Rules & Regulations
Objective:
The CMS Lucknow ICFF 2026 seeks to create a global platform where creators of children’s films can share their perspectives and contribute to nurturing the limitless potential of young minds through meaningful, value-driven films. The festival aspires to harness the transformative power of cinema to inspire learning, empathy, and imagination in children, while fostering friendship, mutual respect, and cooperation among people across the world.
1. Date and Place
The 15th CMS Lucknow International Children’s Film Festival will be held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from 6th to 12th April, 2026.
2. Programme
The programme of the ICFF 2026 will be broadly divided into the following categories:
- Feature Fiction
- Short Fiction
- Feature Animation
- Short Animation
3. Exclusive Rights
The Festival Directorate reserves the right to exclude any film that does not conform to the aims and objectives of CMS Lucknow International Children’s Film Festival, or or that may offend the national sentiments and sensitivities of any participating country, promote racial discrimination, or otherwise undermine the cause of human unity.
4. Details
- Films must be for children of all ages.
- Films must have been completed between June 1st 2024 and December 30th
- Eligibility period will be determined by the censorship visa/certificate of the country where the film has been produced.
- Entries will be subject to preview by a committee constituted by this Festival. A film which is not accepted for the Competition Section can be shown in another Section with the specific consent of the entrant.
5. Awards
The following prizes will be awarded to the winners.
| Sl. | Category | Award Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best Children’s Feature Fiction Film | The director will receive a golden trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000/-, and the producer will receive a certificate and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000/-. |
| 2 | Best Children’s Animation Feature Film | The winning director will be honoured with a golden trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000/-. The producer will receive a certificate and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000/-. |
| 3 | Best Short Animation Film | The director will be recognised with a silver trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹60,000/-. The producer of the movie will receive a certificate and a cash prize of ₹40,000/-. |
| 4 | Best Short Fiction Film | The winning director will receive a silver trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹60,000/- while the producer will receive a certificate and a cash prize of ₹40,000/-. |
| 5 | Special Jury Award – Dr Jagdish Gandhi & Dr Bharti Gandhi Award | The director will be honoured with a silver trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹60,000/-. The producer will receive a certificate and a cash prize of ₹40,000/-. |
| 6 | Dr Jagdish Gandhi Memorial Audience Award | The director will receive a silver trophy and a certificate for his movie. |
6. Submission Link for Selection
A file of the film (preferably in PAL format) may be submitted so as to reach the Festival no later than 30th November 2025.
The film may be submitted online at cmsfilmfestival@gmail.com or cmsicff@cmseducation.org (via FilmFreeway platform, Dropbox, Vimeo, or any other downloadable link) in HD quality, without watermark, with English subtitles embedded (burned-in) in the video.
7. Entry of Films in the Festival
Film producers, distributors, their duly authorised representatives, or authorised government organisations/agencies of the participating countries may enter their films for the competition through the Entry Form.
8. Invitation of Films
The Festival organisers reserve the right to invite films they consider suitable for screening in the Festival.
9. Submission of the Entry Form
The Entry Form, duly completed separately for each film proposed to be entered, must reach the Festival Director either online or by post by 30th November 2025.
10. Withdrawal of Films
Once a film has been entered for the Festival, it cannot be withdrawn.
11. Freight and Other Charges
DVDs for screening during the Festival should be sent at the sender’s cost via international courier. The Festival will not bear freight or any other charges for unsolicited films/videos sent to it if these are not selected for screening in the Festival.
12. Subtitling
Films will normally be screened in their original language/version. Films in languages other than English must have English subtitles. Films that arrive without subtitles, or with subtitles in languages other than English where English subtitles are required, shall not be screened in the Festival.
13. General Regulations
- Films must be suitable for children. Content should contain no explicit violence, sexual references, or coarse/obscene language.
- Participants must ensure they hold all necessary rights to participate in the 15th CMS International Children’s Film Festival 2026, including permissions from all parties connected with the production/distribution of the film and/or other rights holders/licensors.
- Participation in the Festival implies acceptance of these Regulations.
- As per Festival policy, no screening fee will be paid to the producer or distributor for screening the film.
14. Enclosures
The following materials must be submitted:
- One copy of the Entry Form
- Two copies of the film in DVD format with English subtitles, or any downloadable link in HD quality
- A data CD or downloadable link containing:
- Synopsis of the film in English
- Film stills (maximum 2)
- Director’s photograph
These materials may also be sent via email to: cmsicff@cmseducation.org or cmsfilmfestival@gmail.com
15. Online Submission
Films may also be submitted online via any downloadable link in HD quality with English subtitles embedded in the video or with an .SRT subtitle file, at cmsicff@cmseducation.org.
16. Screening Schedule
The organisers of the Festival reserve the right to make changes to the screening schedule of films.
17. Submission of Bank Details for Cash Awards
Winners eligible for cash prizes must submit their complete bank details by 30th June 2026, along with the PE Declaration Form. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the cash award, and no further claims regarding the prize money will be entertained thereafter.