Cinmaa community

Have a story?

Every filmmaker has one. So does everyone who has sat in the dark and been changed by a film.

Cinmaa publishes essays, craft breakdowns and behind-the-scenes stories from filmmakers, critics and cinema lovers everywhere. Tell us yours.

We are looking for pieces that teach the reader something about how cinema works: a scene you have studied frame by frame, a lesson from your own short film, the story behind a technique, or a guide to a film culture you know well. Films from every language are welcome, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada cinema alongside world cinema.

What makes a good submission

  • One clear idea, explained with specific films and scenes.
  • Your own words and your own experience. We do not accept copied or machine-generated articles.
  • Around 600 to 1,500 words, with any film stills credited to their owners.

Every submission is read by the editor. If we publish your piece, you are credited by name, and we may edit for clarity and length with your approval.

What we publish

Essays
Close readings of a scene, a film or a filmmaker.
Craft breakdowns
How a shot, a cut or a sound was made, from people who made it.
Behind the scenes
Production diaries, festival journeys and the making of short films.
World cinema
Film cultures and industries that deserve a wider audience.

How it works

  1. Send a short summary using the form.
  2. We reply within two weeks, whether or not it is a fit.
  3. If it is, we edit it with you and publish under your name.

Submit your story

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