Indywood Academy Awards (IAA) honors the outstanding work in Indian cinema that upholds excellence, inspires imagination and connects Indian Cinema with the rest of the world. A rather symbolic representation of your future potential success, it recognises cinematic excellence sans language, region and cultural boundaries.

The Awards shall be conferred during the award ceremony (the Indywood Academy Awards) scheduled at Hyderabad

Award of Merit in the form a trophy would be conferred for the following achievements:

  • Best Actor in a Leading Role
  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role
  • Best Actress in a Leading Role
  • Best Actress in a Supporting Role
  • Best Child Artist
  • Best Original Screenplay
  • Best Adapted Screenplay
  • Best Picture
  • Best Director
  • Best Children's Film
  • Best Choreography
  • Best Animated Feature
  • Best Foreign Language Film
  • Best Performance in a Leading Role -Foreign Language Film
  • Best Cinematography
  • Best Costume Design
  • Best Sound Editing
  • Best Sound Mixing
  • Best Visual Effects
  • Best Film Editing
  • Best Makeup
  • Best Music Direction
  • Best Lyrics
  • Best Male Playback Singer
  • Best Female Playback Singer
  • Best Art Direction

Films released between 1st Sept, 2017 - 31st Aug, 2018, is eligible to compete for Indywood Academy Awards

All eligible motion pictures must be:

  • Feature length (60 minutes or more)
  • Publically exhibited by means of 35mm or in a 24- or 48-frame progressive scan Digital Cinema format with a minimum projector resolution of 2048 by 1080 pixels, source image format conforming to ST 428-1:2006 D-Cinema Distribution Master – Image Characteristics; image compression (if used) conforming to ISO/IEC 15444-1 (JPEG 2000); and image and sound files packaged as Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) in either “Interop” or “SMPTE DCP” formats. SMPTE DCP refers to SMPTE ST429-2 and related specifications.
  • The audio in a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) is typically 5.1 or 7.1 channels of discrete audio. The minimum for a non-mono configuration of the audio shall be three channels as Left, Center; Right (a Left/Right configuration is not acceptable in a theatrical environment).
  • The audio data shall be formatted in conformance with ST 428-2:2006 D-Cinema Distribution Master – Audio Characteristics and ST 428-3:2006 D-Cinema Distribution Master – Audio Channel Mapping and Channel Labeling.
  • Must have had a paid run in a commercial theatre
  • Must have been released as per the specified deadlines.
  • Films that, in any version, receive their first public exhibition or distribution in any manner other than as a theatrical motion picture release will not be eligible for Academy Awards in any category. Nontheatrical public exhibition or distribution includes but is not limited to:
    • Broadcast and cable television
    • PPV/VOD
    • DVD distribution
    • Internet transmission
  • Submissions open on our website www.indywoodacademyawards.com Applicant can use any of the options to submit their entry.
  • If the language of the film is other than English, it should be sub-titled or dubbed in English.

The last date of submission is 15 th September 2018

  • The Jury for IAA will consist of a Chairman and not less than two and not more than eight other members. The decisions of the jury will be taken by a simple majority of the members present and voting.
  • Jury will determine the winning films and will be composed of individuals selected by the IAA Authorities. The decision of Jury will be final and binding to all.
  • The Jury has the right to withhold an award in any category where no entries, in the Jury’s view, meet its standards for award / recognition.
  • The jury can evolve its own rules for assessment of the entries.
  • No person in any way connected with the production or commercial exploitation of a competitive entry will be a member of the jury.
  • All members of the jury will refrain from releasing any articles or reviews to the press concerning the film submitted for their judgement until after jury’s decision have been formally announced at the closing function
  • Entries will be previewed by Pre-Selection Committee and the shortlisted films will be forwarded to the Jury for final selection
  • The decision of the selection committees will be final & binding on all and will not be subject to discussion.
  • A film can be submitted for multiple award categories.
  • Films may be entered by any organization / agency or by an individual film Producer / Director who hold the copyright. There is no restriction on number of entries.
  • IAA is under no obligation to provide comments or feedbacks regarding the submitted film to applicant or any other representative of the submitted film.
  • For promotional / publicity purposes, clippings from any film entered in the festival may be shown on the National / International Television / Local network / Internet, etc.
  • Entry Forms with incorrect / inadequate / illegible / ambiguous particulars and not submitted along with the required certificate / undertaking will not be considered.
  • A performance by an actor or actress in any role shall be eligible for nomination either for the leading role or supporting role categories.
  • If, however, all the dialogue has been dubbed by another actor, the performance shall not be eligible for award consideration. Singing that is dubbed will not affect the performer’s eligibility unless it constitutes the entire performance.
  • The determination as to whether a role is a leading or supporting role shall be made by the jury at the time of evaluation

An animated film is defined as a motion picture in which movement and characters’ performances are created using a frame-by- frame technique, and usually fall into one of the two general fields of animation: narrative or abstract. Some of the techniques of animating films include but are not limited to hand- drawn animation, computer animation, stop-motion, clay animation, pixilation, cutout animation, pin screen, camera multiple pass imagery, kaleidoscopic effects created frame-by- frame, and drawing on the film frame itself. Motion capture and real- time puppetry are not by themselves animation techniques.

Eligibility
  • An animated feature film must have a running time of more than 40 minutes.
  • In an animated film, animation must figure in no less than 75 percent of the picture's running time.
  • In addition, a narrative animated film must have a significant number of the major characters animated.
  • If the picture is created in a cinematic style that could be mistaken for live action, the filmmaker(s) must also submit information supporting how and why the picture is substantially a work of animation rather than live action
  • The print or DCP submitted for consideration must be identical in content and length to the print or DCP used for the qualifying exhibition.

To be eligible for the Costume Design award, the costumes for the picture must have been conceived by a costume designer. It is the intention of this rule to recognize the designing of costumes for their special use in motion pictures.

Makeup refers to any change in the appearance of a performer’s face, head, or body created by the application of cosmetics, three- dimensional materials, prosthetic appliances, or facial hair applied directly to the performer’s face, head, or body. Hairstyling refers to any change in the appearance of a performer through hairstyling, wigs or hairpieces applied directly to the performer

The producers, or directors, and responsible makeup artists and hairstylists of the motion pictures selected for Awards consideration shall be required to provide the committee with film or digital excerpts of selected scenes showing the achievements.

The individual(s) who shall be credited for IAA purposes must have screen credit of “producer” or “produced by.” Persons with screen credits of executive producer, co-producer, associate producer, line producer, produced in association with or any other credit shall not receive nominations or statuettes. The nominees will be those three or fewer producers who have performed the major portion of the producing functions

Eligibility for this award shall be limited to the production designer and set decorator primarily responsible for the design of the production and the execution of that concept.

When the environment of a film is substantially composed of animation and digital artistry,the designer most responsible for that achievement also may be considered. In the case of fully animated feature films, the production designer alone shall be considered for that film.

Eligibility for this award shall be limited to the sound editing supervisor(s) – not to exceed two – directly involved in and primarily responsible for the planning, creation, direction,and execution of the sound design and editing for each achievement.

  • The supervisor(s) must be the primary creative decision maker and principal interpreter of the director’s vision to the sound editing team.
  • The supervisor(s) must approve the sound effects and their specific placement in the film, coordinate the creation of newly designed sound and Foley effects, and coordinate the editing of dialogue and ADR.
  • The supervisor(s) must oversee the recording of the pre-dubs and be present at the final mix. In the event the above responsibilities are divided, both co-supervisors must adhere to the above criteria.

A foreign language film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (defined as over 40 minutes) produced outside India with a predominantly non-English dialogue track. Animated and documentary feature films are permitted.

Eligibility
  • TThe motion picture must be first released in the origin country no earlier than 1st Sept, 2017 - 31st Aug, 2018, and be first publicly exhibited for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theater for the profit of the producer and exhibitor.

  • Submissions must be in 35mm or 70mm film, or in a 24- or 48-frame progressive scan Digital Cinema format with a minimum projector resolution of 2048 by 1080 pixels, source image format conforming to ST 428-1:2006 D-Cinema Distribution Master – Image Characteristics; image compression (if used) conforming to ISO/IEC 15444-1 (JPEG 2000); and image and sound files packaged as Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) in either “Interop” or “SMPTE DCP” formats. SMPTE DCP refers to SMPTE ST429-2 and related specifications. (Blu-ray format does not meet Digital Cinema requirements.)

  • The audio in a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) is typically 5.1 or 7.1 channels of discrete audio. The minimum for a non-mono configuration of the audio shall be three channels as Left, Center, Right (a Left/Right configuration is not acceptable in a theatrical environment).

  • The audio data shall be formatted in conformance with ST 428-2:2006 D-Cinema Distribution Master – Audio Characteristics and ST 428-3:2006 D-Cinema Distribution Master – Audio Channel Mapping and Channel Labeling.

  • The film must be advertised and exploited during its theatrical release in a manner considered normal and customary to theatrical feature distribution practices. The film need not have been released in India.

  • Films that, in any version, receive a nontheatrical public exhibition or distribution before their first qualifying theatrical release will not be eligible for Academy Awards consideration. Nontheatrical public exhibition or distribution includes but is not limited to:
    • Broadcast and cable television
    • PPV/VOD
    • DVD distribution
    • Internet transmission

  • The recording of the original dialogue track as well as the completed picture must be predominantly in a language or languages other than English. ACCURATE,LEGIBLE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE SUBTITLES ARE REQUIRED.

  • The submitting country must certify that creative control of the motion picture was largely in the hands of citizens or residents of that country.

  • Submission
  • The following submission materials must be submitted:
    • Completed online submission forms
    • 35mm or 70mm film print or DCP with accurate, legible English-language subtitles.The print or DCP submitted for Awards consideration must be identical in content and length to the print or copy used in the film’s theatrical release.
    • Digital content delivery
    • Full cast and credits list
    • Brief English-language synopsis of the film
    • Director’s biography, filmography and photograph
    • DA poster from the film’s theatrical release
    • Proof of advertising for the film’s theatrical release

  • Films submitted will be retained by the Academy throughout the voting process. By submitting a film, the filmmaker agrees that the award organisers have the right to make copies and distribute them for voting purposes only.

IAA Authorities reserve the right to accept or not to accept any films on any ground including the likelihood of the film offending the feelings of any state, religion, country or on the grounds such as racism and religion

Eligibility for all awards shall first be determined by credits as they appear on the screen and/or as certified to the IAA by the producing companies, but final determination in any event shall be made by the IAA Authorities. The IAA Authorities shall not be bound by any contract or agreement relating to the sharing or giving of credit, and reserves the right to make its own determination of credit for purposes of Awards consideration.

Decisions of the Award Authorities regarding all matters not expressly provided for in these regulations or which require interpretation of the clauses mentioned above shall be final & binding on all parties.

It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to secure clearance from the copyright holders of any copyrighted materials included within the submitted film. IAA will not be held responsible for the unauthorized inclusion of any copyrighted materials within or relating to the submitted film. IAA reserves the right to disqualify any film with any unauthorized inclusion of copyrighted materials.

The DVDs sent for selection as well as digital tapes / media sent for the final screening will be retained for the IAA Archive. Also, CDs / DVDs, containing photographs & publicity material received with the Entry Form will not be returned.

Cost of transportation of tapes / media and all related documents, publicity materials to the IAA Office shall be borne by the entrant

All disputes in respect of any matter relating to the IAA shall be subjected to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts and forums in Ernakulam.

All Communications, Entries, DVDs, and Documentation should be sent freight prepaid, addressed to:


The Awards Directorate
Indywood Academy Awards
BCG Tower, Opp. CSEZ, Seaport Airport Road,
Kakkanad Cochin – 682037 India.


Mail us:
submissions@indywoodacademyawards.com

Drop your film via:
Filmfreeway/indywoodacademyawards / Withoutabox/indywoodacademyawards

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