States » SouthPosted at: Sep 30 2026 8:06PM


IDSFFK: ‘Bhintila Paath’ wins Best Short Fiction, ‘Political UBU’ Best Long Documentary

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 30 (UNI) Marathi film ‘Bhintila Paath’ won the Best Film award in the Short Fiction category, while Malayalam documentary ‘Close Up Up Close - The Making of Political UBU’ was adjudged the Best Long Documentary at the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), which concluded here on Wednesday.
‘Bhintila Paath’, directed by Shekhar Bapu Rankhambe and produced by Vaibhav Kamble and Aditya Tambe, received Rs 2 lakh and a certificate.
The jury appreciated the film’s humorous yet poignant treatment of superstition, effortless narrative flow and performances that brought the story to life.
‘Close Up Up Close - The Making of Political UBU’, directed by Kamal K M and produced by Sudha Padmaja Francis and Prakash Bare, also received Rs 2 lakh and a certificate.
The jury praised the film for documenting the process through which a 1896 French anarchist text acquires contemporary relevance through the work of a group of actors in Kerala. It also appreciated the film’s sensitive portrayal of themes of greed, power and authoritarianism through theatre.
In the Short Documentary category, ‘Friends of Jilipibala’, directed by Debalina Majumder and produced by Samata Biswas, won the Best Short Documentary award carrying Rs 1 lakh and a certificate.
The jury described the Bengali film as a tender and politically resonant work built around 12 years of observation, giving animals, trees and a child a significant presence while questioning humanity’s relationship with other living beings.
‘Coal Diggers of India’, directed by Ashutosh Jare and produced by Atul Tarde and Ashutosh Jare, won the Second Best Short Documentary award carrying Rs 50,000 and a certificate.
The jury recognised its uncompromising portrayal of people living and working amid fires, toxic air, collapsing earth and deprivation of basic amenities, while examining the human and environmental costs associated with coal-based development.
‘Lunar Birds’, directed by Srishti Garg and produced by Shivani Yadav, received a Special Jury Mention for its exploration of women reclaiming the night as a space where they can live, work, move and dream without fear.
In the Long Documentary category, ‘My Otter Diary’, directed by Sugandhi Gadadhar and produced by Raghunath “Rana” Belur, was adjudged the Second Best Long Documentary and received Rs 1 lakh and a certificate.
‘Going Solo’, directed by Ameya Gore and produced by Vikas Kumar and Sharib Khan, received a Special Jury Mention for its intimate portrayal of two women negotiating their bodies, identities, strength and desire to win, while also examining the vulnerabilities and support systems behind sporting achievement.
In the Campus Films section, ‘Marrah’ (Malayalam), directed by Muhammed Jaseel K and produced by South Indian Film Academy, won the Best Campus Film award carrying Rs 50,000 and a certificate.
The jury noted the film’s authentic details, effective performances and an ending that leaves a feeling of loss and longing. ‘Ozhukku’ (Malayalam), directed by Vishnu Pushkaran and produced by Ashok Kumar P B, received a Special Jury Mention for its deft handling of the protagonist’s journey and its hopeful conclusion.
In the Short Fiction category, ‘A Mouse And A Man/Khoabjomin’ (Bengali), directed by Sahadeb Das and produced by Shibchandra Das, won the Second Best Film award carrying Rs 1 lakh and a certificate.
‘Maram Marankothi’ (Tamil), directed by Darwin Annakumar and produced by Nishanth Masilamani, received a Special Jury Mention for presenting a relevant issue while bringing alive the spirit of nature and its relationship with humans.
Shubhangi Bhujbal won the award for Best Acting for ‘An Oyster Life’, with the jury praising her realistic and restrained performance. Naseem Azad was adjudged Best Cinematographer for ‘Paradise Fall’ for his use of the digital medium to portray village life in a colourful and magical manner.
Sajeesh Swaminathan received the Kumar Talkies Award for Best Editing in a Short Documentary for ‘Close Up Up Close - The Making of Political UBU’. The award carries Rs 20,000 and a certificate.
The jury appreciated the film’s editing structure, which moves between rehearsal and stage, life and politics, and body and costumes, maintaining the energy and movement of theatrical expression.
Premkrishna Akkattu won the Shashi Anand Memorial Award for Best Cinematography in a Documentary for ‘Auto Queens’. The award, instituted by the family of filmmaker Shashi Anand in memory of filmmaker Shashi Anand, carries Rs 25,000 and a certificate.
The jury praised the camera for moving seamlessly between proximity and distance while capturing conversations, journeys and the changing urban landscape.
The 18th IDSFFK was held in Thiruvananthapuram from September 25 to 30.
UNI DS
Tags: #IDSFFK: ‘Bhintila Paath’ wins Best Short Fiction# ‘Political UBU’ Best Long Documentary
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