THE BACKGROUND:
For nine years, NilgirisNext Foundation has been bringing the world to Ooty. This December, the 9th edition of the Ooty Short Film Festival will unfold a celebration of pure cinema with zero barriers, zero fees, and zero compromises.
The festival is built on the belief that storytelling should be open to all: filmmakers submit their work at no cost, audiences attend without ticket charges, and viewers across India encounter narratives from Tehran, Toronto, and Tokyo that broaden horizons. It provides a platform for talented Indian creators to present their films to an international jury.
This vision has sustained the festival for nearly a decade, and now the foundation seeks support to keep the spirit alive.
THE 9th EDITION:
The Ooty Short Film Festival - 9th edition, to be held on 26th December, celebrates pure cinema with zero barriers, zero fees, and zero compromises. Filmmakers submit their work at no cost, audiences attend for free, and stories from Tehran to Toronto broaden perspectives for Indian viewers. To address Ooty’s unpredictable weather, all screenings are conducted in climate‑controlled indoor venues, and a flexible schedule with buffer time accommodates any disruptions. Strong local partnerships and real‑time communication ensure smooth operations and keep participants informed. This transparent approach reinforces the festival’s commitment to reliability and impact.
It costs just INR 6L to bring the 3-day Ooty Short Film Festival to life.
Supporting this Festival means investing in filmmakers’ dreams, bringing world‑class cinema to rural India, and turning the Nilgiris into a cultural beacon. It creates opportunities for local youth, gives emerging creators from developing nations international exposure, and ensures stories remain accessible to all. The festival’s impact is reflected in 500 submissions, 100 screenings, 52 countries, and a 100 % free experience over three days, proving that excellence and accessibility can coexist.
THIS IS OUR FESTIVAL AND WE NEED TO KEEP IT ALIVE!
WHAT ARE WE SCREENING?
Over 500 global submissions were whittled down to 100 extraordinary short films, representing 52 countries across every continent. 18 world‑class jury members from 10 nations, together with citizen jurors from Ooty, curated three days of uninterrupted, pure storytelling.
The festival charges no submission or ticket fees, ensuring full accessibility. It focuses purely on cinema—no talk shows, celebrity meet‑ups, or workshops, letting films, juries, and community interaction create the experience. The Golden Elephant Awards recognize excellence, while local charm, tea, chocolate, and mist make the event a blend of film and place.
THE GOLDEN ELEPHANT AWARD:
The Golden Elephant Award is the highest recognition at the Ooty Short Film Festival, honoring excellence in cinematic storytelling, creativity, and innovation. It is presented in five categories: Best Director, Best Film, Best Performer, Best Cinematographer, and Best Editor. Additionally, the Green Elephant Award celebrates the best film on environmental themes. Overseas winners receive a limited‑edition NFT, minted on the Ethereum blockchain via OpenSea, linking traditional film achievement with digital art.
(Pic: Inaugural pictures from the 8th edition of the Ooty Short Film Festival)
The festival removes barriers for filmmakers by offering free, no-strings submissions, affirming that every story matters. It invites audiences to experience global cinema without tickets or fees, making the world accessible on screen. For youth in Ooty and across India, it inspires creation by showing what’s possible when cinema belongs to everyone.
EXPENSES:
VENUE - THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS, OOTY:
The historic Assembly Rooms in Ooty, built in 1861, is a colonial‑era landmark renowned for its elegant architecture and vibrant cultural gatherings. Our 9th Ooty Short Film Festival hosts free screenings of extraordinary shorts from 52 countries. This blend of heritage charm and global cinema creates an unforgettable experience for filmmakers and audiences alike.
JOIN US AT THE HISTORIC VENUE FOR OUR 9th EDITION OF THE OOTY SHORT FILM FESTIVAL.
LOCATION MAP:
THE NILGIRISNEXT FOUNDATION FOR ART AND CULTURE:
NilgirisNext Foundation for Art and Culture (NXF) evolved from a deep-seated commitment to community engagement and the transformative power of the arts. This journey began with the legacy of the Nilgiri Film Club and the internationally recognized Ooty Short Film Festival.
This evolution has been consistently inspired and guided by the vision of a noted photographer and art curator, whose passion for cultural heritage and community-led initiatives motivated a small club to grow into a formal foundation.
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