MiNFA Awards – Eligibility Rules & Regulations

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The Mising National Film Awards (MiNFA), organized by the All India Mising Cultural Foundation (AIMCF), celebrate and honor outstanding achievements in Mising cinema and Mising culture. Eligibility for the MiNFA Awards is governed by the rules outlined below. The MiNFA Advisory Board reserves the right to amend or introduce additional regulations whenever necessary. General Eligibility To be eligible for consideration, all films must meet the following requirements unless otherwise specified for a particular award category. 1. Film Duration The submitted film must be a feature-length motion picture with a minimum running time of 40 minutes. Documentary and short film categories shall follow the duration specified under their respective categories. 2. Eligibility Period The film must have been initially released, officially premiered, publicly exhibited, or screened between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2025. 3. Accepted Forms of Release Given the diverse methods of Mising cinema exhibition, the following release formats are eligible: Public theatrical releases, community or village screenings, cultural program screenings, official film premieres, film festival screenings (if applicable), educational or institutional screenings, public exhibitions organized by recognized organizations, and digital or online releases (if applicable). A release on OTT platforms or digital streaming services is NOT mandatory for eligibility. 4. Original Production The submitted film must be an original Mising-language motion picture produced for public exhibition. 5. Producer's Declaration The nomination form must be completed, signed, and submitted by the Producer, Production House, or an authorized representative, confirming the accuracy of all provided information. 6. Copyright & Ownership The Producer must certify that they legally own or possess all intellectual property rights necessary to submit the film for MiNFA consideration. By submitting the nomination, the Producer grants AIMCF and MiNFA permission to use approved clips, posters, still photographs, trailers, and promotional material solely for MiNFA Award Ceremony, nominee presentations, promotional campaigns, social media promotion, television or online broadcast, and official publications. Ownership of the film remains with the Producer. 7. Required Submission Materials Each submission must include: a completed nomination form, film synopsis, official poster, trailer (if available), high-resolution still photographs, official credits list, release or screening details, Producer's declaration, and proof of public exhibition (if available). 8. Film Credits Awards shall be determined based on the official screen credits submitted by the Producer. MiNFA reserves the right to verify the authenticity of all submitted credits. 9. Disputes In the event of any dispute regarding ownership, credits, authorship, or eligibility, the MiNFA Advisory Board reserves the right to suspend, reject, or disqualify the submission until the matter is resolved. 10. Language The primary spoken language of the film must be Mising. Films containing limited dialogue in Assamese, Hindi, English, or other languages for storytelling purposes shall remain eligible, provided that Mising is the principal language. 11. Final Authority The decision of the MiNFA Jury, Advisory Board, and Organizing Committee regarding eligibility, nominations, and awards shall be final and binding. Award Year (MiNFA 2026) For the inaugural MiNFA Awards 2026, films released, premiered, or publicly exhibited between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2025 shall be eligible. Submission Submitting a film automatically confirms that the Producer agrees to all MiNFA Rules, Regulations, and Terms & Conditions. All submissions must be received before the official submission deadline announced by MiNFA. Once submitted, entries cannot be withdrawn after the nomination closing date except under exceptional circumstances approved by the MiNFA Organizing Committee. Disclaimer The MiNFA Organizing Committee reserves the sole right to determine the eligibility of every submission. MiNFA may reject, disqualify, or transfer a submission to a more appropriate award category if it determines that the original category selected does not accurately represent the submitted work. The decision of MiNFA shall be final in all matters relating to eligibility, nominations, awards, and interpretation of these rules.

Crew Details for Film in the context of cinema awards

  Producer

  Director

  Executive Producer

  Story Writer (Original)

  Story Writer (Adapted)

  Screenplay Writer

  Dialogue Writer

  Cinematographer

  Film Editor

  Music Director

  Background Score Composer

  Lyricist

  Playback Singer (Male)

  Playback Singer (Female)

  Sound Designer

  Sound Mixing Engineer

  Choreographer

  Special Effects (VFX) Supervisor

Award Categories in Mising Awards

  Best Picture

  Best Director

  Best Performance in a Leading Role (Male)

  Best Performance in a Leading Role (Female)

  Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Male)

  Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Female)

  Best Performance in a Negative Role

  Best Music Direction

  Best Story (Original)

  Best Story (Adapted)

  Best Lyrics

  Best Playback Singer (Male)

  Best Playback Singer (Female)

  Best International Film (English Language Original)

Technical Awards recognizing Mising culture

  Best Cinematography

  Best Screenplay

  Best Dialogue

  Best Editing

  Best Choreography

  Best Sound Design

  Best Sound Mixing

  Best Background Score

  Best Special Effects

B. MUSIC ALBUM Album Details

  Album Title

  Song Title

  Language

  Genre

  Duration

  Release Date

  Production House / Music Label

Crew Details

  Producer

  Director

  Singer (Male)

  Singer (Female)

  Composer / Music Director

  Lyricist

  Music Arranger

  Music Programmer

  Recording Engineer

  Mixing & Mastering Engineer

  Cinematographer

  Editor

  Choreographer

  Costume Designer

  Makeup Artist

Award Categories in Mising Awards for music

  Best Music Album

  Best Music Video

  Best Male Singer

  Best Female Singer

  Best Music Director

  Best Lyricist

  Best Music Composer

  Best Music Arrangement

  Best Music Programming

  Best Cinematography (Music Video)

  Best Editing (Music Video)

  Best Choreography (Music Video)

  Best Director (Music Video)

  Best Debut Singer

  Best Debut Music Director

General Rules for Eligibility for the Mising National Film Awards (MiNFA) are governed by the following Rules, Regulations, and Eligibility Criteria. The MiNFA Advisory Board and Organising Committee retain the right to amend, interpret, or introduce additional rules as necessary to uphold the integrity of these cinema awards. 1. Eligibility Period For the inaugural MiNFA Awards 2026, all eligible films must have been initially released, officially premiered, or publicly exhibited between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2025. A film does not need to have been produced during this eligibility period; however, its first official public release or exhibition must occur within the specified dates. 2. Accepted Forms of Release Given the unique nature of the Mising culture and film industry, a film will be deemed eligible if it has been officially released or publicly exhibited through any one or more of the following: Commercial theatrical release; Community or village screenings; Official film premiere; Film festival screening; Cultural or social event screening; Educational or institutional screening; Government or recognised organisational screening; Digital or online release, where applicable. Note that a release on OTT or digital streaming platforms is not mandatory for eligibility. 3. Public Exhibition The submitted film must have been made available for public viewing through at least one recognised exhibition platform or organised public screening during the eligibility period. Private screenings for cast, crew, investors, or internal reviews do not qualify as public exhibition. 4. Eligible Film Categories The following productions are eligible for submission, provided they meet all applicable MiNFA eligibility requirements: Feature Films; International Feature Films (English Language Original); Music Albums / Music Videos (under separate submission guidelines). 5. Ineligible Content The following shall not be eligible for MiNFA consideration unless specifically announced under a separate category: Film trailers; Promotional teasers; Sizzle reels; Advertisements or commercial films; Television commercials; Television serials or episodes; Web series; Documentary films (unless a separate category is introduced); Short films (unless a separate category is introduced); Behind-the-scenes videos; Re-edited or incomplete versions of previously released films. 6. Language Requirement The primary spoken language of the submitted film must be Mising. Films containing limited dialogue in Assamese, English, Hindi, or other languages for creative or storytelling purposes will remain eligible, provided that Mising is the principal language. Films dubbed into Mising after their original release shall not be eligible unless approved by the MiNFA Advisory Board. 7. Film Duration A Feature Film must have a minimum running time of 40 minutes. Duration requirements for future categories such as documentaries or short films will be published separately if introduced. 8. Original Work The submitted film must be an original creative work or a legally authorised adaptation. The Producer must ensure that all necessary copyrights, permissions, licences, and intellectual property rights have been obtained before submission. 9. Producer's Responsibility The Official Film Submission & Nomination Form must be completed and submitted by the Producer, Production House, or an Authorised Signatory. The Producer must: certify the accuracy of all information submitted; ensure that all nominated cast and crew members have been informed of their nominations; submit all required supporting documents within the prescribed deadline; and accept responsibility on behalf of the production for compliance with all MiNFA Rules and Regulations. 10. Submission Materials Each submission must include: Completed Official Nomination Form; Official Film Poster; Trailer or Promotional Video (if available); Film Viewing Link or Screening Copy; Official Cast & Crew Credits; Synopsis; Proof of Release, Premiere, or Public Screening (where available); and any additional supporting documents requested by MiNFA. 11. Credits Verification Eligibility for every award category shall be determined from the official screen credits submitted by the Producer. MiNFA reserves the right to verify, amend, accept, or reject any submitted credit where sufficient evidence is available. 12. Copyright and Promotional Rights By submitting a nomination, the Producer grants the All India Mising Cultural Foundation (AIMCF) and MiNFA a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use approved excerpts, trailers, posters, still photographs, and promotional materials solely for: Jury screening; Nomination announcements; Awards presentations; Official publications; Social media; Television and digital promotion; Media coverage; and Archival documentation of the MiNFA Awards, which celebrate the vibrancy of Mising culture. All copyrights and ownership of the submitted film shall remain with the Producer or the lawful copyright holder. 13. Disputes Any dispute relating to ownership, copyright, authorship, credits, or eligibility will be reviewed by the MiNFA Advisory Board. MiNFA reserves the right to suspend, reject, or disqualify any submission until such disputes are satisfactorily resolved. 14. Finality of Submission All submissions shall be considered final after the official submission deadline. No nomination may be withdrawn, modified, or replaced after the closing date except with the written approval of the MiNFA Organising Committee. 15. Final Authority The MiNFA Jury, Advisory Board, and Organising Committee shall have the sole authority to determine eligibility, nominations, category placement, and award decisions. All decisions made by MiNFA shall be final and binding and shall not be subject to appeal.