When?17th–20th
December, 2026
Where?Ravindra Bhawan, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India What PIFFI OffersExplore Benefits →
Who We Are
A celebration of storytelling
PIFFI is a meeting ground for dreamers, doers and cineastes at the cultural crossroads of Madhya Pradesh - the land that gave the world its very first paintings at Bhimbetka and timeless stories carved on the temples of Khajuraho.
We champion unique voices and authentic stories and help independent filmmakers find their place in the world. We build bridges between cinema and evolving technology, and between art and people. We showcase cinema that is rooted while reaching for the sky.
Festival Venue
Ravindra Bhawan, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
Bhopal, the cultural nerve-centre of Madhya Pradesh, represents a confluence of far-reaching historical legacies, deep musical roots, rich artistic traditions and a fascinating social spectrum. People’s International Film Festival of India foregrounds the diversity and spirit of inclusion that define the City of Lakes.
The festival is a global platform for filmmakers shaping the future of the medium and for audiences in search of cinema that excites, engages and entertains.
Screenings, masterclasses and the awards night will be held at Ravindra Bhawan, a state cultural complex operated by the Directorate of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh. Established in 1962 and named after Rabindranath Tagore, it has hosted national festivals including Bharat Rang Mahotsav and Lokrang for decades.
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Awards & Recognition
Up to
₹15,00,000
Total Prize Pool
[01]
Best Feature Film
70 Minutes and More
Recognising the most outstanding narrative feature for its creative and cinematic brilliance.
₹5,00,000
Trophy & Certificate
[02]
Best Director – Feature Film
Honouring the filmmaker whose vision, craft, and leadership brought an exceptional story to life.
₹3,00,000
Trophy & Certificate
[03]
Best Performance – Feature Film
Celebrating exceptional on-screen performances that move, inspire, and define the film.
₹1,00,000
Trophy & Certificate
[04]
Best Short Fiction Film
Recognising excellence in short-form storytelling — maximum impact, minimum runtime.
₹1,00,000
Trophy & Certificate
[05]
Best Feature-Length Documentary Film
Above 40 Mins
Awarded to an outstanding feature-length documentary that demonstrates exceptional storytelling, research, and cinematic excellence.
₹1,00,000
Trophy & Certificate
[06]
Best Short-Length Documentary Film
Up to 40 Mins
Honouring an exceptional documentary that powerfully captures real-life stories through compelling direction and authentic storytelling.
₹1,00,000
Trophy & Certificate
[07]
Best AI-Assisted Film
Awarded to a film that creatively integrates artificial intelligence with human vision to deliver exceptional innovation, storytelling, and cinematic excellence.
₹50,000
Trophy & Certificate
[08]
Best Artistic Contributor's Awards
Honouring outstanding technical and artistic excellence in filmmaking, celebrating exceptional contributions in Screenplay, Editing, Sound Design, Music, Cinematography, and other creative crafts.
Up to ₹2,50,000
Trophy & Certificate
[09]
Beyond the Trophy
Every official selection — not only category winners — receives a Certificate of Official Selection, digital laurels for promotional use, and a permanent listing in the PIFFI festival archive and catalogue.
For Every Film
Official Selection
Director, Performance and craft awards require no separate submission and are considered from selected films.
All Officially Selected films will receive a scheduled public screening at the Festival.
The Festival Experience
Besides being a space for screening films and encouraging audiences to engage directly with directors and technicians, PIFFI is a space for dialogue, discovery, and connection — where filmmakers, creators, and audiences come together and exchange ideas.
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01
Screenings
02
Panel Discussions
03
Industry Networking
04
Mini Retrospectives and Tributes
05
Awards Night
Press