Nature inFocus Film Awards 2023

What is the submission deadline?

Submissions are open from Saturday, April 15, 2023. The contest will close at 11:59 PM (India Time – UTC + 05:30) on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

How do I submit my films?

• Create an account at festival.natureinfocus.in, select the category and make a one-time non-refundable payment of the participation fee.
• Complete the online submission form by providing details – link to the film, the film title, a description of the film, and credits.

If I face trouble with the submission process, whom should I contact for help?

Write to us at [email protected] for any queries or issues. Before you write to us, please go through the FAQs listed here. We are sure you will find quick answers to some common queries.

Should I own the copyright for all the content in the film I am submitting? 

All content used in the film should be original and belong to the participant or licensed to the participant under a valid licence. Nature inFocus expressly disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorised inclusion of any copyrighted content or materials within or relating to the film, including any content or materials that are or may become the basis for any third-party claims for copyright infringement.

If I have submitted my production to another festival, can I also enter the Nature inFocus Film Awards?

Yes. We do not require exclusivity.

If my production has been broadcast on television or screened in theatres, may I still submit it?

Yes. Whether or not your production has been broadcast or screened in the past, it is eligible for entry. The filmmaker assumes the responsibility of obtaining relevant permissions.

My film has non-English narration/dialogue. Can I enter?

Yes. However, you must provide a copy with English subtitles or an English voiceover.

Do you offer any prizes?

• The category Winners will be presented with a cash prize of ₹50,000, a trophy and a certificate.
• The winners of Special Mention titles across all categories will be presented with a plaque and a certificate.

What are the entry fees? Do you offer a refund?

Participants will be charged a one-time non-refundable fee of ₹1700 + 18% GST.

Why do you charge entry fees?

The modest participation fee covers the costs of bringing together an expert panel of judges to watch and assess each film, as well as submission administration costs and screening venue hire.

Can I withdraw my film? 

Fees are non-refundable. If you have made an error in your submission, please contact us at [email protected].

What are the contest categories and how do I choose them?

Nature inFocus is the premier platform for filmmaking talent from India and worldwide to showcase their work. 

We have two main categories – Indian Films and International Films. Here are more details:

• Indian Films

In this category, we would like to highlight the best nature and wildlife films being made in the country―on India's wildlife, natural habitats, and conservation efforts. The category is open only to Indian citizens. The organisers may request proof of citizenship.

Duration: Any length

Format: Digital HD – 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 4K

This is divided into two sub-categories:

Non-Funded

It is open to non-professional filmmakers who have shown great initiative by taking the first step forward―making their own films. The films must be self-funded and not have financial assistance from external sources like private entities, private funding organisations, broadcast channels, OTTs, NGOs, conservation organisations, government departments and initiatives, or any such other sources.

Funded

Films that have received external funding can be submitted in this category. It is open to new or established broadcasters, film or television production companies/distributors and independent filmmakers.

 

• International Films

In this category, we would like to highlight the best nature and wildlife films from outside India.

Duration: Any length

Format: Digital HD – 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 4K

This is divided into two sub-categories:

Non-Funded

It is open to non-professional filmmakers who have shown great initiative by taking the first step forward―making their own films. The films must be self-funded and not have financial assistance from external sources like private entities, broadcast channels, OTTs, NGOs, conservation organisations, government departments and initiatives, etc.

Funded

Films that have received external funding can be submitted in this category. It is open to new or established broadcasters, film or television production companies/distributors and independent filmmakers.

How many films can I submit?

There are two sub-categories you can submit under – Funded and Non-Funded. You can submit two films under each sub-category.

What is your preferred submission format?

For all categories, we need you to submit a link to the film – YouTube/Vimeo etc. If it is a private/protected link, provide the password too.

What information should I submit along with my film?

• In addition to the video itself, you must complete the submission form and provide a title, description, production and credit details.
• We request that you do not send any extra materials such as promotional materials, photos or press kits unless requested.

Can I change my information after submitting it?

You have time until the contest closes – at 11:59 PM (India time - UTC + 05:30) on Thursday, June 15, 2023 – to amend entry information after submitting it. Once the contest closes, all the information saved on your profile is automatically accepted as your final submission.

What is the judging process?

• All submissions received by the entry deadline will be reviewed by members of the jury.
• The best films in each category will be shortlisted for the final round of judging, from which the final winners will be decided.
• The jury reserves the right to declare a tie in any of the prizes or change the number of prizes being awarded.
• During the course of judging, the jury reserves the right to move entries from one category to another, where they consider it appropriate and applicable. If the film is shortlisted for the final round, the participant will be notified about the change.

When will I be notified in advance if I have won a prize?

While you won’t find out exactly what you have won, you will be informed if you are among the winners.

Can I get feedback on my film?

We discourage participants from writing to the jury members for feedback until the final results are announced.

Will my film be screened at the Nature inFocus Festival?

If your film is one of the winning entries, depending on the film length and the Festival schedule, it may be screened to delegates and public audiences. The jury may also select some final shortlisted films for this screening. In such an event, you will be asked to provide a high-quality screening copy (to be retained in the Nature inFocus archive).

What are the benefits of entering the Nature inFocus Film Awards?

There are many benefits to entering the Nature inFocus Film Awards:

• The opportunity to be internationally recognised by winning the award.
• Drawing your work to the attention of jury members who are professionals in the field and other wildlife filmmakers in their network
• Nominated films are screened to industry professionals and the public at the Nature inFocus Festival, giving you the opportunity to showcase your work to industry professionals and wildlife film enthusiasts.

How will the organisers and sponsors engage with me if my film wins?

The organiser of the contest will be allowed to use the winning and shortlisted films, or their extracts in the promotion of the contest and the festival. For any other use, the organisers will contact the filmmakers. The main sponsors for the contest will have the right to use the films or any other data shared by the participant for one year and may engage the winning filmmaker for promotional activities.

• Akanksha Sood Singh
• Gautam Pandey
• Joanna Van Gruisen
• Raghu Chundawat
• Rita Banerji
• Sara – Jury Curator

1. The organisers have the right to disqualify participants who approach the jury members in a deliberate attempt to influence or lobby, by discussing judging processes, enquiring about details or requesting feedback prior to the announcement of results.
2. Entries must be submitted by the producer or distributor of the film (or their authorised representative).
3. The organising team, sponsors and partners are not allowed to participate in the contest.
4. Any breach of the rules and the ethical standards listed below can lead to disqualification.
5. The prize money is non-transferable and will be awarded to the participant after TDS deduction, if any.
6. To transfer the prize money to international participants, the organisers will follow bank transfer and TDS instructions prescribed by the Indian government. The participants must provide the organisers with any identification, paperwork or invoices that may be required to complete the transaction. Transfers may take up to three months.
7. If there is a tie in any of the categories, the cash prize will be divided equally among the winners of said category.
8. Cancellation and withdrawals are not allowed once the registration process is completed.
9. All disputes are subject to Bangalore jurisdiction only.

1. Participants must be mindful of the welfare of the animals they are filming and ensure that no harm, injury or distress is caused to the animal or to the habitat in an attempt to secure the image.
2. Participants are not permitted to submit films of farm animals, family pets or animal models.
3. Films about captive animals will not be accepted unless the film has been shot with a specific purpose of portraying issues regarding the treatment of the species.
4. Films that have been made by attracting the animal using live bait will not be accepted. If any other forms of attraction have been used to secure the video, like bird seed, food or scent, details must be declared in the caption.
5. Films, where the filmmaker’s actions or presence have adversely affected the animal’s behaviour or put the animal in danger, will not be permitted. For example, films depicting the aggressive behaviour of species like vine snakes, pit vipers or elephant charging could be disqualified at the jury’s discretion.
6. Participants must not deceive the viewer or attempt to disguise and/ or misrepresent the reality of the natural scene.
7. Participants are responsible for ensuring full compliance with any applicable national or international legislation and for securing any relevant permits that may be required in the process of filming.
8. If the organisers suspect that an entry has been achieved through cruel or unethical practices, including the use of live bait, the entry will be disqualified.
9. Caption information supplied during the registration process must be complete, true and accurate.

Each category, under Indian Films and International Films, has a total of 2 prizes:

• Winner – 1
• Special Mention – 1

The cash prize for each of these categories will be:

• Winner – ₹50,000
• Special Mention – NA