Did you know legendary director Steven Spielberg began his filmmaking journey as a child with just his father’s 8 mm camera? Closer to home, a group of passionate locals from the small town of Malegaon, with no formal training, began making parodies of Bollywood films; eventually gaining national recognition as the “Superboys of Malegaon”. Their story is a powerful reminder that great filmmaking begins with passion, not resources.

And if you've got knack for that, here's an event that'll fascinate you: The Amren Lucknow Film Forum (LFF) is gearing up for the third edition of the Lucknow Short Film Festival coming up this October.

The Lucknow Short Film Festival celebrates passion and storytelling over equipment or experience. Whether you're a media student, aspiring filmmaker, or someone with a story to tell, LFF welcomes all. It doesn’t matter if your film was shot on a smartphone or a professional camera; what counts is your vision!

Submissions are now open at lucknowfilmforum.com, with the final deadline set for July 31, 2025.

In its third edition, the festival is raising the stakes; winners have a chance to take home prizes worth up to ₹1.5 lakh. Here are the categories open for submissions:

• Short Films

• Documentaries

• Films about UP Spiritual Circuits

Note: The runtime for each category should be between 2 to 45 minutes.

Entries will be evaluated by a distinguished jury of Bollywood filmmakers, screenwriters, directors, and noted media personalities.

AMREN Lucknow Film Forum (LFF) dedicates itself to nurturing a talent pool of filmmakers and proficient experts spanning diverse cinematic verticals within Uttar Pradesh. LFF diligently curates webinars, masterclasses, workshops, film festivals and beyond, advancing the quality of cinematic excellence in the state.

With Season 3 of the Lucknow Short Film Festival, LFF offers a powerful platform for filmmakers to gain recognition in front of leading voices in Indian cinema. The jury for LSFF Season 3 features an esteemed panel of storytellers, critics, actors, and filmmakers, visionaries who have shaped Indian cinema. This year’s panel includes Shri Rahul Rawail, Jyoti Kapur Das, Faisal Malik, Pankaj Kothari, Sanjeev Sharma, Rukhsana Tabassum, Svati Chakravarty Bhatkal, and Kabeer Khurana.

At its core, Lucknow Film Forum believes that every element of filmmaking plays a vital role in crafting a powerful cinematic experience. From screenplay and cinematography to sound design, music, editing, direction, and performance, each discipline will be recognised and rewarded. Just like a major film festival, LSFF will honour excellence across all these categories, celebrating the full spectrum of filmmaking talent.

As Lucknow Film Forum gears up for its third edition, the Lucknow Short Film Festival is set to offer the city a national-level platform dedicated to celebrating filmmaking. Hence, this is going to be a stage for emerging voices to gain real recognition and meaningful exposure!

With registrations closing on July 31, now is the time to transform your script into a compelling visual story. And if you already have a film ready, don’t wait, submit your entry today.

More than just an online showcase, LSFF Season 3 promises a vibrant on-ground experience! This October, selected short films will be screened in front of live audiences, followed by insightful panel discussions with jury members.

This year, the festival pays tribute to two legendary filmmakers who redefined Indian cinema: Guru Dutt and Raj Kapoor. The inaugural and closing day events will honour their iconic styles and lasting contributions to storytelling on screen.

Finally, the season will culminate in a highly anticipated finale on October 26, featuring a grand award ceremony. So, dust off your director’s chair, rally your crew, and bring your vision to life; Lucknow is ready to watch!

Have queries? Contact: +91 9792332444