1st edition · Where it began
The first frame.
YIFF opened with a pre-screening and drew more than 70 shorts and features in its first year — including the world premiere of Rajesh Tailang’s directorial debut, Trivedi Ji.
- 70+shorts & features
Rated by filmmakers
Coming soon The next edition
Yellowstone International Film Festival Discovering new voices, spotlighting rare perspectives.
A global adventure of red carpets, premieres, daring documentaries and eye-opening short films — with conversations between filmmakers from across the world.
Follow the festival
Through the years
Six editions, one story.
From a first screening in 2020 to 110 official selections in 2025 — pick a year and step back into it.
2nd edition · Online
A festival without walls.
With the world indoors, YIFF went virtual — online screenings and live panels brought filmmakers together from their homes, from every corner of the map.
- Onlinescreenings & panels
3rd edition · DLF CyberPark, Gurugram
Back on the red carpet.
The festival returned in person with a star-studded red carpet. Shabana Azmi received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Sheer Qorma, and Divya Dutta and Jim Sarbh were among those honoured.
- 1,140films submitted
4th edition · From 22 October, Gurugram
A bigger opening night.
Submissions more than doubled. Babil Khan and Tabu took Outstanding Performance awards, while Amit Sadh and Bani J won big for their series.
- 2,891films submitted
5th edition · 15–20 November
Five years, 60 premieres.
Six days of cinema with 60 Indian premieres — covered by Deadline and IMDb — and Shreya Dhanwanthary among the honourees.
- 2,490films submitted
- 60Indian premieres
6th edition · 13–20 November
Six years, 110 selections.
110 films and screenplays from 33 countries made the official selection, and Saiyaara took home the Popular Choice Award.
- 110official selections
- 33countries
06 / 06
Est. 2020
About the festival
Come for the film.
Stay for the exchange.
In a city with a strong art and cultural heritage, Yellowstone International Film Festival (YIFF) celebrates world-class independent cinema — red carpets, premieres, daring documentaries, eye-opening short films and conversations with filmmakers from across the globe.
Every submission is carefully considered by our programming committee, with special categories for LGBTQ+, Women Empowerment, environmental and student films.
Read our story2,490Films submitted in 2024
2,891Films submitted in 2023
1,140Films submitted in 2022
6Editions since 2020
Programme
Film categories
Special categories for stories that don’t wait for permission — a hub for independent filmmakers everywhere.
- 01Indian Live Action ShortStories rooted in India
- 02International ShortVoices from every continent
- 03DocumentaryTruth, without the safe distance
- 04AnimationFrame by frame imagination
- 05Super ShortSmall frames, big afterlives
- 06Women EmpowermentFilms by and about women
- 07LGBTQ+Queer cinema, centre stage
- 08EnvironmentalFor the planet we share
- 09Student FilmsThe next generation
Awards
Winners 2025
Celebrating the films and filmmakers honoured at YIFF 2025.
Feature Films
- A Mother, a Son, and a MurderAnanyabrata Chakravorty · India
- Secret of a Mountain SerpentNidhi Saxena · India, Italy, Sri Lanka
- Holy RositaWannes Destoop · Belgium
Documentaries
- Saints and WarriorsPatrick Shannon · Canada
- Dalit Subbaiah – Voice of the RebelsGridaran MKP · India
- Mother of ChooksJesse Samos Leaman, Maite Martin Samos · Australia
Short Films
- I Fear Blue SkiesSalar Pashtoonyar · Canada
- AichaSanaa El Alaoui · Morocco
- TaraAshutosh S. Shankar · India, UK, USA
- PostmanFaizan Anees Bazmee · India
- RazaaPooja Tolani · India
- PorelessHarris Doran · USA
- Guardian AssholeThe Neese Twins · USA
Highlights
The festival, in motion
Voices
From the people who made it
“My film won Best Documentary Short. I was also invited on a panel for women filmmakers — an incredible initiative by the team at YIFF!”
“With the perfect balance of glamour, substance and warmth, YIFF is an overall class act.”
“YIFF 2024 was an incredible experience. The event was incredibly well curated and the team was really exceptional.”
“Allowing us to have our Indian premiere with you was very special to me, as the film touches on so many themes related to Indian female identity.”
“An elegant, artful festival during a global pandemic. The community was warm and welcoming to boot!”
“Kottakil Ganapathy was awarded Best Indian Live Action Film, and we were overwhelmed by the audience response.”
“A brilliant festival. Very supportive of indie cinema and experiments. A boon for filmmakers of all styles and genres!”
“They really care about filmmakers, and I highly recommend it. Can’t wait to submit again!”
“Very professional approach as well as communication and a kind, friendly attitude.”
Archive
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