AHSFF 2026

"Avala Hejje" Women's Kannada Short Film Festival

After a highly successful maiden edition, the second (2026) edition of the Avala Hejje short film competition drew entries from across Karnataka, including a short film by a non-resident Kannadati from America selected for screening.

From an intensely competitive pool, an esteemed panel of jury—Sangeetha Nanjundaswamy, Deepthi Murthy Iyer, and Sumana Chandragiri—meticulously finalized the top 10 films. The officially selected short films were screened on May 24, 2026, at the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Chamarajpet, Bengaluru, drawing a full house.

A lively Q&A session with the featured directors deeply engaged the audience, who also had an opportunity to vote for their choice of Best Film and Best Actor/ess.

Awards

Festival Grand Prize – “Avala Hejje” Award (₹1 Lakh Cash Prize): “Rotti”, directed by Supriya Shankara Nippani. This film also received the Audience Choice Award, a testament to its strong emotional connection with viewers.
‘Goodininda Gaganadedege’ Special Category Prize (Stories of Identity, Existence or Exploration – ₹10,000): “Mouna Raaga”, directed by Sunayana Suresh.
Special Category Prize for Humour & Satire (₹10,000): “Aa Maadi”, directed by Shreya Sunil.
Film for Social Change Category (₹10,000 each):
- “Nitya”, directed by Vanu Patil (a poignant story of overcoming childhood trauma).
- “Huliyappa”, directed by Sourabha Rao (a documentary highlighting human-wildlife co-existence, with this award sponsored by the Avian and Reptile Rehabilitation Center (ARRC)).

Panel Discussion

This celebration of diverse storytelling set the stage for a power-packed panel discussion titled “Her Steps in Cinema - from 'A' to 'Z'”, moderated by Festival Director Shanthala Damle. The panel featured acclaimed actresses Neethu Shetty (Gaalipata) and Greeshma Sridhar (Naanu Kusuma), filmmaker Sanjothaa Bhandaari (Pen to Premier initiative), and journalist & marketing strategist Sangeetha Nanjundaswamy (Belagutirali Bellitere initiative).

The panelists explored the evolution of women’s roles in the industry over the past 15 years, emphasizing that mentorship and female solidarity remain key to future growth. Drawing on their own experiences, they advised aspiring professionals to approach the industry with patience, discipline, and absolute conviction.

Rescreenings

Following the festival’s initial success, we received requests from several cultural and educational institutions to host collaborative re-screenings. Key events hosted:

August 1, 2026 – Indian Institute of World Culture (IIWC), Bengaluru: A second screening of all ten short films, drawing another full house in Basavanagudi.
September 24, 2026 – Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women University (KSAWUV), Vijayapura: Hosted by the Departments of Women’s Studies, Journalism, and the Undergraduate Department, featuring 4 selected short films and an interactive session with the director of the first-prize-winning short film, Rotti, whose story and director both hail from the region.
October 13, 2026 – Mount Carmel (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru: Hosted as a Filmmaking Workshop by the Department of Journalism and the Department of Kannada, featuring 5 selected short films alongside interactive sessions with the filmmakers.

Short film that won the first prize of ₹1 lakh in cash and the "Avala Hejje" award

Rotti (2026)

‘Rotti’ is a poignant short film that captures the essence of women's empowerment through the resilient journey of Shantavva, a woman from rural North Karnataka. The narrative masterfully portrays her struggle to safeguard her home and secure a brighter future, offering a natural and authentic glimpse into the lives of hardworking rural women.

Supriya Shankara Nippani

Supriya Shankara Nippani is an accomplished Kannada film director, artist, and social worker recognized for her award-winning short films such as ‘Appa Belli Alla’ and ‘Raji’. With extensive experience as an associate director across multiple languages, she has produced an impactful cinema under her own banner, including her notable feature art film, ‘Charumuriya’.

Short film that won a cash prize of ₹10,000 in the Humour & Satire Special Category

Aaa Maadi (2024)

A 7-minute satirical comedy, ‘Aaa Maadi’ follows a Gen Z girl navigating a 'quarter-life crisis' with the help of an AI assistant. Through a tedious process of emotional ups and downs, she discovers an enticing new path - only to be met with a plot twist that leaves her flabbergasted.

Shreya Sunil

Shreya Sunil is a young filmmaker making her mark in the Kannada industry. After starting as the First Assistant Director for the feature film ‘Tatsama Tadbhava’, she won a 72-hour international filmmaking challenge for her film ‘Cheeti’. Currently an Associate Director for a Pan-Indian feature, she is also developing her debut directorial script.

Short film that won a cash prize of ₹10,000 in the Film for Social Change Special Category

Nitya (2026)

A woman returns to her roots to face a childhood trauma that once shattered her trust. Guided by newfound hope and kindness, she finally breaks her silence to reclaim her identity - transforming from a survivor into a source of strength and light.

Vanu Patil

Vanu Patil is an aspiring filmmaker and actor who began her creative journey in digital cinema, transitioning from acting in short films to discovering a deep passion for direction. Dedicated to crafting relatable characters and impactful narratives, she is focused on contributing to meaningful cinema with the ultimate goal of directing her own feature films.

Short film that won a cash prize of ₹10,000 in the Film for Social Change Special Category

Huliyappa (2025)

Filmed in Uttara Kannada, Huliyappa examines the ancient worship of a tiger deity and farmers’ honour of predators to protect their livestock. Through interviews with locals and experts, the film documents a unique tradition of tolerance and a long-standing blueprint for human-wildlife coexistence.

Sourabha Rao

Sourabha Rao is a writer, poet, filmmaker and freelance journalist. She uses creative storytelling to explore nature, culture, and human-wildlife coexistence. Through her debut film Huliyappa and her work at Owletter Creations, she focuses on documenting human-wildlife interactions.

The short film that won a cash prize of ₹10,000 in the 'Goodininda Gaganadedege' Special Category (Stories of Identity, Existence, or Exploration)

Mouna Raaga (2025)

Set in Bengaluru, this sensitive, character-driven story is about a single mother's struggle against the city's fast pace to fulfill her son's wishes. With minimal dialogue and layered performances, the film captures the unspoken rhythms of urban life and the resilience of maternal love.

Sunayana Suresh

Sunayana Suresh is a Bengaluru-based media veteran with two decades of experience in journalism and film. A casting director and script mentor, she debuted in 2025 with her acclaimed short film, Mouna Raaga.

Short film that received an official selection

A Little Care (2025)

Through the everyday struggles of women balancing work, family and identity, ‘A Little Care’ gently explores the emotions often left unspoken. A moving story about empathy, strength and the power of small acts of care.

Seema Shashidhar

Seema Shashidhar is a filmmaker and digital filmmaking graduate from LV Prasad College with a strong interest in storytelling and direction. She made her directorial debut with the short film ‘A Little Care’ reflecting her passion for meaningful cinema.

Short film that received an official selection

Kaashi Kailash (2025)

This short film explores the inner turmoil of an Indian woman named Kaashi living in America. She struggles to find herself amidst restlessness and societal expectations. Escaping the monotony of daily life, she embarks on a spiritual quest into the lap of nature to discover her true identity.

Anu Kulkarni

Anu Kulkarni is a Houston-based IT Manager, originally from Karnataka, who channels her passion for the Kannada language into directing and acting. Her acclaimed film ‘Mandi Maatu’ earned six awards across various US film festivals, and she was honored as Best Actress at the USA Kannada Short Film Festival for her performance in ‘Kaashi Kailash’.

Short film that received an official selection

Sorutihudu Maneya Maalige (2025)

When survival demands silence, a mother is forced to deny her own son in court. ‘Sorutihudu Maneya Maalige’ is a haunting social drama about fear, sacrifice and the invisible strength of women.

Ashwini Anish

Ashwini Anish is a writer-director known for her emotionally driven, character-focused films and web series. Her work explores human relationships and social realities through sensitive and engaging storytelling.

Short film that received an official selection

Daari (2025)

Two sex-workers confront their shared reality of violence, consent, and HIV. Through an intense street-side conversation, they navigate the complexities of survival and the haunting question: is it truly possible to change paths before it’s too late?

Sushma Bharadwaj

Sushma Bharadwaj, a mechanical engineer and lawyer, transitioned from acting to directing in 1999. Through her production house, Chukki Talkies, she has directed over 2500 documentaries and short films, driven by her passion for cinema.

Short film that received an official selection

Gejje (2026)

When the lines between the past and present begin to blur, a young woman finds herself at a crossroads between duty and desire. 'Gejje' is a haunting drama that explores how silenced voices and unresolved pain echo across generations.

Harshitha G & Rachana Suvarna

Harshitha G is a screenwriter with extensive experience in Kannada web series and films, including ‘Kyaabre’ and ‘Unlove’. Driven by a passion for women-centric narratives, she co-wrote and co-directed the film Gejje, focusing on stories that both entertain and resonate.

After a decade in digital marketing, Rachana Suvarna transitioned to screenwriting, authoring Kannada short films like ‘Revenge 101' and ‘Oh Meghave’. Known for relatable narratives, Gejje marks her debut as co-writer, co-director, and producer.

Deepthi Murthy Iyer

Deepthi Murthy Iyer, CEO of Stararama Fillum Productions, leads an all-women company dedicated to impactful storytelling. Her debut feature, ‘4 by 4', united four women directors to explore narratives through a female lens, furthering her mission to champion meaningful cinema and an inclusive ecosystem.

Sumana Chandragiri

Sumana Chandragiri is a post-graduate in Mass Communication and Journalism from Mangalore University. She has built a distinguished career in content writing and film criticism, having contributed to platforms like Udayavani and Telugucinema.com. Now the COO at Stararama Fillum Productions, she leverages her deep industry insight to oversee operations, project coordination, and production management.

Sangeetha Nanjudaswamy

Sangeetha Nanjudaswamy is the founder of Kadegolu Creations and Consultations. She is an Alumna of IIM Lucknow. She wears many hats in media and marketing fields as a News Editor, Marketing expert and an event host. Through her passion project ‘Belaguthirali Bellitere’, she bridges the gap between filmmakers and audiences through analytical conversations on cinema and culture.

Poornima BS

emCee

Poornima BS is a development professional with over two decades of experience in public health, community engagement, and social development. She has empowered thousands of women through participatory trainings, leadership development, and community capacity-building. She has also worked extensively in strengthening community-led health systems and grassroots leadership across several parts of India.

Muralidhar Godi

Volunteer Coordinator

Muralidhar Godi is an IT professional with over 28 years of experience in India, holding an Engineering degree from BIET College, Davangere. Alongside his technology career, he actively engages in social work and community cultural programs.

Dhatri B.S.

Internship Coordinator and Team Lead

Dhatri is a BA student at Mount Carmel College, studying Psychology, English Literature, and Journalism. A practising ghostwriter, she has hands-on experience through internships in PR, marketing, and counselling psychology. She joined the Avala Hejje Short Film Festival as an intern in 2025 and went on to serve as the Internship Coordinator for the 2026 edition.

Anjani Shetty

Assistant emCee

Anjani is a journalist working as a Program Incharge, anchor, and graphic designer at Peepal TV. Passionate about writing thought-provoking content on human rights, humanitarian issues, and current affairs, she is continuously expanding her skills in editing and content writing.