feature documentary and creative non-fiction
Short films and independent cinema
World cinema, shorts, features and new forms
Development, talks, mentorship and networking
Feature film production and distribution
Development, production and completion finance
Short film development and emerging talent
Up to state-defined production subsidy
Production incentive for films shot in Bihar
Northeast Indian cinema and shorts
Production and distribution finance
Travel to festivals, labs and co-production forums
Script development, production and post
Asian cinema and emerging filmmakers
Arab, African and world cinema
World cinema, shorts and features
Early-stage documentary development
Documentary grants, mentorship and career support
Development and production finance
First and second feature development
Project development and financing
Independent film production and circulation
Short fiction, animation and documentary
Feature film production finance
Development, distribution and audience support
Feature, documentary and talent support
Regional outreach and film training
Documentary project development
Independent Indian and world cinema
Climate and environmental storytelling
Documentary projects expanding form and audience
Creative producing and impact strategy
Documentary lab and pitching
Rough-cut feedback and post strategy
Documentary development, production, post and impact
Development, production and post for fiction and documentary
Creative producing and co-production
Feature fiction, documentary and animation
Producer, market, financing and distribution sessions
Film preservation and archival practice
Documentary development and mentorship
Narrative screenwriting development
Science and technology themed fiction
Malaysian production and co-production support
Production, distribution and internationalisation
Editing, rough cut and finishing strategy
Short workshops in documentary, screenwriting and filmmaking
Production incentive and spend support
Film production and location support
Documentary impact campaigns and partnerships
State production support
Northeast Indian and world cinema
Short and feature film production support
Local and co-production support
Asian and international cinema
Documentary production and mentorship
Feature film development, production and post
Women’s cinema and Asian film
Documentary development and production
Documentary storytelling and production
International promotion and co-production support
State production subsidies and rebates
Documentary and short film
Documentary cinema and workshops
Indian and international cinema
Independent, experimental and world cinema
International co-production support
Independent and experimental cinema
Asian cinema
Regional production and incentives
Regional film education and short courses
Production facilities and regional film support
Regional film production and infrastructure
Indian, Asian and world cinema
Production, promotion and co-production
Project development and industry meetings
Auteur, independent and emerging cinema
Project development, training and co-production
Production rebate and location support
Screenings, discussions and emerging filmmaker sessions
Indian and international independent cinema
Practical filmmaking, screenwriting and acting
Mexican feature film development and production
Adventure, environment and social-impact films
Manipuri cinema development and production
Documentary, short fiction and animation
Film development, production and training
Storytelling, direction, acting, camera, editing, sound and digital safety
Feature, documentary and animation finance
Development, production and post
Regional cinema, documentaries and production support
Project pitching and co-production finance
Production incentives and permissions
Finishing, feedback and industry connections
Introductory directing, acting, writing and editing
Development, production and international co-production
Short and experimental film
Regional production and location support
Documentary and journalism-led film projects
Environmental and activist documentaries
Production and co-production training
Film development, production and promotion
Government of Punjab (Invest Punjab)
State film promotion policy rolled out 15 March 2026 at the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit in Mohali. Offers a capital subsidy on production costs incurred in Punjab plus a single-window shooting permission system through the Invest Punjab portal. A Film City in Mohali is planned. Note: URL is the All India Radio (government) report of the rollout; no single official policy page URL was verified.
Amount25% capital subsidy up to ₹3 crore per film, documentary or web series; 30% up to ₹3.5 crore for Punjabi-language films
Location incentives and production support
Indian and international cinema
Development, production and post
Arab, Asian and African cinema
Feature-length science and nature documentaries
Southeast European and world cinema
Documentary development and production
Eligible production offset and finance
Development, production and post finance
Production roles and professional skills
Regional cinema and emerging filmmakers
Documentary production and post
Narrative films with social justice themes
International features and Asian cinema
Documentary cinema and industry
Documentary pitching and industry meetings
Production, development and audience support
Southeast Asian and international cinema
Independent feature film production
Production spend and co-production support
Film, television and media craft workshops
Documentary editing and story development
Feature documentary development, production and post
Independent fiction, documentary and shorts
Mentorship and workshops for young filmmakers
Feature screenplay development
Development, production and distribution
International co-production and promotion
Independent, genre and new media work
Film education, mentorship and networking
Feature project development
International short films
Short films and emerging creative voices
Feature, documentary and co-production finance
Development, production and post
Asian and international cinema
Feature project development and financing
Feature development and production awards
International features, documentaries and discovery
Independent film, documentary and new media
Narrative short film development
Film, sound, photography, animation and design
International co-production and distribution
Film Bandhu, Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh
Film Bandhu is UP's nodal agency for film production support under the state film policy. Its portal publishes a subsidy application roadmap (registration, Rs. 100,000 processing fee, script committee approval, preview committee approval, finance committee approval, then subsidy grant) and a free shooting-permission route with an online NOC from the District Magistrate. Page live with notices dated 29 October 2026.
International competition and shorts
Documentary and non-fiction cinema
Film production, acting, writing and design
Feature film production and post
Women in Film India (WIF India) x Google Flow
Pan-India short film contest run by WIF India (verified IG, 37.5K followers; official page womeninfilmindia.org/filmathon1/). Films up to 5 minutes using Google Flow; Flow watermark must remain visible; original work; U/A content; mandatory social-media post of the film before submission. Official replies confirm registration closes 12 Oct 2026 (11:59 pm IST) and film submission by 24 Oct 2026. Prizes: 1st Rs 12L, 2nd Rs 8L, 3rd Rs 4L (taxable); top 5 showcased at IFFI Goa 2026 with accommodation + economy round-trip flight for the showcase. CORRECTION 2026-10-12: the official page states WIF India and the competition do NOT provide or reimburse Google Flow subscriptions/credits; participants arrange and pay for their own Flow access. Organizers get a royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide license to market/host/display all submitted films.
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
6th edition of the national young-filmmaker talent program held alongside the 57th IFFI in Goa (20 to 28 November 2026). Selects 100 youth talents across 13 film crafts for workshops, masterclasses and the 48-hour filmmaking challenge.
Worldwide Media Private Limited (Filmfare)
Filmfare's national short film awards; entries open on the official Filmfare entry portal. Shorts up to 30 minutes, MP4 under 500 MB, submitted online.
Jagran Film Festival (Dainik Jagran)
Funding opportunity under the Jagran Film Festival: a Rs 1,00,000 grant for filmmakers with a script and a team. Announced by @jagran_filmfestival (44.3K followers, posted 2026-10-08); submission via QR link. Festival dates 28-31 Oct 2026 at Fun Republic Mall, Andheri West, Mumbai.
AmountRs 1,00,000 grant
Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Jharkhand
Government-run forest film festival in Ranchi (Nov 28-30, 2026) with competitive and non-competitive strands for documentaries (long/short), animation and student films. Entry is free and submissions close Oct 20, 2026.
Netherlands Film Fund and Hubert Bals Fund (IFFR)
Funds the realisation of an international co-production with a Dutch minority co-producer, for projects that already received Hubert Bals Fund Script and Project Development support. Up to four co-productions per year; total production budget must not exceed 1.2M EUR.
AmountMax EUR 75,000
Doha Film Institute
Online lab for emerging screenwriters and writer-directors to complete a new draft of an original short film screenplay with international mentors, running 30 November to 12 December 2026. Combines one-to-one mentorship with group sessions and a follow-up draft review. Participation fee QAR 1,000 (about $275).
Seoul International Food Film Festival Association
12th edition, 10-13 December 2026 in Sokcho, South Korea, with an International Short Film Competition and a Korean Short Film Competition for food-themed shorts.
Glasgow Short Film Festival (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, charity SC049556)
20th edition of Scotland's largest competitive short film festival, 17-21 March 2027 in Glasgow, with international and Scottish competitions including the Bill Douglas Award for International Short Film.
Raindance
Original creative 60-second horror short films on the theme An Unexpected Twist. Enter by emailing a YouTube, Vimeo or Google Drive link to competition@raindance.co.uk. Winner receives a free Raindance Film Festival pass and screening at Raindance 2027.
Central Coalfields Limited (CCL)
Two short-film categories within five competitions ahead of CCL's National PR Conclave 2026 (4-5 November 2026, Ranchi). First, second, third and one consolation prize per the brochure; prize amounts not stated in reports. Selected films will be screened at the conclave. Registration is via a form linked to a QR code in CCL's competition brochure (no direct application URL published); entry confirmed by three consistent news reports (Jharkhand Inc, The Newsman of India, Infralog) as no CCL primary page was found.
COE Association (FESCAAAL)
36th edition in Milan, 12-21 March 2027. Windows on the World Feature Film Competition plus African Short Films and Extr'A competitions. Submission is free of charge.
Amount8,000 euros
Bachchu Kadu (announced via @prahar_chitrapat)
National short film competition (presented as the Eknathji Shinde National Short Film Competition) with a Rs 11 lakh total prize pool across six civic themes (Ladki Bahin, debt-free farmer, support for divyang, common man to chief minister, etc.). Free entry; films 1-3 minutes. Small organizer account (293 followers) but a named public organizer.
AmountRs 11,00,000 total prize pool across six themes
Shore Scripts
Annual short film fund for emerging writers, directors and producers. Grand prize: $15,000 cash production grant plus free ARRI camera rental and mentorship; separate $4,000 finishing funds grant for completed shorts needing post-production help. Accepts narrative shorts (live action and animation), including proof-of-concept shorts for TV series and features.
Amount$15,000 production grant and $4,000 finishing funds
Pune International Film Festival (recognized as the official festival of the Government of Maharashtra)
Silver jubilee edition of PIFF, scheduled 14 to 21 January 2027 in Pune. Open competitive festival with World Competition, Marathi Competition, Global Cinema and student sections. Festival states selected films screen online and in theaters.
AmountRs 10,00,000 Best International Film (director and producer) and Rs 5,00,000 Best International Director; submission fee USD 25
Government of Maharashtra + Maharashtra Film Stage & Cultural Development Corporation + Nirmiti Media
9th edition of the Pune festival, 11-13 Dec 2026 at the NFAI auditorium, Pune. The official festival account (@asfpune) announced an extended film submission deadline of 31 Oct 2026; submissions via FilmFreeway and the festival website asfpunefestival.com. Cash prizes, trophies and certificates for feature and short film winners.
The Association of People with Disability (APD), Bengaluru
Nationwide competition by APD (founded 1959, Bengaluru) inviting photography and videography documenting the everyday lives of people with disabilities. Videography entries under 120 seconds (MP4, 1080p+, English subtitles mandatory), with a narrative statement about the subject. Rs 10 lakh total prize pool, mentorship by jury members including R Balki and Santosh Sivan. Nominal Rs 300 registration fee per entry.
AmountRs 10,00,000 total prize pool across categories
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, implemented through Prasar Bharati
Pilot initiative inviting 1-3 minute videos showcasing a district's culture, heritage, tourism, traditions, cuisine, art and inspiring local stories, submitted via the MyWAVES section of the WAVES OTT platform. Awards at district, state/UT and national levels. Note: the 31 Oct 2026 deadline extension was confirmed via a secondary reproduction of the directorate notice, not the PIB original.
AmountDistrict level: ₹50,000 per award (up to 20 per district); State/UT level: ₹2 lakh each; National level: ₹5 lakh each
Trending Now Media (supported by NFDC and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India)
Third edition of GAFF in Guwahati, 11-14 February 2027, with submissions open now on FilmFreeway. For the first time the festival is accepting short films, with dedicated Indian Shorts and Focus North East India categories.
From the Heart Productions
Grant for independent films that are unique and make a contribution to society. Open to documentaries, narrative features, shorts, web series and multimedia projects. Winner receives $3,500 cash plus $20,000+ in donated services and discounts. Note: secondary listings report a $48 application fee. Check the application form before applying, since the primary page does not state the fee.
Amount$3,500 plus $20,000+ in services and discounts
The Black List
One screenwriter receives an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2027 Sundance Film Festival (21 to 31 Jan 2027) with producer Cassian Elwes, plus a festival pass and meetings during the festival. Note: entry is by opting in on The Black List, which requires paid hosting and an evaluation. Check current Black List costs before opting in.
AmountAll-expenses-paid Sundance trip (no cash prize stated)
vivo India, in association with National Geographic Creative Works
Fourth edition of vivo's national imaging awards introduces a new Short Film category themed 'My City' for smartphone-shot short-form video. Entries open 23 September to 1 November 2026.
AmountGrand Winner Rs 5 lakh; all six category winners (including Short Film) receive a vivo X300 Ultra smartphone each
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Practical starting points for understanding each route and preparing an application.
Some film grants offer non-recoupable support for development, production or completion. Examples include the Sundance Documentary Fund, IDFA Bertha Fund, Doha Film Institute and Catapult; each has its own purpose, eligibility rules and application cycle.
Film funding can include state production subsidies, equity co-production funds, co-production markets and tax rebates. Examples include Eurimages, Hubert Bals Fund, CNC France, NFDC Film Bazaar and Busan ACF; their structures and requirements differ.
Workshops, screenplay labs and rough-cut editing programmes can support creative development. Examples include Sundance Screenwriters Lab, TorinoFilmLab, Berlinale Talents, Docedge Kolkata, NEFI Cinema Syllabus and FTII Workshops; formats and activities vary by host.
Film festivals can offer screenings, audience engagement and industry activity. Examples include international competitive festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlinale, Sundance, IFFR and Rotterdam; documentary festivals such as IDFA and CPH:DOX; and regional festivals such as IFFI Goa, MAMI and BVFF.
Application windows, fees and eligibility rules change. A reliable correction and submission channel is being prepared. Until then, check the linked source and, where available, the host organisation's official website.
NEFI listings support discovery and do not confirm that applications are currently open. Check the linked source and, where available, the host organisation's official website before applying.
