Hiff 2025

Awards & Prizes – HIFF 2025

At the Haryana International Film Festival (HIFF 2025), we proudly honor excellence across all dimensions of filmmaking. Our award categories are designed to celebrate innovation, creativity, and impactful storytelling in both mainstream and independent cinema.

From feature films to web series, short films to screenplays, we recognize cinematic achievements across genres, languages, and formats. Below is a detailed outline of the awards to be presented at HIFF 2025:

🏆 Best Feature Film
🏆 Best Director
🏆 Best Actor (Male)
🏆 Best Actress (Female)
🏆 Best Music Direction / Score
🏆 Best Cinematography
🏆 Best Editing
🏆 Best Story / Screenplay
🏆 Best Debut Director
🏆 Special Jury Award
🏆 Audience Choice Award
🏆 Lifetime Achievement Award (Includes Cash Prize & Memento)

🏆 Best Web Series
🏆 Best Director – Web Series
🏆 Best Actor – Web Series
🏆 Best Actress – Web Series
🏆 Best Editor – Web Series
🏆 Best DOP – Web Series
🏆 Best Background Score / OST – Web Series

🏆 Best Short Film
🏆 Best Documentary Film
🏆 Best Animation Film
🏆 Best Environmental Film
🏆 Best Social Film / Cause-based Film
🏆 Best Director – Short/Docu/Animation
🏆 Best Actor / Actress – Short Film
🏆 Best Editing
🏆 Best Sound Design
🏆 Best Cinematography
🏆 Best Concept / Story

🏆 Best Haryanvi Feature Film
🏆 Best Haryanvi Web Series
🏆 Best Director – Haryanvi Cinema
🏆 Best Actor / Actress – Haryanvi Cinema
🏆 Best Music – Haryanvi Film / Web Series
🏆 Best Folk/Cultural Integration
🏆 Best New Talent – Haryanvi Cinema

🏆 Best Screenplay (Feature Film / Short Film)
🏆 Best Dialogue Writing
🏆 Best Screenplay – Web Series

Entries: Accepted in Hindi, English, and select regional/international languages (with English subtitles).

All awardees will receive:

🏅 Trophy & Certificate of Recognition
💰 Select categories include Cash Prizes & Media Exposure
🤝 Opportunities for industry networking and promotion

HIFF – Haryana International Film Festival

Rules & Terms – 2025

General Eligibility

Open to all continents, formats, and genres.
Films must be produced/released after 1st Jan 2024.
Non-Hindi/English films must include English subtitles.
Accepts downloadable links, pen drives, hard drives.
Submit by 30th June 2025.
Participant must have legal rights to the work.
HIFF reserves rights for up to 5 non-commercial screenings (with creator’s consent).
Final decisions by the Festival Director.

Feature Films / Documentaries / Web Series

Feature: 45+ min | Web Series: 60+ min (min 4 episodes × 15 min).
Accepted formats: 35mm, 70mm, 16mm, Digital.
Subtitles in English mandatory unless in Hindi/English.
CBFC or Ministry of I&B certificate required (India).
Classroom/advertising films not eligible.

Short Films / Documentaries / Animations

Duration: 1 to 45 minutes.
Categories: Short Fiction, Documentary, Animation.
English subtitles required for non-English films.
Student/diploma films not eligible as Director’s First Film.
HIFF may screen selected entries in 5 cities & TV (with consent).
Unlimited entries allowed; no withdrawal post-selection.
Participation certificates for shortlisted entries.

Haryanvi Feature Films / Web Series

Language: Haryanvi with English subtitles.
Feature Films: over 45 minutes.
Includes songs, jokes, skits, series content.
Open to individuals, organizations, agencies.
Not a debut category for student/diploma films.
Provide 4 excerpts (up to 3 min each) for promotion.
Classroom/advertising content is accepted.

Screenplay / Script Competition

Multiple entries allowed.
Feature: 2–250 pages | Short: 2–80 pages (A4, font 12, single spacing).
Accepted Languages: Hindi, English, Rajasthani, Urdu, Sanskrit, French, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi.
Other languages must be translated or dubbed into Hindi/English.
Must be original work (मौलिक रचना).
Min 5 entries required per category to qualify for awards.
Top 3 winners awarded; all selections receive certificates.

Film Trailer / Music Video Competition

Multiple entries allowed.
Subtitles in English/Hindi required if not in either.
Eligible if made after 1st Jan 2023.
Min 5 entries required per category.
Top 3 awarded; all selected receive certificates.

Submission Format & Deadline

Submit via downloadable link, pen drive, or hard drive.
Final Deadline: 30th June 2025