Bhubaneswar, Dec 13 – Biswasta Sathi, a film based on bond of dogs and human beings, directed by Amrutanshu Mohapatra won the best film in the Odia category at the National Road Safety Short Film Festival, 2023 held here on Tuesday.
‘IF’ directed by Sreenath S from Kerala received the best film award in the Non-Odia category. Both the top films spread the message about the importance of wearing helmets.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest felicitated them with a cash award of Rs.1 lakh each.
As many as 42 shortlisted films were screened at Berhampur, Sambalpur and Angul in the first week of December.
This year a total of 247 entries were received in 7 languages from 8 states. Filmmakers, amateur film enthusiasts and students submitted entries in the 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 Santali 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 received a cash award of Rs 1 lakh each, first runner-up got Rs 80,000 and the second runner-up got Rs 60,000.
The best director, best music, cinematography and best actor/actress received Rs. 25,000 each in both the categories.
Speaking on the occasion Patnaik said, “Road safety is a high priority area for his Government. Short Films, he said, are an effective tool of communication for spreading the message of Road Safety.
The first edition of the film festival was appreciated by the 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 to build a safer Odisha.
Other than Odisha there were entries from Punjab, Maharashtra, Kerala, Assam, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.
The Chief Minister said he was 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.”
Commerce & Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu said Odisha is known for zero casualty during natural calamities.
The winners were selected by a judging panel of film industry professionals and non-industry professionals, luminaries from different walks of life.
