Awards & Prizes

All categories are juried by industry professionals. Awards and prizes are subject to change.

The Hollywood International Film Festival (HiFF) proudly presents the following award categories:

For Season 2025, HiFF will host an International Short Films Showcase, with a limited official selection screened at the festival. At the end of the event, the HiFF jury will announce the winners in all categories. Cash prizes and the coveted People’s Choice Award will also be revealed, recognizing the best in global filmmaking.

Awards and Prizes

We give prizes in following categories:

    • GRAND JURY PRIZE
      USD $500 CASH PRIZE
      YOUNG PROMISE AWARD
      USD $250 CASH PRIZE
    • PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD
      USD $250 CASH (THIS AWARD WILL BE DETERMINED BY AUDIENCE VOTE)

Main Award Categories

The Main Awards at the Hollywood International Film Festival honor excellence across various aspects of filmmaking, recognizing the incredible talent and hard work of filmmakers, actors, and creators. These awards celebrate the creative vision, technical expertise, and artistic contributions that define the best in cinema, from writing and directing to acting and producing.

    • Best Feature Film (English-language)
      Recognizes the best feature-length film produced in the English language.
      Best International Feature & Short Film (Non-English)
      Celebrates outstanding feature-length and short films produced in languages other than English.
    • Best Comedy Film (Feature & Short)
      Awards the best comedic films in both feature-length and short formats.

Regional and Language-Specific Categories

This section celebrates films and music videos that highlight unique cultural and linguistic traditions from around the world. It honors creative excellence in storytelling and artistic expression, with a focus on regional cinema and music that resonates globally.

    • Best Indian Feature and Short Film
      Recognizes exceptional Indian feature-length and short films.
      Best Middle Eastern/Arab Feature and Short Film
      Honors films that reflect the cultural and cinematic depth of the Middle Eastern and Arab world.
    • Best Punjabi Feature and Short Film
      Recognizes outstanding storytelling and cinematic excellence in Punjabi-language feature and short films, celebrating cultural richness and creative vision.
      Best Punjabi Language Music Video
      Honors exceptional Punjabi-language music videos that showcase artistic expression, cultural storytelling, and visual creativity.

Filmmaking & Directorial Excellence

This section honors outstanding achievements in directing, writing, and the creative aspects of filmmaking that shape powerful storytelling and bring films to life.

    • Best Film Screenplay (Short & Feature)
      Celebrates the best-written screenplays in both short and feature-length films.
      Best Debut Feature (Male/Female)
      Honors first-time directors in feature-length films, with separate awards for male and female filmmakers.
    • Best Debut Short (Male/Female)
      Recognizes the best short films directed by first-time filmmakers.
      Best Director (Male/Female)
      Awards the best directing talent in both short and feature films, with separate recognition for male and female directors.

Documentary & Special Focus

This section recognizes impactful documentaries and films that address significant social, cultural, or human rights issues, celebrating powerful storytelling and real-world insights.

    • Best Feature/Short Documentary (Male/Female)
      Recognizes the best documentaries in both feature-length and short formats, with awards for male and female directors.
      Best Documentary Feature & Short (International)
      Celebrates outstanding non-English documentary films from around the world.
    • Best Human Rights Film (Feature & Short)
      Honors films that focus on human rights issues, promoting social justice and awareness.

Student & Emerging Talent

This section celebrates the creativity and innovation of new filmmakers, recognizing outstanding student films and fresh voices in the world of cinema.

    • Best Narrative Film (Male/Female)
      Awards outstanding narrative storytelling in both short and feature films, with male and female director recognition.
      Best Student Film (Short & Feature)
      Celebrates exceptional films by student filmmakers in both short and feature formats.
    • Best Independent Film (Low Budget, Short & Feature)
      Honors independent films produced on a low budget, covering both short and feature-length formats.
      Best New Voices in Cinema (Feature & Short)
      Recognizes emerging filmmakers who bring fresh perspectives to both short and feature films.

Technical & Genre Categories

This section honors excellence in the technical aspects of filmmaking, including cinematography and editing, as well as films that excel in specific genres like horror, thriller, and sci-fi.

    • Best Experimental Film (Feature & Short)
      Celebrates innovative and unconventional films in both feature and short formats.
      Best Music Video (International)
      Recognizes exceptional music videos from international filmmakers.
    • Best International Live Theater Performance
      Awards the best live theater performances from international productions.
      Best International Animation (Feature & Short)
      Honors animated films from international filmmakers in both short and feature-length formats.
    • Best Genre Film (Horror, Thriller, Sci-Fi, etc.)
      Recognizes excellence in genre filmmaking, including horror, thriller, and sci-fi.
      Best Cinematography (International)
      Celebrates the best visual storytelling in international films.

Performance & Production

This section recognizes exceptional acting performances and the vital roles of producers in bringing films to life, celebrating both creative talent and leadership in filmmaking.

    • Best Lead Performance in a Film (Actor/Actress)
      Awards the best lead performance by an actor or actress in a feature-length or short film.
      Best Producer
      Recognizes outstanding leadership and creativity by a producer in bringing a film to completion.
    • Best Editing
      Honors exceptional editing in both short and feature-length films.
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