Winner Announcement: Short Film Competition on Divyangjan Sashaktikaran- 2017
The lack of sensitivity and awareness in the society has been the key challenge in all work being done in the disability sector. This formed the basis of DEPwD’s ‘Short Film Competition on Divyangjan Shashaktikaran- 2017’.
The Competition was organised in order to create awareness on Accessible India Campaign and to promote various schemes of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) (DEPwD) among common masses.
The competition was launched in collaboration with Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) in July 2017 and was opened for submissions till August 2017.
The Short Film Competition invited applications in three categories viz ‘Short Documentaries’ of upto 30 minutes duration, ‘Short Films’ of upto 5 minutes duration and ‘TV Spots’ (Television Commercials) of upto 50 seconds duration.
The ‘Short Documentaries’ and ‘TV Spots’ were based on Accessible India Campaign theme while the themes of ‘Short Films’ were as under:
- Benefits of scholarship granted to Persons with Disabilities
Benefits of aids and assistive devices to Persons with Disabilities - Benefits of loans granted to Persons with Disabilities
- Benefits of accessible buildings to Persons with Disabilities
- Benefits of skilling Persons with Disabilities
- Benefits of NGOs working for Persons with Disabilities
In order to spread the word, the Department published two advertisements in national dailies across the country and joined hands with MyGov. More than 150 entries were received from across the country in the categories of Short Films, Documentaries and T.V. spot.
Eminent personalities from film and media, Ms. Aparna Sanyal, Mr. Krishnendu Bose, Mr. Nila Madhab Panda and Mr. Balakishnan Diwaker, were part of the jury scrutinizing the entries to draw out the best, which most aptly described the themes and connected the most with the audience. Also, Mr. K.V.S. Rao represented the Department in the panel of judges.
The award-winning movies would be used for educating and generating awareness among common masses during functions of the Department.
The award function of Short Film Competition on Divyangjan Sashaktikaran- 2017 was organised in association with Directorate of Film Festival (DFF) at Sirifort Auditorium, New Delhi on 9th November, 2017.
Total 10 awards were given in three categories of Documentaries, Short Films and TV Spots. The Chief Guest of the program, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot presented the awardees with certificate and mementos in a glittering ceremony.
In the program, the Students with Disabilities from Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) presented the National Anthem in sign language. This was followed by a mesmerizing fusion dance performance by the Students with Disabilities from A.L.P.A.N.A. Thereafter, a Ghoom;ar dance performance by specially abled children from Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust, left the audience spell bound. At the end of the event, full length films of the award winners were also showcased.
The list of winners is as under:
DOCUMENTARY
| S.No. | Film Name | Director | Producer | Prize and Cash Award |
| 1 | Sugmanya Bharat | Narendra Joshi | Narendra Joshi | FIRST
5, 00,000/- (Five lakhs) |
BEST SHORT FILM
| S.No. | Film Name | Director | Producer | Prize and Cash Award | Category |
| 1 | Azan | Suyash Shinde | Suyash Shinde | 4,00,000 (Four Lakhs Only) | Benefits of ADIP scheme camps and assistive devices to Persons with Disabilities |
| 2 | Achala | Abhay Punjabi | Abhay Punjabi | 4,00,000 (Four Lakhs Only) | Benefits of loans granted to Persons with Disabilities |
| 3 | Tum main aur Hum Sab | Amit Sonkar | Amit Sonkar | 4,00,000 (Four Lakhs Only) | Benefits of accessible buildings to Persons with Disabilities |
| 4 | I Know Sign Language | B . D . Banshkar | Films Division | 4,00,000 (Four Lakhs Only) | Benefits of skilling Persons with Disabilities |
TV SPOTS
| S.No. | Film Name | Director | Producer | Prize and Cash Award |
| 1 | Zebra Crossing | Jyotsna Puthran | Jyotsna Puthran | FIRST
5, 00,000/- (Five lakhs) |
| 2 | This is Me | Shivani | Social Access | SECOND
3,00,000/- (Three lakhs) |
- Three five-minute-long movies were specially mentioned by jury members for its quality content. The movies are as follows:
| S. No. | Film Name | Category | Applicant’s name/Director/producer |
| 1. | Abhinaya | – | Film Division of India |
| 2. | Diler Arunima Singh | – | Film Division of India |
| 3. | Dot | TV Spot | Jyotsna Purthan |
