Register
Log in

12th SILIGURI SHORTFILM FESTIVAL (SSFF) 2025

Organised by: SILIGURI CINE SOCIETY

Festival Date: 11 – 14 Sept 2025

The Siliguri Shortfilm Festival (SSFF) has been created to celebrate the art of filmmaking and to honour the filmmakers who make it all possible. This is a festival dedicated to rewarding artists for their individual talents and for their creative expression through the medium of film. The festival strives to bring together in Siliguri filmmakers from all corners of India by promoting artistic and creative independent and experimental short and documentary films.

All the films will go through a reviewable process by our highly experienced juries, who will go through an evaluation process and select the films.

We aspire to promote, recognize and support independent filmmakers throughout India by hosting a variety of awards to provide the best opportunities for filmmakers, helping them receive recognition. We believe our film festival will give filmmakers a chance to showcase their work to a very wide range of audiences. We are very excited to review your film and observe the detailed creativity of your work!

We are accepting submissions for the following program:

Short Narrative Film

(Less than 30 minutes in length, including credits) 

AWARDS & PRIZES

All projects officially selected will receive the SSFF official laurel and the customized certificate of achievement according to their final status in the competition. Our jury will select the following winners from each category:

  1. Golden Elephant Award for the best shortfilm:

A cash prize of Rs. 10,000/- to be shared equally between the Director and the Producer. The Director is to be given the GOLDEN ELEPHANT trophy and a certificate in addition to the cash component. The producer will get a certificate in addition to the cash component.

  1. Silver Elephant Award for the 2nd best shortfilm:

A cash prize of Rs. 8,000/- to be shared equally between the Director and the Producer. The Director is to be given the SILVER ELEPHANT trophy and a certificate in addition to the cash component. The producer will get a certificate in addition to the cash component.

  • Bronze Elephant Award for the 3rd best shortfilm:

A cash prize of Rs. 6,000/- to be shared equally between the Director and the Producer. The Director is to be given the BRONZE ELEPHANT trophy and a certificate in addition to the cash component. The producer will get a certificate in addition to the cash component.

  1. Best Cinematographer Award:

A cash prize of Rs. 6,000/-, A TROPHY and a certificate will be presented to the best cinematographer.

  1. Audience Choice Award for a shortfilm:

A cash prize of Rs. 5,000/- to be shared equally between the Director and the Producer. The Director is to be given a MEDAL and a certificate in addition to the cash component. The producer will get a certificate in addition to the cash component.

  1. Chairman’s Choice Award for a shortfilm:

A cash prize of Rs. 5,000/- to be shared equally between the Director and the Producer. The Director is to be given a MEDAL and a certificate in addition to the cash component. The producer will get a certificate in addition to the cash component.

  • Certificates of Merit for three shortfilms:

Both the Producer and the Director will be given Certificates for Excellence in Production and Direction for three shortfilms

RULES & TERMS

  1. The Competition is open to filmmakers who are Indian nationals producing films in India.
  2. Shortfilms must be under 30 minutes in length including credits.
  3. Shortfilms must be fictional narrative films.
  4. Films submitted already in any previous edition of the SSDFF (Siliguri Short and Documentary Film Festivals are not eligible.
  5. The films must include English subtitles unless the spoken language is English.
  6. All fees are non-refundable.
  7. Any technical issues with the submitted films are fully the responsibility of the filmmakers. If, at the time of judging, your video file doesn’t work or doesn’t have English subtitles (if in a language other than English), it will be automatically rejected, without a refund. Please contact the festival team ASAP if there are any issues with the submission process, and a solution will be found.
  8. Films with poor production standards (bad sound, or video resolution less than 1080p HD) will be rejected.
  9. SSFF is a competitive event and unless notified otherwise, all films officially selected are eligible for competition. Not all submissions received are selected for SSFF.
  10. SSFF reserves the right to refuse to accept any submission deemed by the festival to be inappropriate.
  11. Films must be completed between 1st January 2023 and 31st July 2025 and duly authenticated by the entrant in the entry form.
  12. To complete your submission the festival requires a preview copy. Please submit the preview link of your film (with or without password) preferably in mp4 format (resolution not less than 1080p) through Vimeo/YouTube. The password (if any) of the YouTube/Vimeo link should be valid until Oct 01, 2025.
  13. Fill your entry form online through our website: siliguricinesociety.com
  14. Only selected films will be intimated by email. No letters of non-acceptance will be sent. List of selected films will be available on the website by 25th August 2025.
  15. The officially selected films must be available for festival screening on High Quality MP4 through Google Drive/OneDrive/Dropbox etc. (Required Resolution 1080p).
  16. Eminent Juries will be appointed by the Siliguri Shortfilm Festival (SSFF) Authority. No person with any involvement in the films entered in the competition will be present on the Jury.
  17. A minimum of at least 10 (ten) films is required for the competition to run.
  18. The filmmakers accept responsibility for all trademark and copyrighted materials, shown or recorded, on the project.
  19. Filmmakers agree that their film, or clips from it, and all other material related to their project may be used and/or published in the event program, festival website, social networking sites, blog, or for other Festival promotional purposes.
  20. Filmmakers promise to provide SSFF with a full electronic press kit that must include a trailer, images for web and print, cast & crew information, and film synopsis. We can’t promote you without your help.
  21. By submitting to us, you give us the right to screen your film in front of a live audience at the theatre chosen by the festival committee.
  22. We retain the right to change the date and venue of the festival under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed about any changes through our online platforms.
  23. The Chairman of the festival has the power to waive any of the above-mentioned rules.
  24. Any questions – feel free to contact us at siliguricinesocietyofficial@gmail.com

ENTRY SUBMISSION DEADLINES AND ENTRY FEES:

  • Early bird deadline: May 20, 2025, Entry Fees Rs. 500
  • Standard deadline: June 20, 2025, Entry Fees Rs. 700
  • Final deadline: July 20, 2025, Entry Fees Rs. 900
  • Extended deadline: August 2, 2025, Entry Fees Rs. 1500
  • Late Extended deadline: August 10, 2025, Entry Fees Rs. 2000

FILM SUBMISSION STARTS FROM MARCH 28, 2025

 Payment can be made electronically in the following accounts:

Account Name:     Siliguri Cine Society

A/C No:                 11168681419

IFSC Code:            SBIN0000184

Bank/Branch:        State Bank of India, Siliguri Branch

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

All correspondence should be made to the following address:

Address:                 Pradip Nag, Secretary, Siliguri Cine Society, HNAF, Saibal Mansion

16 Hill Cart Road, Siliguri-734001, Dist.-Darjeeling (WB)

Mob:                       +91-9434233833

Website:                 www.siliguricinesociety.com

Email:                     siliguricinesocietyofficial@gmail.com