1st Dharti Aaba
Tribal Film Festival 2025
- Open to all filmmakers, animators, and storytellers working on tribal stories.
- Entries of all films / documentaries (hereafter collectively called Films) shall be accepted only through Google Drive. Before nomination please create a Google drive link for sharing files. see Submission Process
- Films must reflect themes related to tribal culture, heritage, social issues, or the environment. see Themes
- All films must be in a digital format (HD, upto 4K). see Technical Requirements
- Films must be subtitled in English (subtitles must be embedded in the video and separate subtitle file will not be considered).
- Only Films released after Dec 31, 2020 are eligible for competition.
The festival will invite entries based on the following themes, which are integral to tribal narratives:
- Identity and Resistance: Films that explore the challenges tribal communities face in preserving their identity and resisting external forces.
- Indigenous Wisdom, Knowledge Systems and Tribal Philosophy (environmental consciousness): Documentaries or narratives that showcase the traditional knowledge systems, ecological practices, and sustainable lifestyles of tribal societies.
- Tribal Art, Culture, and Aesthetics: Visual celebrations of tribal art forms, music, dance, and other cultural expressions in the context of conflict and change.
- Community Transformation: Stories of positive or upward mobility within tribal societies that inspire hope and progress.
- Tales of Empowerment from Tribal communities: Narratives highlighting the pivotal roles and contributions within tribal communities (especially the role of women).
- Biopics / Epics: Films that document the lives and achievements of tribal leaders, freedom fighters, and other significant figures who have shaped history.
- Slice of Tribal Life: Work of art that depicts the mundane experiences of tribal life
To accommodate diverse storytelling formats, the festival will accept submissions in the following categories:
- Fiction (above 60 minutes)
- Documentary (above 50 minutes)
- Short Documentary (5 minutes to 50 minutes)
- Short Fiction (5 minutes to 50 minutes)
- Animation (5 minutes to 50 minutes)
- New Media/Mobile Films (90 seconds to 5 minutes)
- All submissions must be made through the official festival website providing a Google link and uploading relevant files there.
- Online Submission Form: Fill out the online submission form with complete details, including film synopsis, director’s biography, and production details etc.
- Google Drive Link: Provide a Google drive link with editing rights to jharkhand.tri@gmail.com. No physical DVDs or Blu-rays will be accepted.
- The folder in the Google Drive should contain the following -
- HD Copy of movie: For competition and screening in the festival (mandatory)
- Government issued photo ID card of Applicant (mandatory)
- Film Poster and Stills: Provide at least 3 high-resolution stills from the film and the official poster for promotional use (optional)
- Trailers: Submit a 1 minute trailer if available, along with the film’s details (optional)
- A word file containing information on director, script writer, cinematographer, editor, sound designer, music director, cast etc (applicant may add additional information in this word file about film that he/she wants the jury might want to know) (optional)
- Ownership and Rights: Filmmakers must ensure that they hold all rights (including intellectual property rights) for all content submitted, including music, visuals, and audio. By submitting their work, filmmakers confirm that they own or have obtained necessary licenses for the use of all third-party content included in the film.
- Festival Rights: By submitting the film, the filmmaker grants the festival organizers a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to screen the film during the festival and use excerpts for promotional purposes (including trailers, teasers, and online promotion) both before and after the event.
- Publicity: Filmmakers agree that their film may be used in promotional materials, including festival programs, posters, and online marketing, with no further compensation. The festival may also include the film's title, poster, and stills in any published materials related to the event.
- Third-Party Permissions: The festival organizers are not responsible for any copyright infringement issues that may arise from content submitted by filmmakers. Filmmakers must ensure they have all necessary permissions for any third-party content.
- Screening Rights: Filmmakers confirm that they are willing to allow their film to be screened at the festival if selected. Films selected for screening cannot be withdrawn from the festival after confirmation.
- Festival Liability: The festival organizers will take reasonable care to ensure that films are handled securely. However, the festival is not responsible for any loss, theft, or damage to the films or materials during the event. Filmmakers are advised to retain copies of their films.
- Indemnification: By submitting to the festival, the filmmaker agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the festival organizers, sponsors, and partners from any claims, actions, or damages arising out of the filmmaker’s violation of any rights, including but not limited to copyright infringement.
- Video Format: mp4, .mov
- Resolution: 720p, upto 4K resolution
- Audio: 32 bit 48 KHz STEREO
- Subtitles: Film must have English subtitle embedded in the video (no separate subtitle file will be considered)
Films may be disqualified at any stage if they fail to meet the festival's criteria, guidelines, or submission requirements.
This includes, but is not limited to, the submission of incomplete forms, non-compliance with technical requirements, or failure to provide necessary permissions and rights for submitted content.
Jury decisions shall be final & binding.
© Dr Ramdayal Munda Tribal Welfare Research Institute Morabadi, Ranchi, Jharkhand
Contact us: jharkhand.tri@gmail.com