Kerala State Film Awards 2023: 42 Films Advance To Second Round, Young Filmmakers Shine

Kerala State Film Awards 2023: A total of 42 films have made it to the second round of the Kerala State Film Awards. Out of the 154 films that were submitted, 42 were chosen by two primary juries.

It has been reported that a significant number of the films selected for the second round were directed by young filmmakers.

The Chief Jury, led by Bengali director and actor Gautam Ghosh, has commenced the viewing of these films. From the pool of shortlisted films, a final selection of 10 films will be considered for the awards. All major awards will be given to these films, while the films rejected in the preliminary round are less likely to receive an award.

Primary Jury Members

Director Nemam Pushparaj and director/artist K. K. Madhusudhanan served as presiding judges in the preliminary panel and are also part of the final jury.

The primary jury consisted of writers V. J. James and Dr. K. M. Sheeba, director Roy P. Thomas, producer B. Rakesh, director Sajas Rahman, and editor and director Vinod Sukumaran. Additionally, C. Ajoy, the secretary of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, fulfils the role of member secretary for both the primary and final juries.

This primary round marks the first time such a large number of films have competed. In the previous edition, there were 142 films, and during the Covid era, 80 films participated.

Mammootty's "Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam," "Bheeshma Parvam," "Rorschach," "Puzhu," Mohanlal's "Bro Daddy," "Twelfth Man," "Alone," and "Monster," Prithviraj's "Jana Gana Mana," "Kaduva," "Kaapa," "Theerppu," "Gold," and Kunchacko Boban's "Nna Thaan Case Kodu," "Ariyippu," and "Pakalum Pathiravum" were reportedly among the films in the primary round.

Lijo Jose Pellissery's "Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam" and Tarun Murthy's "Saudi Vellakka" received awards at various film festivals. Many films with diverse themes that attracted public attention participated in the primary round. "Nna Thaan Case Kodu" is one such film, with Kunchacko Boban portraying a thief.

Several participating films were yet to be released. Prominent directors like Jayaraj, Sathyan Anthikad, Vinayan, and T.K. Rajeev Kumar were also part of the competition.