Best Debut Indian Film
Rules & Regulations

1. Short Title

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), is a 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. This year, IFFI will also focus on Indian debut films, which will showcase a diverse range of narratives and cinematic styles of young filmmakers from across the country. These regulations shall be called Best Debut Indian Film Regulations for the 55th edition of International Film Festival India (IFFI), 2024 and shall come into force with immediate effect.

2. Definitions

In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise refers,

  • (a) “Board” means the Central Board of Film Certification.
  • (b) “Corporation” means National Film Development Corporation, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
  • (c) "Producer" is one who produces a film and also has the copyright of the film and can supply/authorize supply of digital copies/cinematographic prints from the laboratory for Jury or other screenings at Film Festival(s) of the selected films and may include an individual or a company or an Institute or any other such entity and shall include a co- producer also.
  • (d) "Eligibility Period" refers to the period from 1st August 2023 to 31st July 2024.
  • (e) "Entry" refers to the film for which the application for the award is made.

3. Aims and objectives

  • (a) To promote new and young talent by identifying and honoring debut films by Indian filmmakers, thereby, encouraging the growth of fresh talent in the film industry.
  • (b) To encourage new perspectives and creativity by recognizing and rewarding films that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling and filmmaking, demonstrating originality and creative vision.
  • (c) To foster global appreciation by providing a platform for debut films to reach a wider audience, both nationally and internationally.

4. SECTIONS

4.1 A maximum of 5 debut feature films showcasing the work of new directors who are contributing fresh perspectives and stories to Indian cinema shall be selected in accordance with the rules and regulations and shall be shown in the Best Debut Indian Film section.

4.2 Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film Award

Details are as under:

Award Name Description Awardee Award Component
Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film Award Presented to Indian Debut Director for his/her creative vision, artistic storytelling merit, and overall impact Director
  • Certificate to the Director
  • Cash Prize of Rs. 5 lakhs to the Director

4.3 If the film has more than one director, the cash prize will be equally divided between them.

5. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The following conditions must be fulfilled by all entries:

  • 5.1 The film should be in any Indian language. The Phrase "any Indian language" would mean all official languages of the State/ Union Territories of the Indian Union, all other Indian languages included in Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India and such other languages and dialects that may be permitted by the Government of India from time to time.  
    • 5.1.1 Silent Films will also be eligible.
    • 5.1.2 The Director should be an Indian national.
    • 5.1.3 The Producer of the film should be an Indian national and the film should have been produced in India. However, co-productions with the foreign entities are also acceptable.
  • 5.2 In the case of co-productions involving a foreign entity, the following conditions should be fulfilled:
    • 5.2.1 At least one of the co-producers must be an Indian entity.
    • 5.2.2 The Indian entity should be registered in India or a citizen of India.
    • 5.2.3 The title of the film should be registered as an Indian film title.
    • 5.2.4 The Director should be an Indian national. The cast and technicians should be predominantly Indian nationals.
    • 5.2.5 The applicant i.e. Producer/right holder(s) should have the right for sanctioning participation of the film in festivals in India and abroad as an Indian entry as well as special expositions of Indian cinema organized by the NFDC
  • 5.3 The completion of production of the films or certification by CBFC should be during the last 12 months preceding the festival i.e. 1st August, 2023 to 31st July, 2024. The applicant should submit a declaration stating the date of completion and the year of production in the format as mentioned at clause number 6.3 in the case of uncertified films by CBFC.
    • 5.3.1 If the film has been selected/screened in any Indian/International selection of a festival, it will be eligible for entry in the Best Debut Indian Film section in the same calendar year only.
    • 5.3.2 If a film selected for Best Debut Indian Film is not certified by CBFC, NFDC would take necessary action for seeking exemption as per Cinematography Act, 1952 for the festival screenings. However, as and when the film is certified by CBFC, the Producer should provide the certified version of the film to NFDC in the desired formats.
    • 5.3.3 A film (Censored or Un-censored) entered in the previous editions of IFFI will not be eligible for Best Debut Indian Film 2024.
  • 5.4 Films made in any Indian language shot on digital/video format and as a feature film or fiction above 72 mm duration, are eligible for the Best Debut Indian Film Section.
  • 5.5 ALL FILMS MUSTCARRYENGLISHSUBTITLES
  • 5.6 The films should be submitted in the prescribed entry form and format as per the regulations, within the given deadline for submission of films i.e. 23rd September, 2024 till 6.00 P.M. for submission of on-line application form and 30th September, 2024 till 6.00 P.M. for receipt of the stamped and signed hard copy of the submitted online application form along with the requisite material.
    • 5.6.1 A maximum of five (5) entries would be allowed from individuals, Producers, Production Units, Government organizations and companies/LLPs.
  • 5.7 Disqualification
    • 5.7.1 In the case of programmes originally made for television, entries sent in telecast format with commercial breaks, advertisements, channel logos/ IDs etc.
    • 5.7.2 Entries with captions such as "preview copy", organizational logos etc. However, if the screening copy bears the captions, it should be so faint as not to disturb the viewing experience.
    • 5.7.3 Dubbed/ Revised/ Remake/ Re-edited version of an Indian Film will not be eligible. All films must be presented in their original version/language.
    • 5.7.4 Films NOT subtitled in English. (Filmmakers may please ensure that subtitles are clear and readable. Subtitles should not merge with visuals/background. It would help the jury understand the right context and help evaluate the film better. All spoken words should be subtitled).
    • 5.7.5 Entries received in sub-standard quality of DCP (Unencrypted, DCI Compliant-J2K, NTFS file system, Interop or SMPTE DCP-Note: J2K, Interop DCP to be only in 24 fps)/ Blu-ray (region free PAL).
    • 5.7.6 An applicant would be disqualified automatically for consideration of his/her entry if it is found that he/she is influencing any member of the jury in and the decision of the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in this regard would be final and binding.
    • 5.7.7 If any of the declaration submitted by the applicants is found to be factually false or incorrect, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) reserves the right to reject the entry or even cancel the selection of the film after the final results/announcements. In such cases, where the false or incorrect declarations are found, the applicant would be barred for a period of three years to participate in any activities organized by the Corporation.
6.PROCEDUREFORSUBMITTINGFILMS

  • 6.1 The Producer(s) may apply on the prescribed entry Form I along with Form II. The online entry form and regulations of Best Debut Indian Film 2024 are available on the following websites: www.nfdcindia.com and www.iffigoa.org.
  • 6.2 Each entry form shall be accompanied by the material detailed below (a soft copy of the same to be sent to  bestdebut@nfdcindia.com).
  • 6.2.1 Acceptable formats for feature films are DCP-Unencrypted, DCI Compliant- J2K, NTFS file system, Interop or SMPTEDCP-Note: J2K, Interop DCP to be only in 24 fps or Blu-ray Disc (region free PAL). 6.2.2 Synopsis (precise and not exceeding two hundred words) of the film, Director & Producer's profile, Director's note in English and details of cast and crew (Soft copy of the same to be emailed to  bestdebut@nfdcindia.com)
  • 6.2.3 Also, the following should be sent separately by e-mail to bestdebut@nfdcindia.com
    • A. Film Stills (5nos) (200-300 dpi).
    • B. Director's working stills (2 nos) (200-300 dpi)
    • C. Producer's stills or Logo (200-300 dpi)
    • D. Posters
  • 6.3 Declaration
  • 6.3.1 The film is a debut feature film of the director.
  • 6.3.2 A declaration shall be furnished by the applicant, declaring that the information furnished in the entry form and other forms submitted is true to the best of his/her knowledge, that the DCP-Unencrypted (DCI Compliant-J2K, NTFS file system)/Blu-ray (region free PAL) of the Film being submitted as required under clause 6.2.1.
  • 6.3.3 It is also certified that the film is not a dubbed/revised/remake/ re-edited version of any film and has not been submitted earlier.
  • 6.3.4 The completion year of production of the film should be during the 12 months preceding the festival i.e. 1st August 2023 to 31st July 2024 and it should not have been screened in any Indian or International film festival before that period.
  • 6.4 In case the film is finally selected by the Jury, the following should be submitted immediately:-
  • 6.4.1 One DCP (Unencrypted, DCI Compliant-J2K) and 2 Blu-ray Discs (region free PAL) of the Film
  • 6.4.2 Three '3x2' posters of the film.
  • 6.4.3 A 30 second-60 seconds promo/trailer by email.
  • 6.4.4 Dialogue Sheets/subtitles file with timecode
  • 6.5 A non-refundable entry fee of Rs. 1000/- (including 18% GST) must be remitted online at the time of online entry form submission
  • 6.6 The last date for submission of On-Line applications is 23rd September, 2024 till 6.00 P.M. and the last date for receipt of the stamped and signed hard copy of the submitted online application form along with the requisite material is 30th September, 2024, in case 30th September, 2024 is declared a holiday, the next working day will be treated as the last date for receipt of Entries. Applications received after the last date may be rejected without any reference to the applicant. (Note: Both the versions (Online and Hard Copy) of application forms submitted by the applicants should be the same).
  • 6.7 The hard copy of the online entry form along with its adjoining material must be received by submission deadline at the following address:

    • Best Debut Indian Film Section, 2024
    National Film Development Corporation
    Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
    Government of India
    NFDC-FDComplex
    1st Floor, Old Building
    24, Dr. Gopalrao Deshmukh Marg
    Mumbai 400 026, Maharashtra
    Tel: 022 2353 3275/ 2083 0471

    Email: bestdebut@nfdcindia.com

    (All materials should be clearly labelled with "Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film Award, 2024", on their packages)

  • 6.8 Film can be submitted in any of the two formats i.e. DCP (Unencrypted, DCI Compliant- J2K, NTFS file system, Interop or SMPTE DCP-Note: J2K, Interop DCP to be only in 24 fps) or Blu-ray Disc (region free PAL).
  • 6.8.1 Please label the cover of the DCP/Blu-ray with the following details:
    • Titleofthefilm
    • ThenameoftheDirector
    • ThenameoftheProducer
    • Durationofthefilm
    • AspectRatioofthefilm
    • Originallanguageof the film
  • 6.9 All cost for sending the DCP (Unencrypted, DCI Compliant- J2K, NTFS file system, Interop or SMPTE DCP-Note: J2K, Interop DCP to be only in 24 fps)/ Blu-ray (region free PAL) and accompanying material to the NFDCshall be borne by the person entering the film(s).
  • 6.10 In case any of the requirements mentioned in this part of the Regulations are not complied with by the applicant, the entry is liable to be rejected summarily.
    • 7.SELECTION PROCESS

    • 7.1 Preview Committee
    • 7.1.1 The preview committee will be comprised of members distinguished in the field of cinema, and other allied arts from across India. 7.1.2 The preview committee will shortlist and recommend up to five (5) debut films from the eligible applications to the Jury for the selection of Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film Award, as specified in Clause 4 of the Regulations. These 5 movies will be screened at the Festival
    • 7.2 Jury
    • 7.2.1 Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film Award will be selected by a duly constituted Jury from the recommended films by the preview committee. Adequate representation may be made from the major regional production centers to serve on the juries. The Juries for selection shall comprise five (5) members (including the Chairperson). The jury will watch and evaluate the movies during the festival.
    • 7.2.2 The Jury members will determine their own work process. No recall of any film(s) shall be permissible once the recommendations are submitted by the preview committee. 7.2.3 A person will be ineligible to serve on a Jury ONLY if his/her own film is an entry. In the event of his/her close relative being associated with the particular film, the Jury member shall recuse himself/herself from the preview of the film.
    • 7.2.4 A person appointed as Chairperson or member of the jury shall make the declaration in writing in the form given in Form III annexed to these Regulations.
    • 7.2.5 The Jury Members shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding the deliberations/recommendations of films during panel screening and final screenings. In case of any violation by jury members, he/she would be debarred for life from becoming a jury member in Indian Panorama/National Film Awards/International Film Festival of India.
    • 7.2.6 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.
    • 7.2.7 The decision of the jury members shall be final and binding and no appeal or correspondence regarding their decision shall be entertained.

    8. RETURN OF DCP

    DCP/Blu-ray of films not selected will be returned to the producers shortly after the final meeting of the Selection Panel. The Corporation shall bear the cost of returning the DCP/Blu-ray discs to the address of the sender.

    9. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

    Should any dispute or difference arises between the Producer and the NFDC, the same shall be referred to the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, whose decision in the matter shall be final and binding on both the parties. The Arbitration Clause will not apply on the decision of Jury, which will be final and binding on both the National Film Development Corporation and the applicant for Best Debut Indian Film section.