Durgapur International Film Festival – A Journey of Cinema, Culture & Global Recognition

The Durgapur International Film Festival began under the initiative of Solis Institute of Acting & Arts – Durgapur, led by Debolina Modak Sadhu, and Tiyasha Movies – Kolkata, founded by Kajari Modak.
The inaugural edition in 2016, titled “Solis Short Film Festival – Durgapur,” showcased 25–30 short films, judged by experts from theatre and film.

✅ Season 2 – 2017

Screened 45–50 short films, and was graced by Legendary Actor Chinmay Roy, honoured with the **Lifetime Achievement Award**.

-✅ **Season 3**

Featured **100+ short films** across categories.
**Legendary Actor Biplab Chatterjee** received the **Lifetime Achievement Award**.

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### ✅ **Season 4 – January 2019**

Received **130+ entries** from India and abroad, with **35 top films** screened for expert juries.

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### ✅ **Season 5 – 2020 (Online Edition)**

Despite global lockdown, received **130+ Indian** and **40+ international** submissions.
This season honoured **Legendary Artist Chapal Bhaduri** with the **Lifetime Achievement Award**.

✅ **Season 6 – 2021**

Crossed **250+ submissions** from multiple countries, screened via **MyCinemaHall.com**.
This season honoured **Legendary Actress Lily Chakraborty** with the **Lifetime Achievement Award**.

✅ **Season 7 – 2022 (Kolkata Mega Edition)**

Received **350+ submissions** including short films, documentaries, music videos, and full-length films.
Hosted at **Jadavpur University**, Kolkata.

**Legendary Bengali Actress Anamika Saha** was felicitated with the **Lifetime Achievement Award**.

✅ **Season 8 – 2023**

Participation from **19+ countries** including Turkey, UAE, USA, Iran, Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Myanmar, Philippines, Greece, Mexico, Sweden, and the UK.

From **200+ entries**, **73 selected films** were screened from 9–11 October at **Muktangan, Rashbehari More, Kolkata**.

This season honoured **Legendary Actress Chhanda Chatterjee** with the **Lifetime Achievement Award**.

Celebrities present included **Krishna Kishor, Shankar Ghosh, Avrajit Chakraborty**, and **Sanjay Misra**, grandson of filmmaker **Sushil Mazumder**.
A total of **55 awards** were presented across **30 categories**.

✅ **Season 9 – 2024**

Held at **Dr. Triguna Sen Auditorium, Jadavpur University** from 24–26 September.
Screened **70 selected films** from **161 submissions**.

Eminent guests included:
**Lily Chakraborty, Mamata Shankar, Biplab Chatterjee, Tanima Sen, Debdut Ghosh, Vivek Banerjee**.

**Legendary Actress Smt. Madhabi Mukherjee** received the **Lifetime Achievement Award**.

Jury Panel:
**Ashok Viswanathan, Shila Datta, Sabyasachi Biswas, Kajari Modak**.

✅ **Season 10 – 2025**

Held at **Nandan, Kolkata** (2nd–6th July), with a grand closing ceremony at **Sujata Devi Smriti Sadan** on 7th July.

Featured **90+ films** from **20+ countries**, including short films, feature films, documentaries, and music videos.

Attended by **Rituparna Sengupta** and **Jaya Seal Ghosh**.
Jury Panel:
**Prof. Ashok Viswanathan, Sabyasachi Biswas, Megh Banerjee**.

**Legendary Actress Padma Shri Sabitri Chatterjee** received the **Lifetime Achievement Award**.

Festival Director **Debolina Modak Sadhu** and Festival Chairman **Kajari Modak** expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants and supporters.

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✅ **Season 11 – July 2026 | Nandan, Kolkata**

The 11th Durgapur International Film Festival returns to **Nandan** in July 2026.

Organized by **Tiyasha Movies** and **Prabha Blessing Foundation**, this edition will feature:

* New competitive categories
* International screenings
* Masterclasses & special tributes
* A global stage for filmmakers and cine lovers

**DIFF 2026** promises to continue its inspiring journey of celebrating world cinema with passion, creativity, and cultural unity.

Awards & Prizes

✅ **Awards & Recognitions – 11th Durgapur International Film Festival (DIFF) 2026**

**General Acknowledgements**

* **All selected Feature Films, Short Films, Music Videos, and Documentaries** will receive a **Trophy of Encouragement**.
* **All participants** will receive an **Official Certificate** from DIFF.
* **Cash Prizes** will be awarded to designated winning categories (mentioned below).

🎬 **Award Categories**

**Feature Film (Indian)**

1. **Best Feature Film (Indian) – Winner** *(Cash Prize)*
2. **Best Feature Film (Indian) – 1st Runner Up**
3. **Best Feature Film (Indian) – 2nd Runner Up**

**Feature Film (Foreign)**

4. **Best Feature Film (Foreign) – Winner**
5. **Best Foreign Film – 1st Runner Up**
6. **Best Foreign Film – 2nd Runner Up**

🎞️ **Direction & Technical Excellence**

7. **Best Director (Indian)**
8. **Best DOP / Cinematographer (Indian)**
9. **Best Editor (Indian)**
10. **Best Music / Best Singer (Indian)**

🎭 **Acting Awards**

11. **Best Actor – Male (Indian)**
12. **Best Actor – Female (Indian)**

📽️ **Documentary Film**

13. **Best Documentary Film – Winner (Indian/Foreign)** *(Cash Prize)*
14. **Best Documentary Film – 1st Runner Up**
15. **Best Documentary Film – 2nd Runner Up**

🎵 **Music Video Album**

16. **Best Music Video Album – Winner (Indian/Foreign)** *(Cash Prize)*
17. **Best Music Video Album – 1st Runner Up**
18. **Best Music Video Album – 2nd Runner Up**

🎥 **Short Film**

19. **Best Short Film – Winner** *(Cash Prize)*
20. **Best Short Film – 1st Runner Up**
21. **Best Short Film – 2nd Runner Up**

**Special Awards**

22. **Best Feature Film – Critics’ Choice**
23. **Best Debut Director**
24. **Jury’s Choice Awards**

Rules & Terms

✅ **RULES & TERMS**

1. **Short Film / Documentary Duration:** 1 minute to 30 minutes
2. **Music Video Duration:** 1 minute to 6 minutes
3. **Language:** Films may be in any language but **must include embedded English subtitles**
4. **Submission / Screening Format:** **MP4** (on DVD)
5. **Multiple Entries:** More than one entry may be submitted, but **each film must be sent in a separate envelope with a separate entry fee**
6. **Re-Submission Policy:** Any film submitted in **the last five seasons** of DIFF is **not eligible** for re-submission
7. **Selection Notification:** Only Directors/Producers of **selected films** will be notified. Final lists of **Selections & Winners** will be published on the official website/portal
8. **Rights of the Committee:** The Festival Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any film without assigning any reason
9. **Jury Decision:** The Jury’s decision is **final** and binding. No correspondence will be entertained

### **Awards & Recognition**

* **Cash Prizes, Mementos & Certificates** will be awarded to top winners as mentioned in the Award Section
* Other awardees will receive **Mementos & Certificates**
* **All selected films** (Short Film / Documentary / Music Video / Feature Film) will receive a **Certificate of Participation**

✅ **SUBMISSION DETAILS**

Submit your film **by post or in person** at the collection centre, along with the following materials:

**Submission Checklist**

* **Two DVDs** containing the MP4 film file
*(Write the Film Title & Director’s Name clearly)*
* **One A4 Size Colour Poster**
* **English Synopsis** (150 words)
* **Cast & Crew Details**
* **Director’s Bio-data** with

* 2 passport-size photographs
* 1 copy of ID proof (Voter / Aadhaar / PAN / Passport etc.)
* **Submission Fee** —

* *Cash* (if submitted in person)
* *Online transfer screenshot/receipt* (if submitted by post)
* **Director/Producer Contact Details**

✅ **ONLINE FEE SUBMISSION**

**Name:** Tiyasha Movies 2012
**Account Number:** 00220200000995
**IFSC Code:** BARB0LAKEMA

✅ **POSTAL / PHYSICAL SUBMISSION ADDRESS**

**Tiyasha Movies**
111, Bansdroni Govt. Colony
Kolkata – 700070
**Phone:** +91 8697072661 / 8017713055

✅ **EMAIL SUBMISSION (FILES + PAYMENT RECEIPT)**

📩 **[durgapurinternational2016@gmail.com](mailto:durgapurinternational2016@gmail.com)**
37 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Hem Chandra Borah

    Our feature film has won award in the festival but initially could not get an update from the organizers about the details of the awards. Nor their website is live.

    Thank you for your response and the trophy which is finally received at our end. Website would help bridge this gap.

    August 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Greetings from DIFF.

    We are sorry for any inconvenience caused. Your award was dispatched by courier many days ago. If you have not yet received it, please contact us at +91 94337 13021 so we can check the details and assist you immediately.

    Thank you for your understanding, and congratulations once again on your win.

  • TeamPriya ParamitaPaul

    They are really nice people. Treated each filmmakers well

    August 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words and positive feedback. We truly appreciate your support and are glad you felt welcomed at the festival. Encouragement like yours inspires us to keep doing our best for filmmakers.

  • Pranabesh Basu Ray

    Wonderful experience, Great Hospitality... Amezing ☺️

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words and positive feedback. We truly appreciate your support and are glad you felt welcomed at the festival. Encouragement like yours inspires us to keep doing our best for filmmakers.

  • SHANTANU GOSWAMI

    We were honoured to have Second Chances featured in the International Category at the Durgapur International Film Festival this year. To have our film nominated and then to win in the Best Actor and Best Cinematography categories was truly special.

    The communication from the festival team was prompt, efficient, and always professional, with every query addressed within 24 hours. The hospitality extended to us was warm and seamless, and the choice of iconic venues like Nandan for the screenings added a cultural richness that elevated the entire experience.

    A big thank you to the organisers and jury for recognising our work and making this such a memorable milestone. We wish the festival continued success in nurturing and celebrating global independent cinema. All the best for future editions!

    July 2025
    Helpful
  • Better Tomorrow

    Thank you so much for the selection and my Movie Better Tomorrow included in the Durgapur International Film Festival. Being part of your festival and having highlighted was an honor. Our Movie Won Award. Thank you for your dedication to promoting powerful Films We are grateful for your support. We were very pleased to participate in your festival and are looking forward to being part of it again.Best regards,
    Sharvi Film Director

    July 2025
    Helpful