Entry Rules

1.     No Entry or Screening Fees:

DIFF does not charge any entry or submission fees. Likewise, no screening fees will be paid to filmmakers for participating films. 

2.     Final Selection Authority:

The DIFF Preview Committee holds the sole authority to make final decisions regarding film selection and category placement. While entrants may suggest a preferred section, the committee reserves the right to reassign or reject any film based on its overall merit and suitability for the festival. Please note that the festival is devoted to fiction feature films. Documentary and short films may only be included in Women Filmmakers, Short and Independent Films, Spiritual Films and in other special sections where it is deemed fit. 

3.     Bangladesh Festival Premiere Requirement:

Films submitted must be Bangladesh festival premieres. Any film previously screened at another festival within Bangladesh is ineligible for submission to DIFF. 

4.     Eligibility Based on Production Year:

Priority will be given to films produced in the most recent calendar year. However, exceptions may be made for films completed within the preceding year, at the discretion of the committee. 

5.     Censorship and Certification:

No film will be screened at DIFF without a Screening Certificate issued by the Bangladesh Film Censorship Board. This is a mandatory requirement for all selected films.  

All officially selected films will be reviewed by a Special Preview Committee under the Board. This committee will assess the content for issues including (but  not limited to) nudity, obscenity, sexually explicit material, promotion of homosexuality, disrespect or defamation of any religion, or any content that may potentially harm Bangladesh’s international relations. Based on this assessment, the Board will determine whether a film is eligible for public screening during the festival. If required, the festival will implement cuts or apply blurring in accordance with the Board’s official guidance. By submitting a film to DIFF, the filmmaker acknowledges and agrees to comply with this process and any resulting modifications. 

6.     Category Limitations:

Each film may be submitted to one category only. A film maker cannot submit or have multiple films selected in the same category. However, multiple submissions by the same filmmaker are allowed, provided each film is considered under different categories as determined by the Preview Committee. 

7.     No Resubmission of Previously Submitted or Rejected Films:

Films that have been previously submitted—whether accepted or rejected—are not eligible for resubmission in any subsequent edition of the festival. 

8.     Technical Specifications and Delivery Format:

DIFF screenings will take place at venues such as Alliance Française de Dhaka, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and Bangladesh National Museum  Auditorium. These are non-theatrical auditoriums equipped for MP4 (HD) playback only. DCP format is not supported. All selected films must be submitted in high-resolution MP4 format, with hardcoded English subtitles or a separate SRT file. The final screening copy must be submitted via a downloadable email link within the specified deadline. 

9.     Withdrawal and Violation Policy:

Once a film is officially selected, it cannot be withdrawn from the festival under any circumstances. If the filmmaker, producer, or distributor is found to have violated any festival rule—such as falsely claiming Bangladesh festival premiere status, demanding screening fees, misrepresenting the production year, or deliberately causing complications related to censorship clearance—the DIFF organizing committee reserves the right to take legal action against the responsible party.