General Submission Guidelines 2026
01Eligibility Window
- Films/videos must have been released, published or publicly screened between 1 April 2025 – 30 September 2026.
02Who May Enter
- Brands, marketing/PR agencies, production houses, influencers, film schools, and individual creators (including students).
- For the Student category, entrants must be currently enrolled or graduated within the last 12 months.
03Entry Format & Materials
- Video Upload: Submit via Vimeo or YouTube (unlisted link) or via the festival portal.
- Supporting Docs (PDF or PPT):
- Campaign/film synopsis (250–500 words)
- Credits list (director, producer, agency, cast, crew)
- Objective & key results (for Campaign Impact categories)
- Budget range
- Frame‑Rate & Codec: H.264 or ProRes (720×1280 minimum, 1920×1080 preferred).
04Language & Subtitles
- Original dialogue may be in any Indian language or English.
- English subtitles are required if the dialogue is not in English.
05Application Fees & Deadlines
- See your tiered fee schedule (Early‑Bird, Standard, Late).
06Submission Limits
- Individual: Up to 5 entries per person/organisation across all categories (unless Platinum Pass).
- Bundles: As per Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum packages.
07Rights & Permissions
- Entrants guarantee they hold all necessary rights (music, stock footage, likeness).
- YIFF may use up to 3 minutes of any entry for promotional purposes, with full credits.
08Jury & Judging
- Independent jury of film, advertising, digital and academic experts.
- Two‑stage judging: Shortlisting (qualitative), Final scoring (numeric).
- Audience Choice via public online voting (one vote per email).
09Notification & Awards
- Shortlist announced late October 2026; winners notified by early November 2026.
- Awards are presented at the YIFF gala during the festival.
10Contact & Support
For technical or process queries, email submissions@yiff.co.in
Submission portal: FilmFreeway
11Fee Structure
1. Individual Category Fees
| Category Track | Early-Bird Fee (by Sep 10, 2026) | Standard Fee (Sep 11–Oct 11, 2026) | Late Fee (Oct 12–Oct 21, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative & Craft Excellence | ₹5,000 | ₹7,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Campaign Impact & Strategy | ₹7,000 | ₹9,000 | ₹11,000 |
| Format & Platform | ₹7,000 | ₹9,000 | ₹11,000 |
| Audience & Emerging Talent | ₹5,000 | ₹7,000 | ₹10,000 |
- Early-Bird incentivises quick entries and helps you forecast volume.
- Late Fee encourages on-time submissions and covers the extra admin burden.
2. Package Deals
To encourage multiple-category submissions (and boost entry volume), offer bundled discounts:
| Package | Includes | Early-Bird Fee | Standard Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze Bundle | Any 3 categories (across tracks) | 10% off on the total | 5% off on the total | NA |
| Silver Bundle | Any 5 categories | 15% off on the total | 10% off on the total | 5% off on the total |
| Gold Bundle | All categories in one track | 20% off on the total | 15% off on the total | 10% off on the total |
| Platinum Pass | Unlimited entries across all tracks | 25% off on the total | 20% off on the total | 15% off on the total |
Questions?
Write to us or call — we’re happy to help.
© 2026 Yellowstone International Film Festival. All rights reserved.