Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 03: The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival 2026 (DPIFF) announces the Top 50 Short Films for the 2026 edition. These films have been selected from entries received across the world.
The Top 50 list is part of the ongoing selection process, following the announcement of the Top 100 Short Films. The process will continue with further shortlisting leading to the Top 21 and Top 10 films.
The films have been selected from a large number of submissions reviewed by a panel of industry members. The selection is based on storytelling, concept, and execution.
DPIFF continues to support independent filmmakers and provide a platform for their work, carrying forward the legacy of Dadasaheb Phalke.
Congratulations to All Selected Filmmakers
DPIFF congratulates all the filmmakers whose films have made it to the Top 50. Your films have reached this stage after the selection process and are now part of the official list for 2026.
| SR. NO. | TOP 50 SHORT FILMS 2026 |
| 1 | AISE HEE (UNWARRANTED) |
| 2 | ALIEN BRIHASPATI |
| 3 | ALMARI KA ACHAAR |
| 4 | CELEBRATION |
| 5 | CHAARIKAANDHA |
| 6 | CHANCHAL ENTERPRISES |
| 7 | CHASING JUPITER |
| 8 | CHERYL |
| 9 | CYNAIDE |
| 10 | DARK LIGHT |
| 11 | DEAR 202 |
| 12 | DEEPA DIDI |
| 13 | DITTO |
| 14 | DP: DREAM PARALYSIS |
| 15 | ECHOES OF US |
| 16 | GOOD FOR NOTHING |
| 17 | HALF REAL HALF MAGIC |
| 18 | IN HALF |
| 19 | IN YOUR EYES AGAIN… |
| 20 | JAHAAN – THE LAST GIFT |
| 21 | KAALA VAZHU |
| 22 | KADAL KONDAAN |
| 23 | KEEL |
| 24 | KHWABEEDA |
| 25 | LAFDA-E-ISHQ |
| 26 | LAKSHMI |
| 27 | LLR (LOVE LUST RETRO) |
| 28 | MADHURI – END IS BEGINNING |
| 29 | MADKA – THE LAST RITES |
| 30 | MANYA 2 – IS THIS ACCEPTABLE? |
| 31 | MARIGOLD: THE TALE OF A GOD’S FLOWER |
| 32 | MEHTA & CO. |
| 33 | MOR ADHIKAR |
| 34 | NALLA NERAM VANTHACHU |
| 35 | NAZAR |
| 36 | PAANI |
| 37 | POOS KI EK RAAT |
| 38 | PRAVAAH – THE FLOW |
| 39 | SARAL |
| 40 | SOLOBATHA |
| 41 | STRINGS |
| 42 | SUNNY-MAN |
| 43 | TEA KOTTU’83 |
| 44 | TERE BIN: BRAIN OVERPOWERING HEART |
| 45 | THE HAPPY BIRTHDAY |
| 46 | THE RED FIRE FLY |
| 47 | TOUCH |
| 48 | UTSAB |
| 49 | VALAYAM |
| 50 | ZARIYA |
What’s Next?
• The selection process will continue with the announcement of the Top 21 Short Films
• Followed by the Top 10 Short Films
• The Top 10 films will be showcased at the DPIFF Short Film Screening Gala during the festival
Awards & Recognition
The Best Short Film will be honoured at the DPIFF Awards Ceremony with a cash prize of ₹1,00,000.
Additional recognitions include:
• 1st Runner-Up: ₹15,000
• 2nd Runner-Up: ₹10,000
• 3rd Runner-Up: ₹5,000
All winners will receive a trophy and official recognition.
About DPIFF: The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) is a platform that recognises work across film, television, and digital formats. The festival supports emerging filmmakers and continues to promote cinema at a global level.
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