Odia short film Biswasth Sathi won 1st prize at the National Road Safety Short Film Festival

Bhubaneswar: The award ceremony of National Road Safety Short Film Festival, 2023 was held in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

‘Biswasta Sathi’, a film based on bond of dogs and human beings, directed by Amrutanshu Mohapatra from Balasore won the best film in the Odia category.

‘IF’ directed by Sreenath S from Kerala received the best film award in Non-Odia category. Both the top films spread message about importance of wearing helmet. They were felicitated by Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion Patnaik said, “Every life is precious. Road safety is a high priority area for our Government. Short Films are effective tool of communication for spreading the message of Road Safety.The first edition of film festival was appreciated by Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety and was adjudged as one of the best practices for Road Safety awareness.”

Patnaik said, “I hope these films will be screened throughout the state and create awareness about road safety. Together we can build a safer Odisha. My heartfelt gratitude to all the citizens for making it a people’s movement.”

He further informed other than Odisha there were entries from Punjab, Maharashtra, Kerala, Assam, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. “I am happy to learn that this year students from our neighbouring countries which include Nepal, Bangladesh and Kenya who are studying in Bhubaneswar have also sent films for the festival.”

Earlier in her address, Tukuni Sahu, Commerce & Transport Minister said, “What better way to spread the message of Road Safety than through the unlimited potential of visual storytelling? Odisha is known for zero casualty during natural calamities. Under the guidance of Chief Minister we will work towards making roads safer in the state.”
Among others, UshaPadhee, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport, Arun Bothra, Addl. DG, CID-CB &CMD, CRUT and Amitabh Thakur, Transport Commissioner, Odisha, actor Sabyasachi Mishra, Actress Archita Sahu were present at the closing ceremony.

Winners were selected by a judging panel of film industry professionals and non-industry professionals, luminaries from different walks of life. During the closing ceremony all the jury members of the festival were also felicitated.

The 42 shortlisted films were screened at Berhampur, Sambalpur and Angul in the first week of December. All the shows went houseful with the audience giving a rousing response to the festival. More than 5000 students, citizens saw the movies in these three cities.

This year a total of 247 entries were received in 7 languages from 8 states. Filmmakers, amateur film enthusiasts and students submitted entries in form of documentary, experimental, narrative, fiction, non-fiction and animation format.This includes 8 animation films and 7 silent films. Apart from Odia language, there were quite a few entries in Santhali language from tribal belts of the State.
The festival was organised with an aim to raise awareness about road safety issues and promote increased engagement in road safety cooperation in the state of Odisha as well as across the nation to reduce the road accidents and fatalities related to it.

The best film in both Odia and non-Odia categories got a cash award of Rs 1 lakh each, first runner-up got Rs 80,000 and the second runner-up received Rs 60,000.The best director, best music, cinematography and best actor/actress got Rs. 25,000 each in both the categories.