AKIFF
Film Festival
An international celebration of filmmakers who tell stories with humanity, courage, originality and impact.
AKIFF · Independent International Film Festival · Online Festival Experience
Some films entertain us.
Some challenge us.
Some break our hearts.
Some change the way we see another human being.
AKIFF exists for those films.
We believe cinema has the power to cross languages, cultures and borders — and remind us of what connects us.
Stories Worth Carrying Forward
The Atharva Kharkar International Film Festival exists to discover and celebrate filmmakers who use cinema to tell meaningful human stories — stories that entertain, move us, challenge us, inspire empathy, and leave a positive impact.
What does your film leave behind in the person who watches it?
Four Things We Look For
Story
Original storytelling that holds attention and stays with the audience.
Humanity
Films that reveal something honest about the human experience.
Courage
Bold voices willing to explore difficult, unexpected or unconventional ideas.
Impact
Stories that make audiences feel, think, question, connect or change.
Where Your Film Competes
Best Short Film
Best Feature Film
Best Documentary
Best Student Film
Best International Film
Best Animation / Experimental Film
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Performance
Best Cinematography
The Atharva Human Spirit Award
For a film demonstrating extraordinary humanity, resilience, compassion, hope or courage.
The Atharva Impact Award
For a film that demonstrates meaningful potential to create positive social or cultural impact.
The Atharva Award
For a film that celebrates the human spirit.
The Atharva Award is the heart of the festival. It recognizes a film that reaches beyond cinematic craft and connects deeply with the human experience. This is a new annual festival award, not an established industry accolade.
Who Can Submit
Films from all countries are welcome.
- — Eligible formats: short films, feature films, documentaries, student films, animation, and experimental films.
- — Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles.
- — Films must be completed before submission.
- — No premiere status requirement, unless specifically stated in the final festival rules.
- — A filmmaker may submit multiple films, but each film requires a separate submission.
Production-year requirements have not yet been finalized and will be published before the official submission call opens.
The Fine Print, Made Clear
- — Submission fees are non-refundable.
- — Filmmakers must own or control the rights necessary to submit the film.
- — Films must be submitted through the designated submission platform.
- — Films not in English must have English subtitles.
- — The festival reserves the right to reject incomplete or ineligible submissions.
- — Selection decisions are made by the festival/jury and are final.
- — Selected filmmakers may be asked for promotional materials such as poster, trailer, stills and a filmmaker biography.
- — The festival may use selected film titles, posters, trailers, stills and filmmaker information for promotional purposes.
- — Online screening will only occur according to the permissions granted by the filmmaker.
- — The festival will not publicly stream submitted films without appropriate screening permission.
Submission Fees
| Deadline | Regular | Student |
|---|
Submission fees are non-refundable. Fees shown are proposed for Year 1 and are not final until the official submission call is activated.
The Timeline
Year 1 dates are still being finalized and will be published here once confirmed.
An Online International Film Festival
Selected films will be presented through an online festival experience, allowing filmmakers and audiences from different countries to participate without geographical barriers. Screening availability will depend on filmmaker permission and festival programming — not every Official Selection will necessarily be publicly available.
From Submission to Spotlight
Submit
Screening & Judging
Official Selection
Festival Screening
Awards
How Films Are Scored
Films are evaluated independently by members of the festival jury. Final award decisions are based on artistic merit, storytelling, craftsmanship and the values of the festival.
| Story | 25 |
| Direction | 20 |
| Performance | 15 |
| Cinematography | 15 |
| Editing | 10 |
| Sound / Music | 5 |
| Originality | 5 |
| Emotional / Social Impact | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Jury Panel — To Be Announced
What Selected Films Receive
Official Selection
Digital Official Selection certificate + official laurel.
Finalist
Digital Finalist certificate + finalist laurel.
Winner
Winner certificate + official winner laurel.
Physical awards may be presented for selected major categories, subject to the festival's final award program.
A Living Creative Philosophy
Atharva Kharkar was a filmmaker whose creative work was rooted in storytelling, humanity, spirituality and positive values. The festival carries his name as a way of continuing that creative spirit through filmmakers around the world.
A film ends. A story doesn't.
AKIFF exists to help meaningful stories continue their journey.
Common Questions
Your Story Could Be the One Someone Remembers.
Submit your film to the Atharva Kharkar International Film Festival.