SIFF Student film competition
The Student Short Film Competition is a special section of the Shillong International Film Festival 2026, created to encourage and showcase the creative voices of young filmmakers from Meghalaya. Open to students from schools, colleges, and universities across the state, the competition provides a platform for emerging storytellers to explore cinema as a powerful medium of expression.
The theme for this year’s competition, “Beyond Borders,” invites students to reflect on ideas of connection, identity, culture, landscape, and shared human experiences. Participants are encouraged to interpret the theme creatively through fiction or non-fiction films, bringing forward fresh perspectives and stories rooted in their own surroundings and experiences.
The goal of the competition is to nurture filmmaking talent among young people in Meghalaya and to inspire students to engage with cinema not only as entertainment but also as a meaningful form of storytelling and dialogue. By providing an opportunity to screen selected films during the festival, the competition seeks to cultivate a new generation of filmmakers while strengthening the culture of film appreciation and creativity in the state.
competition guidelines
1. Eligibility
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The competition is open to students currently enrolled in a school, college, or university.
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Participants must be domiciled in Meghalaya.
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Applicants must upload a valid Student Identity Card as proof of enrollment.
2. Theme
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The theme for the competition is “Beyond Borders.”
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Films may interpret the theme creatively in relation to people, cultures, ideas, landscapes, or identities.
3. Film Category
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Films may be fiction or non-fiction.
4. Production Period
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The film must have been produced between January 2025 and February 2026.
5. Content Guidelines
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Participants must ensure that the films they submit do not promote or profess any religious, communal, fundamentalist, or divisive beliefs or doctrines.
6. Film Duration
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The submitted film must have a maximum duration of 10 minutes, including opening and closing credits.
7. Technical Specifications
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Films must be submitted in Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080).
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Videos should be exported at a high bit rate to ensure good screening quality.
8. Language and Subtitles
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Films may be made in any language.
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Films that are not in English must include English subtitles.
9. Submission Process
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Participants must complete the official Google Form to submit their film and required details.
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All required information and files, including the student ID, must be uploaded through the form.
10. Entry Fee
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No entry fee is required. Submission to the competition is free of charge.
11. Deadline
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The last date for submission is 20 March 2026.
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Entries received after this date will not be considered.
12. Awards
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Best Film: ₹50,000
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First Runner-Up: ₹30,000
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Second Runner-Up: ₹20,000
13. General Conditions
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The participant must hold the rights to the film and all its content, including music and footage.
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The festival reserves the right to screen selected films during the Shillong International Film Festival.