Zee Short Film Contest: A Platform For New Voices
Zee is gearing up for the grand finale of its first-ever nationwide multilingual short film contest, a platform designed to discover emerging filmmakers from across India. Launched earlier this year, the contest invited aspiring creators to submit original short films shot entirely on smartphones, open in eight Indian languages. The initiative aims to democratize filmmaking, giving a stage to stories from diverse regions, cultures, and traditions.
The contest has grown into a massive storytelling movement, and the finale promises to be a landmark evening in Mumbai, celebrating India’s next generation of cinematic talent. Winners will be announced across eight language categories, with top films acquired by Zee for streaming on ZEE5 and telecast on its network of television channels.
Jury Roundtable: Anurag Kashyap And Fellow Filmmakers Share Insights
The distinguished jury, comprising Anurag Kashyap (Hindi), Ravi Jadhav (Marathi), Nag Ashwin (Telugu), Srijit Mukherji (Bengali), P. Samuthirakani (Tamil), Hemanth Rao (Kannada), and Lijo Jose Pellissery (Malayalam), came together for an exclusive roundtable discussion moderated by Rajeev Masand. The conversation explored evolving storytelling formats, regional narrative ecosystems, and the future of Indian cinema.
Anurag Kashyap noted that short films are a pure space for storytelling, where filmmakers can take risks and experiment freely. He praised the platform for bringing that spirit to a national stage. Hemanth Rao added that the future of cinema depends on boldly supporting experimentation, giving young filmmakers confidence to explore. Nag Ashwin remarked that some of the most exciting ideas come from new voices unconstrained by format or convention, and the accessibility of filmmaking today is unlocking a new wave of imagination.
Ravi Jadhav highlighted India’s strength in regional storytelling traditions and how this initiative brings diverse voices into a shared creative space. Srijit Mukherji observed that cinema is transcending language and geography, and platforms like this ensure strong stories find their audience. Lijo Jose Pellissery commented on the constant evolution of Indian cinema and the need to discover voices that challenge and expand storytelling. Samuthirakani reflected on stories rooted in lived experience carrying deep emotional truth.
Prizes, Recognition, And A Grand Celebration
The grand finale will take place at a premium hotel in Mumbai, bringing together emerging filmmakers, industry leaders, and creative stakeholders. Winners will be recognized across key segments including Best Film, Best Actor, Best Cinematographer, Best Editor, Best Writer, Best Composer, Best Comedian, along with several special jury awards. Each language category winner will receive a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakhs.
Further amplifying visibility, the top films from each language will be acquired by Zee, streamed on ZEE5, and showcased across television channels like Zee Zest, Zing, Zee TV, Zee Marathi, and others. This multi-platform approach ensures that emerging creators get exposure on both digital and traditional media. The Zee Short Film Contest stands as a celebration of India’s creative diversity and the growing power of emerging storytellers across the country.