13th CIDSFF 2025 : We thank you all!

Dear friends!

Greetings to all!

13th Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival 2025 concluded yesterday at Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai.

We would like to thank the filmmakers, co-organisers, selection committee members, like minded friends and the audience for trusting us once again.

The 8 day Film Festival was inaugurated at Dr Ambedkar Government Arts College, Vyasarpadi on 21st February.

We went on to screen more than 80 films from around 20 countries at 11 venues including Sathyam Cinemas, Periyar Thidal, Discovery Book Palace, Madras Christian College, Asian College of Journalism, ICAT Design and Media College, Anna University, Tamilnadu Government MGR Film and TV Institute and SRM University.

We must have reached out to more than 1000 viewers with meaningful Documentaries and Short Films, in which most of them were students from various educational institutions.

More than 20 intellectuals and personalities attended the event as Guest speakers to share their views on the films.

It was truly a collective effort from more than 50 individuals directly and indirectly contributing with total commitment to sensible art and dialogue.

We collected donations from kind hearted people to meet out the organisation expenses that include our local travel, stay for the filmmakers, design and printing of poster and booklets & remuneration and food expenses for the volunteers.

We had discussions at the end of every session to reflect on the stories, forms and perspectives. Filmmakers who had presented their films responded to the questions and the comments from the audience members.

We thank you all for your generous and unconditional support.

We are already getting ready for Women's Day Film Festivals in Madurai in the month of March.

Our journey continues.

Best wishes

Amudhan
Festival Director
13th CIDSFF 2025
Ph / WhatsApp / Gpay: 9940642044

Note : We will be proudly celebrating our 30th year celebrations in 2026.

13th Chennai Int Doc & Short Film Festival 2025 : We welcome you!

13th CIDSFF 2025

21-28 February; multiple venues, Chennai 

Schedule  (click here for detailed schedule)

Jointly organised by
Dept of Visual Communication - Dr Ambedkar Government Arts College, Vyasarpadi
Asian College of Journalism
Periyar Self Respect Media - Periyar Thidal
Discovery Book Palace
Department of communication & Centre for women studies - Madras Christian College
Dept of Visual Media - ICAT Design and Media College
Dept of Media Sciences - Anna University
Dept of English & other Foreign Languages - SRM University (Ramapuram Campus)
Tamil Nadu Govt MGR Film & TV Institute
Postgraduate Department of Journalism and Communication & Visual Communication - Ethiraj College for Women
and
MARUPAKKAM

Sections :

1) Indian Documentaries
2) International Documentaries
3) Indian Short Fiction
4) International Short Fiction
5) Experimental films, Animation Films & Mobile Phone Films

Selection Committee :

Sehjo Singh, filmmaker / curator / producer / teacher
Babu Eshwar Prasad, filmmaker / designer / curator / teacher
Meera Chaudhary, filmmaker / producer 
Mudit Singhal, filmmaker
Amudhan RP, filmmaker / curator / teacher

Festival book : designed and printed by K Babu
Festival Coordinator : Gowrishankar
Festival Director : Amudhan RP

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About us!

Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival is a unique, crowd funded, annual film festival with its multiple venues, interactions and special lectures. The film festival aims to take the recently made Indian and International films to the audience in Chennai to cultivate and nurture documentary - both viewing and producing - culture in Tamilnadu. 

It is a collective effort initiated by MARUPAKKAM - a media activist group - in association with various educational institutions, cultural organisations and like minded people. The entry for the audience is free and open to all.

SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY! 

FOR MORE DETAILS : 9940642044 / amudhan.rp@gmail.com

13th Chennai Int Doc & Short Film Festival 2025

Dear friends!



New Year Greetings!

The selection of the films for the upcoming 13th Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival 2025 is over.

Filmmakers have been informed through the Filmfreeway platform. 

The final list will be officially released within this week.

Thank you for your participation and support.

Amudhan RP
Festival Director
13th CIDSFF 25
21-28 February 2025; multiple venues, Chennai

13th Chennai Film Festival 2025 : Entries Invited!

📽13th Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival 2025

21-28 February; multiple venues, Chennai 

🎞 Entries invited!

Regular Deadline : 1 October 2024
Late Deadline : 1 November 2024

Notification Date : 1 January 2025


📹 Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival is the only event in Chennai exclusively organised for documentaries. The festival has brought in many renowned filmmakers from across India to the city in the past. The festival has also collaborated with prestigious institutions such as Madras University, Loyola College, Madras Christian College, Ethiraj College, Stella Maris College, Women's Christian College, Dr Ambedkar Govt Arts College, DOT School of Design, Don Bosco Arts and Science College, Madras School of Social Work, LV Prasad College of Media Arts, Roja Muthiah Research Library, Periyar Thidal, Goethe-Institut and Discovery Book Palace.

The idea behind the film festival is to promote and support documentary and short film culture (both viewing and making) in the state of Tamilnadu for which the city of Chennai is the administrative and political capital.


Rules and Regulations :

1) Only the films recommended by our official selection committee will be screened.
2) There will be not any competition.
3) No screening fee will be provided to selected and non selected films
4) Depending upon the local administration, the film festival will be held as an offline / physical event
5) Downloadable film files (MP4) should be sent for the selection
6 a) No travel support will be provided to the filmmakers who attend the film festival, if the festival takes place offline
b) Local stay will be provided to the filmmakers of the selected films, if the festival takes place offline
7) Films that promote or support hatred will not be admitted
8) Discussions will be organised via online if the filmmakers can't attend the festival physically
9) The films should have subtitles in English.
10) Entry fee will not be returned
11) Selected films cannot be withdrawn by the filmmakers
12) The decision of the selection committees and jury is final
13) The film should have been produced within last 24 months. 

Click below to send entries: https://filmfreeway.com/ChennaiInternationalDocumentaryandShortFilmFestival

12th CIDSFF 24 : Winners

12th CIDSFF 24 : Award winners

1) Documentary
Shubradeep Chakravorthy Memorial Award for 

Best Indian Long and Medium Length Documentary 

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Now & Then
Dir: Jyoti Nisha

Indian Long and Medium Length Documentary / Certificate of Merit :

God Vulture and Human
Dir : Rishiraj Agarwal

Best Indian Short Documentary Film

My Son and Grandfather
Dir : Bijoy Chowdhury

Indian Short Documentary / Certificate of Merit :

Tam-brahm Cooking
Dir : Sraiyanti, Prem Akkattoos

2) Short Fiction

Best Indian Short Fiction (joint winners)

Sadabahar
Dir : Suyash Kamat

Three Piece Light
Dir : Tom Jose

Indian Short Fiction / Jury Mention :

Yes Sir!
Dir: Mudit Singhal

Indian Short Fiction / Certificate of Merit :

Discipline
Dir : Prahas N

Arunmozhi Memorial Award for the Best Indian Short Fiction (Joint winners)

Best Tamil Short Fiction (joint winners)

Rider Rukmani
Dir : Guhan S

Two Worlds
Dir : Nithya Gopalakrishnan

Thank you all!

Amudhan RP
Festival Director
12th Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival 2024

12th CIDSFF 24 : We welcome you!

12th Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival 2024

20-29 Feb; multiple venues, Chennai

SCREENING SCHEDULE (subject to changes)

click above

12th Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival 2024 : 20-29 February; multiple venues, Chennai

More than 100 films; 10 days; 12 venues; 7 sections; 4 awards

Promo 01 Promo 02

Sections :

1) Indian Documentaries - competition

2) International Documentaries - non competition

3) Indian Short Fiction - competition

4) International Short Fiction - non competition

5) Homage : John Pilger

6) Special Package from Auroville Film Institute

7) Director's Cut - Curated by Amudhan RP

Screening Schedule (subject to changes)

Day Shows:

20 Feb : Don Bosco College of Arts and Sciences, Kilpakkam; 9.30 am to 12.30 pm

20 Feb : Women's Christian College, Nungampakkam (outsiders not allowed); 11 am to 3 pm

21 Feb :  Madras School of Social Work, Egmore; 10 am to 4 pm

22 Feb : Ambedkar College, Vyasarpadi; 9.30 am to 12.30 pm

22 Feb : Tamil Nadu Government MGR Film & Television Institute

Taramani (outsiders not allowed); 10 am to 4 pm

23 Feb : Roja Muthiah Library, Taramani; 11 am to 4 pm

24, 25 Feb : LV Prasad Preview Theatre, Saligramam; 11 am to 8 pm

24, 25 Feb : Periyar Thidal, Veppery; 11 am to 8 pm

26 Feb : Anna University, Guindy; 10 am to 1 pm

27 Feb : Loyola College, Nungampakkam; 8.30 am to 1 pm

28 Feb : Stella Maris College, Radhakrishna Salai; 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

29 Feb : DOT School of Design, Ambattur; 9.30 pm to 4.30 pm

Evening Shows :

20-28 Feb; 5.30 pm: Periyar Thidal, Veppery; 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm

Jointly organised by

Department of Visual Communication - Don Bosco Arts and Science College

PG Department of Communication & Department of Visual Communication

 - Women's Christian College

 Anti Narcotics Club - Madras School of Social Work

Department of Visual Communication - Ambedkar Government Arts College, Vyasarpadi 

Tamil Nadu Government MGR Film & Television Institute

Roja Muthiah Research Library

LV Prasad College of Media Studies

Department of Media Sciences - Anna University

Department of Visual Communication - Loyola College

Department of Social Work & UNICEF on Campus Club - Stella Maris College

DOT School of Design 

Periyar Self Respect Media

Padapetti Film Movement / World Cinema Film Festival / Charulatha Publications

and

MARUPAKKAM 

WE WELCOME YOU! ENTRY FREE!

Amudhan R P

Festival Director

12th CIDSFF 24

SCREENING SCHEDULE (subject to changes)

click above

12th CIDSFF : International Short Fiction - Non Competiton

12th Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival 2024

International Short Fiction Non Competition

Bitter Brownies
Dir: James Carman; 12:15; United States; Short Fiction; Non Competition

In this dark comedy, a devious thief pilfers lunches from the company refrigerator. Staff employees are out for blood. Where will the food bandit strike next?!!!

Anna is angry and Buddha laughs
Dir: Lian Ram; 11:00; Israel

Anna is torn between the well-being that the Buddha gives her during meditation and her anger at the violence that is rampant in society, she sets out to see if she can let go of the anger

SLAVES TO WATER
Dir: Bertrand Jack Daniel LOYER; 10:00; France; Short Fiction; Non Competition

In the south of Madagascar, the village of Belemboké has no running water, no taps and no school. To access liveable amounts of water, 3 kids have to travel excruciating distances and make their way underground to the bowels of the Earth... everyday.

Letting Go
Dir: Ori Krichly; 13:13; Israel; Short Fiction; Non Competition

A child finds a novel but dangerous way to escape the savage fighting between his divorcing parents.

MAMA'S BOY
Dir: Yotam Deshe; 9:58; Israel; Short Fiction; Non Competition

Nitai is trying to get the money to get his cancer-stricken mother back for medical treatment. The problem is that his attempts prevent him from being with her in her last days.

LIFE AFTER DEATH
Dir: Yinnon Weil; 11:10; Israel; Short Fiction; Non Competition

Daniel lost his older brother in a car accident. At school, the Israeli memorial day ceremony for fallen soldiers and terror attack victims (Yom HaZikaron) is coming up, and Daniel attempts to find a space for his grieving among the children who have lost siblings in a wartime context.

IT'S ONLY IN YOUR MIND
Dir: Vered Yaari; 19:50; Israel; Short Fiction; Non Competition

Dror’s active army service in a commando unit is interrupted by a traffic accident, which leaves him in a wheelchair. Depressed and angry, he spends many hours alone trying to prove to himself that he can walk again. Asked one day by his sister to babysit his 5 year old nephew, he is forced to face his new reality.

GOD CHILD
Dir: Daniel Dahan; 16:59; Israel; Short Fiction; Non Competition

In a neglected house, a boy whose mother is coping with mental illness demands a cure from God. But the depression has its own divine source, and the boy struggles to keep his balance and his faith as begins the painful process of growing up.

Kuinerraq
Dir: Magnus Shipe; 3:00; United States; Short Fiction; Non Competition

A young seventh grader explores the heritage of his maternal grandma through this glance at a Yu'pik village and his Native Alaskan roots.

Dreamland
Dir: Lucas Dye; 6:47; United States; Short Fiction; Non Competition

A collective in Mexico works to preserve Maya identity while conserving land through sustainable subsistence farming.

The bathday
Dir: Maria Antonova; 13:44; Russian Federation; Short Fiction; Non Competition

A young girl Sasha is released from prison. Her father meets her and takes her to the village where Sasha spent his childhood.

Enter the Room
Dir: Harry Waldman; 15:00; United States; Short Fiction; Non Competition

A young adult (Brian) is visited by his brother, Jeremy, who needs a place to stay as he settles into his new city. The two polar opposite personalities begin to clash as Jeremy's presence poses a threat to Brian's way of life. Brian's uptight personality and unreasonable living standards rub off on Jeremy, creating an incredible amount of tension. Bad blood, stemming from a traumatic past event reveals the shocking truth of the brothers' current situations, as Brian struggles to differentiate between reality and his worst nightmares.

It's Just Business
Dir: Judy Boyle; 8:07; Greece; Short Fiction; Non Competition

It’s Just Business is a surreal short film about the crime of human trafficking and modern slavery. But the point of view is unexpected and disturbing.
The film is surreal, dreamlike, non-linear and experimental.
​It’s Just Business was shot in 4k, filmed primarily in Greece and New Zealand-Aotearoa.
Running time is 8 minutes.

From the water
Dir: Diana Menestrey; 10:14; Germany; Short Fiction; Non Competition

A person wakes up. Due to a constant and symbolic metamorphosis, they gets the head of different animals. Through these metamorphoses, they is led intuitively to the search for a secret. This secret is generated in water and a fish is the only trace that can reveal to Them the consciousness of Their own origin.

"From the water" shows the relationship between intuition and memory of living beings. In his search, the protagonist becomes half human, half animal. They is guided by animal instincts, but also by what They thinks They remembers.