Welcome to the IRIS Film Awards, an online celebration of excellence in the world of cinema! Founded with a passion for shining a light on outstanding filmmaking talent and honoring the finest cinematic achievements.

The IRIS is the mechanism through which light enters a camera, but within the captivating tapestry of cinema, it is transformed into a radiant gateway, illuminating the very essence of humanity and crafting narratives that etch unforgettable imprints on our souls. Taking inspiration from this ethereal keyhole the IRIS Film Awards amplify your light, hoping to be even just a small part of spreading it for all to see. 

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The IRIS Film Awards stands out as a unique and forward-thinking platform. As an online film award, it offers an inclusive and accessible space for filmmakers, regardless of their geographical location or production budgets, to participate and showcase their remarkable creations.

The judging process at the IRIS Film Awards is both rigorous and fair. A panel of esteemed industry professionals and experts in various fields related to filmmaking, form the jury. They meticulously evaluate each submission based on artistic merit, storytelling, technical brilliance, and overall impact. The selection process aims to highlight films that inspire, push boundaries, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impression on audiences.

Judges score entries on a performance scale and winning entries are recognized in four different levels of awards depending on their final score. Entries do not compete against each other. Entries are judged against a high standard of merit and are scored accordingly. 

Our judges will also be scoring each entrant in several technical categories. Awards will be given for the top scoring film in each applicable category. Every submission will be automatically entered to win these awards at no additional cost.

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Awards & Prizes

Award Levels:

✦ Best of Show honors are granted to the top scoring entry.

✦ Awards of Excellence are granted to high scoring entries with truly exceptional filmmaking.

✦ Awards of Achievement are granted to notable artistic and technical productions.

No fixed numbers of awards are granted at any level but rather fluctuate based on the total number of entries received for each competition deadline.

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Prizes

All winners will receive a Custom Laurel and Digital Certificate!

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Technical Awards:
Our judges will also be scoring each entrant in the following technical categories. Awards will be given for the top scoring film in each applicable category. Every submission will be automatically entered in the applicable categories below at no additional cost.

- Actor in a Leading Role
- Actor in a Supporting Role
- Actress in a Leading Role
- Actress in a Supporting Role
- Cinematography
- Direction
- Editing
- Music/Score
- Sound

Rules & Terms

✦ What are we looking for? - Great Stories and Great Filmmaking. Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Narrative short films and Documentary short films. 

✦ Do I need to hold any kind of premiere status to participate? - No. As an online awards event we will not exhibit your film publicly, so you can compete regardless of premiere status.

✦ As a FilmFreeway exclusive Awards Program, we ONLY accept submissions through FilmFreeway's provided digital avenues. Either directly uploaded to FilmFreeway or via Vimeo/Youtube link. Thus online screeners are mandatory.

✦ By submitting your film, take note that: 
- You agree to allow IRIS Film Awards to use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster/stills) for promotional purpose. 
- Entry fees are non-refundable. 
- The films will NOT be exhibited publicly either physically or online.
- We promote some of the films by uploading the trailers/teasers/posters/production stills to our website and social platforms.

✦ Terms and Conditions: 
- We do not accept amateur videos 
- Absolutely no extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations 
- We do not accept films that depict or include any cruelty to animals.
- All films must be in english or provide english subtitles.
- When you submit a film to the IRIS Film Awards, your personal information, including your name, email, image, and any other information contained in the film may be shared with our judges, sponsors, event participants, and others as required to administer and operate our Awards Program. We may also share your name, image, details of your film, or other personal information that you share with us in our press releases and marketing channels, including our website and on social media. By submitting a film to our Awards Program, you are giving us permission to use your personal information in these ways.
If you are under the age of majority where you live, your parent or legal guardian must give you permission to submit your film. Your film will be disqualified from our program if submitted without the permission of your parent or legal guardian.