Kunjappi directed by Vishal Viswanath and Iddah directed by Shammas Jamsheer shared the award for the best short film at the fifth Chavara Short Film Festival, held from December 1 to 3 at Chavara Cultural Centre in Kochi.
Five best short films selected by the jury are Diary of an Outsider, Time Loop, Ulsava Rathriyile Kallan, Raghavan and Ala. A jury chaired by renowned filmmaker K. G. George, with directors George Kithu, Shyamdhar and Antony Sony as members and veteran cameraman P.J. Cheriyan as convener selected the best film and the best director. The winners were announced during the valedictory function.
The organisers had received several entries from which more than 50 films were selected for screening at the film festival. No specific theme was prescribed for the films. There was an interaction session between the directors of short films and the jury members on Tuesday.
The Chavara Cultural Centre focuses on promotion of art and culture and encouragement of talents irrespective of caste and religion. The short film festival is aimed at encouraging the production of short films of high aesthetic and technical standards.
The Chavara Chalachitra Guruvandana Puraskaram 2019 was received by veteran actor Sheela and Chavara Yuva Prathibha Puraskaram 2019 was given to Madhu C. Narayanan, in recognition of directorial excellence reflected in his debut film Kumbalangi Nights.
