National Level Short Film Festival Recognizes Outstanding Films on Disability Empowerment

Bhubaneswar: The National Level Short Film Festival ‘Samarthya,’ organized by the Odisha State Government’s Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, honored winners in various categories Wednesday.

The festival aimed to raise awareness about disability issues, highlighting the challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PwDs) and advocating for their rights and participation in mainstream society.

Over 150 entries from filmmakers across India were received, with 71 short films being selected after a rigorous two-stage process. These films, ranging from 2 to 5 minutes, showcased impactful stories of disability empowerment. The festival awarded a total cash prize of ₹10 lakh to the outstanding filmmakers.

In the Best Film (Regional – Odia) category, The Expression by Anusaya Das Choudhury and Siba Prasad Mohanty won the award, while Andh Dristi by Deva Pratim Saikia Production claimed the Best Film (National) title.

The Best Director Award was shared by Arabinda Jena for Possible and Papu Sahu for Jibana. Additionally, Sourav Kumar Patra received the Best Actor Award for The Spirit of Freedom, and Urbasi Das was honored as the Best Actress for Samarthya. Notably, two Divyang individuals were celebrated for their exceptional acting performances in these categories.

The festival was successfully executed under the leadership of Ramesh Barik from RR Events & Cine Productions, with creative guidance from Shyama Prasad Mishra. This initiative, inspired by the vision of the Honorable Prime Minister and Chief Minister of Odisha, aims to enhance the global awareness of Odisha’s cultural heritage while empowering PwDs.