Call for Entries: IFFI’s Debut Best Web Series (OTT) Award Opens Doors for Online Creators and OTT Platforms
New Delhi, August 8, 2023 – In a pioneering move that underscores the burgeoning influence of digital entertainment, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has launched the first-ever Best Web Series (OTT) Award. Online content creators and Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms are invited to submit their original and captivating web series for consideration in this prestigious accolade. The winner of this distinctive award will be unveiled at the grand stage of the 54th edition of IFFI, scheduled to take place in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2023.
Championing OTT Excellence and Encouraging Creativity
The objective of the Best Web Series (OTT) Award is to celebrate the blossoming realm of OTT content and honor the innovative minds behind it. This initiative aims to foster growth, originality, and regional diversity within the Indian OTT landscape. It embraces web series content created and screened on digital platforms, championing exceptional talents who have harnessed the potential of the OTT realm. As part of India’s creative revolution, the award also seeks to drive investment and provide a platform for creators and OTT platforms to showcase their work and forge international connections through the esteemed IFFI.
A Vision for a New India Through Creativity
The inception of the award was officially announced on July 18, 2023, by the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Singh Thakur. Thakur, acknowledging the remarkable talent within India, urged content creators to narrate the story of a rising and aspirational New India—one ready to lead the world with its myriad dreams and untold narratives. With the launch of this award, the stage is set to recognize outstanding web series productions annually, commencing from the 54th International Film Festival of India.
A Window to Showcasing OTT Excellence
The introduction of the Best Web Series (OTT) Award aligns with the transformational journey of the Indian entertainment industry. A recent FICCI-EnY report highlighted the surge of new and original OTT content in India, totaling 3,000 hours in 2022. Viewership on OTT platforms has surged to 18 crores, surpassing cinema hall audiences by 6 crores, indicating the shifting entertainment landscape. The award aims to foster this evolution and honor the rich regional talent within the Indian OTT arena.
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
Web series eligible for the award must be original creations in any Indian language, commissioned, produced, co-produced, licensed, or acquired exclusively for OTT platforms. The series must have been released on an OTT platform between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, with a total runtime of at least 180 minutes. Additionally, each series must comprise a minimum of three episodes, each lasting 25 minutes or more, all tied together under the same title.
Content creators seeking recognition can submit their entries through the official online entry form available at the Award website: https://bestwebseriesaward.com/. The submission deadline is 6 PM on August 25, 2023, with the stamped and signed hard copy of the application due by August 31, 2023. The esteemed panel of judges, including eminent figures from the film and web series industry, will evaluate the entries and select the deserving winner.
Honoring Excellence and Innovation
The Best Web Series (OTT) Award promises to recognize the zenith of creativity, technical brilliance, and impactful storytelling within the realm of web series. The deserving recipient of this accolade will receive a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs, to be equally divided among the Director(s), Creator(s), and Producer(s) or Production house(s) or OTT Platform (in case of an original or co-production). Certificates of recognition will also be bestowed upon key individuals involved in the winning series.
The award selection process will be conducted by a two-tier system—comprising a Preview Committee and a Jury—both constituted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
For comprehensive eligibility guidelines and further details about the award, please visit the official Award website: https://bestwebseriesaward.com/. The rules and regulations governing the award can be accessed at the same platform.
