About

Launched in 2022, the Chalchitra Film Festival has emerged as a leading platform for smartphone filmmaking in India and globally. Chalchitra is South Asia's only competitive mobile film festival, organized annually by the School of Liberal Studies and Media at UPES, Dehradun. The festival champions the democratization of creative expression, empowering filmmakers to craft compelling fiction and nonfiction narratives using smartphones. It provides a dynamic space for emerging and established storytellers to push creative boundaries. Through workshops, screenings, and discussions, Chalchitra fosters a vibrant community of digital-first filmmakers.

Objective

Chalchitra aims to:

Provide a global platform for mobile filmmakers to showcase their talent and creativility.
Foster appreciation for diverse film cultures and socially relevant narratives.
Highlight the potential of mobile filmmaking in addressing sustainability challenges.

This year’s theme—Exploring Society, Politics, Psychology, and Cinema for Sustainable Futures—reinforces the festival’s commitment to leveraging storytelling as a catalyst for meaningful change.

Awards and Prizes

Best International Film (under 15 minutes): ₹40,000 + Trophy + Certificate
Best in India (Documentary, under 15 minutes): ₹15,000 + Trophy + Certificate
Best in India (Fiction, under 15 minutes): ₹15,000 + Trophy + Certificate
Best in UPES (under 15 minutes): ₹5,000 + Trophy + Certificate
Best Editing: Trophy + Certificate
Best Script: Trophy + Certificate
Best Cinematography: Trophy + Certificate
Best Sound Design: Trophy + Certificate
Best Direction: Trophy + Certificate

Note:Prizes will be in the form of gift vouchers/coupons.

March 20, 2025 (Thursday)

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Inaugural Ceremony
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: High Tea
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Fiction Short Film Showcase - The Nolans and Torantinos of UPES
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch Break
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Fiction Short Film Showcase (continued)
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Media Studio Visit

March 21, 2025 (Friday)

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Documentary Film Showcase - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: High Tea
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM:Documentay Film Showcase (continued)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch Break
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Open Forum
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Valedictory and Award Ceremony

Organizing Committee

Director: Dr. Seema Shukla - 9501999615- seema.shukla@ddn.upes.ac.in
Committee Members:
Dr. Kaustav Padmapati - 9899441382 - kaustav.padmapati@ddn.upes.ac.in
Dr. Minhaj Abdullah - 9993055766 - minhaj.abdullah@ddn.upes.ac.in

Eligibilty

Films must have English subtitles.
Minimum duration: 1 minute | Maximum duration: 15 minutes.
Films must be completed between September 1, 2023, and March 10, 2025.
Last Date for Submission: March 10, 2025

Registration

For National Resgistration -

Click Here

For International Registration -