The site says “Filmaka Membership is now free and films can be submited in English and all Indian Languages.” Not sure if that means free uploading.

This is a good idea to get serious filmmakers to create good content, but I think the approach needs to change.

In this era of piracy, where you can easily get all the new Bollywood/Hollywood movies off the Internet or next door DVD store, how many people will pay $5 (is it lifetime?) to the site to view short movies?

As you pointed out, the site is confusing. There are too many elements in the form of points, cash rewards, jury and what not. The ticker on the homepage adds to the confusion.

Here is a very similar website, of course for a western audience- http://www.howcast.com/

Howcast pays film makers to post videos (http://www.howcast.com/help/guides/1454-Can-I-Start-Earning-Money-Before-My-Video-Becomes-Popular)

But Filmka is clever. They get paid to host them!