N.S.H. Film Festival Submission

SUBMISSIONS FOR THE N.S.H. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ARE NOW OPEN!

The N.S.H. International Film Festival is the youngest qualifying festival for both Feature Films and Short Films, recognized for its high quality and professional standards. It has quickly become a significant career stepping stone, establishing a tradition of discovering and promoting filmmakers who have gone on to become Academy Award nominees.

We are committed to promoting new filmmakers’ projects and showcasing their films to international audiences. Our mission is to screen independent films of all genres from all around the world.

All participating filmmakers will receive a certificate of participation. Valuable awards will be presented to the Best Short Film and other outstanding selected entries.

RULES AND TERMS

Categories and Considerations

1. You only need to submit in one category. If your film is eligible for other categories, it will automatically be considered.
2. If your film is selected for a different category than the one submitted, your approval will be requested before confirmation.
3. All submissions are fully and fairly considered by specialists in the film industry and a diverse team of international programmers.
4. The submission date has no impact on the selection decision.
5. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual feedback on submissions.
6. Where awards are presented, they will be awarded to the director, or shared equally if there is more than one director.
7. The submission fee is non-refundable.

ELIGIBILITY

1. Films must be submitted by midnight on August 31, 2026. All submission decisions are final, and submission fees are non-refundable.
2. Only films completed after January 1, 2024 are eligible for the competition.
3. If you have multiple films to submit, fee discounts may be available. For more information, email: filmslakshan@gmail.com
4. We do not hold a dedicated Student Short Film Competition, but film schools submitting multiple entries may be eligible for a discounted rate. Please email: filmslakshan@gmail.com
5. Minimum duration for Feature Films is 41 minutes; maximum for Short Films is 40 minutes. For the Screendance and Queer Shorts categories, films must be 20 minutes or less.
6. For the Music Video category, submissions must be made with the artist’s permission.
7. All non-English language submissions must include standard or descriptive English subtitles (preferably embedded).
8. We accept works in progress, provided the final version is submitted by the August 31, 2026 deadline.

PREMIERE POLICY

1. All films must include subtitles, preferably descriptive, to support our commitment to accessibility.
2. N.S.H. International Film Festival does not pay screening fees for selected films.
3. Once you’ve submitted your film, relax! Follow us on social media for updates. You will receive a notification about your selection status by October 14, 2026.
4. For any questions or clarifications, contact: filmslakshan@gmail.com

Our esteemed jury is composed of industry professionals with vast knowledge and experience, ensuring that each film receives the thoughtful attention it deserves. At the N.S.H. Film Festival, we embrace cultural diversity, and our finale is a celebration of this, featuring performances that showcase global cinema while collaborating with artists from around the world. This blend of film and melody culminates in an awards ceremony, followed by a gala to close the festival in style.

Thank you for submitting your film through our platform. We look forward to your participation and hope to welcome you again next year!

Categories

Narrative – Fiction – Feature

For narrative fiction films across all genres with a runtime over 40 minutes. Submit to this category if your film is a feature-length fictional story.

Narrative – Fiction – Short

For any narrative fiction film that runs 40 minutes or less and doesn’t fit into a more specific category. Ideal for short fictional works.

Documentary – Feature

For non-fiction films with a runtime over 40 minutes. Submit here if your film is a feature-length documentary exploring real-life stories, subjects, or issues.

Documentary – Short

For short documentaries running 40 minutes or less. Perfect for concise and compelling non-fiction storytelling.

Animation – Feature

For animated fiction films with a runtime over 40 minutes. Submit to this category if your work is a feature-length animation of any genre or style.

Animation – Short

For animated films running 40 minutes or less. This category is for short-form animated storytelling, regardless of technique or theme.

Student Film

For films created as part of a film school or academic program, regardless of genre. Open to fiction, documentary, or animation, this category supports emerging student filmmakers showcasing their academic work.

🌐 Web Series

For completed first seasons of episodic content created for digital platforms. This category is open to both scripted and unscripted series with a clear episodic structure. Submit only if your web series has a fully completed first season ready for screening.