The International Buddhist Film Festival is committed to presenting, archiving, and preserving Buddhist-themed or Buddhist-inspired cinema from all over the world. All types of films are sought: features, documentaries, shorts, animated works, children’s films, and experimental/art works. International Buddhist Film Festival (IBFF) particularly seeks films that explore the diversity of Buddhist experience, perspective, aesthetic or tradition, or which present a new, alternative take on Buddhist identity, culture, and/or history. (Please do not submit PSAs or institutional promotions, thank you.)
Works to be exhibited are chosen through a combination of program committee invitations as well as through international Call For Entries solicitations. IBFF is non-competitive; no prizes are awarded. Films include English language or subtitled works from all over the world, and embrace a very broad and fluid definition of “buddhist.” Premiere status is not a requirement.
GENERAL RULES
IBFF presents a continuous series of film festivals in several cities in a two-year season. Once accepted for IBFF presentation, films are eligible for all festivals in the season. Submissions are accepted year round; deadlines for specific festival events are posted as they are announced.
SUBMISSIONS
We welcome online submissions via FilmFreeway.
CATEGORIES
- Dramatic—any film made with actors performing a script
- Documentary—nonfiction works (but preferably not narration-driven)
- Animated Works—any work primarily of animation (of any kind)
- Television Works—any work produced specifically for television as part of a show, strand, or series
- Children’s Films—works that are designed for audiences under the age of 16
- Experimental/Art Works—short works that creatively approach Buddhist issues, iconography, practice, aesthetics, history, literature, culture, personalities, philosophy, places or art, or derive from or relate to meditation, even obliquely
ENTRY FEES
Up to 50 minutes in length: U.S.$45
Over 50 minutes in length: U.S.$60
EXHIBITION
The selected works will be screened from DCP. Please indicate with your submission if that’s not available, as there may be alternatives.
Selected films are also automatically eligible for non-exclusive hosting on our affiliated BuddhistFilmChannel.com (per separate license agreement), at such time as the film is available for online streaming; feel free to inquire if your film is selected.
PRESS MATERIALS
A press kit will be required for all selected works. This must include print-quality digital files of film stills, as well as Director’s biography, production notes, and film’s screening history (including festivals, theatrical, and broadcast). Instructions for delivery will be provided with selection notification.
