CALORIE Film Festival | Call For Entries
Science Gallery Bengaluru, in collaboration with Bangalore International Centre, is excited to announce the CALORIE Film Festival, happening on April 11 and 12. We invite filmmakers to share completed works in any language, format, or genre that explore the theme of our ongoing exhibition-season, CALORIE.
Food shapes our daily lives—from what we grow and how we prepare it to the flavours we enjoy and the nutritional choices we make. It carries stories of labour, community, tradition, and innovation, spanning fields, kitchens, and markets. From the farmer ploughing the soil to the gig worker navigating city streets, food reflects the complex social, economic, and ecological systems that bring nourishment to our plates.
This year, the CALORIE Film Festival explores the journeys of food and the people who make them possible. We welcome films that examine gastronomy, nutrition, livelihoods, agricultural and community practices, and the everyday work that sustains our food systems.
Submissions are open to independent filmmakers, amateurs, and professionals alike. Whether documentary, fiction, experimental film, or animation, we encourage storytellers to offer fresh perspectives on how food moves through our world—from growth to consumption.
Alongside screenings, the festival will feature panel discussions, workshops, and public programmes that invite audiences to reflect on the food they eat, the systems behind it, and the choices we make every day.
The last date to apply is 15 January 2026. The final schedule of films will be released in March 2026.
Timeline:
15 December 2025: Call goes live
15 January 2026: Call closes
01 February 2026 : Notification to selected filmmakers
20 March 2026: Schedule goes live
11-12 April 2026 : CALORIE Film Festival
Submission Guidelines
Eligibility: We are looking for completed films that explore our relationship with CALORIE. We are open to worldwide submissions from broadcasters, producers, filmmakers, film students, researchers, scientific organisations, NGOs, public organisations, and online channels. To submit an entry, please follow the submission guidelines and use the online application form during the period when the festival is open to submissions.
Formats: We accept submissions across formats: Shorts, Documentaries, Features, Animations or Experimental films.
Submission formats and preview copies: Please upload a copy of your film in the online application form. If you are facing any issues with the form, you can also submit previews of full films online, either via Vimeo or any other file transfer service such as Dropbox or WeTransfer, to programmes@bengaluru.sciencegallery.com.
You can also mail us physical copies of your film to our address: Science Gallery Bengaluru, 10-11 Bellary Rd, Ganga Nagar Layout, Ganganagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560024
Copies of your submission will be stored in the SGB archives. Mailing costs for the submissions have to be borne by the submitter and need to reach us on or before the deadline.
Language: We accept films across all languages, but would prefer films with subtitles.
Screening costs: The festival is a free event, and there are no costs levied on submissions. Selected filmmakers will be offered a nominal fee, and you are free to apply for additional funding for travel, and SGB is happy to support the application for additional funding.
Selection and notification: Shortlisted filmmakers will hear from us in February 2026. We are not able to provide feedback on specific submissions at any stage of the selection process. Directors/producers/distributors will be contacted immediately on selection of their films, and any additional requests for material or publicity may be made at the time. The schedule for the films will be made available in March 2026. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, SGB reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason.
Travel Costs: On the day of the festival, travel to and from the venue should be borne by the filmmakers
Permissions: The submitter is responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions for the film and its content, including music, images, and trademarks.
Checklist for submissions:
Copy of completed film with English subtitles
Completed application form
Synopsis of the film
CV of Director
Biographical note of cast and/or crew, where appropriate
4-5 high-quality still images
Contact information: Please get in touch with programmes@bengaluru.sciencegallery.com in case of any queries.