The Zee Short Film Contest is bringing aspiring filmmakers from across India onto one national stage. The initiative, announced by ‘Z’, is designed as a large-scale, multi-language search for new talent. It aims to support short filmmakers with visibility, mentorship and industry access across digital, television and theatrical platforms.
Through this contest, ‘Z’ plans to give upcoming storytellers a structured launchpad. Participants can gain recognition within professional circles, compete for cash rewards that aid future projects, and explore collaboration within Z’s broad content network. The contest invites filmmakers to create stories that adapt smoothly across screens and formats.
Jury and vision behind Zee Short Film Contest
At the core of the Zee Short Film Contest is a jury of seven acclaimed directors. Each filmmaker has shaped contemporary cinema in one major Indian language. Their presence signals that ‘Z’ wants a serious, long-term talent incubator, rooted in different regions but focused on the future of Indian entertainment.
The jury line-up spans Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada industries. Anurag Kashyap leads Hindi, recognised for films like Gangs of Wasseypur. Ravi Jadhav represents Marathi with works such as Natarang. Srijit Mukherji brings layered Bengali narratives like Autograph and Jaatishwar to the panel.
Nag Ashwin joins the Zee Short Film Contest jury from Telugu cinema, noted for Kalki 2898 AD. Samuthirakani, known for socially aware Tamil dramas, adds another strong voice. Lijo Jose Pellissery from Malayalam, whose Jallikattu drew global attention, and Hemanth Rao from Kannada, known for Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu, complete the panel.
| Language | Jury Member | Noted Work |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi | Anurag Kashyap | Gangs of Wasseypur |
| Marathi | Ravi Jadhav | Natarang |
| Bengali | Srijit Mukherji | Autograph, Jaatishwar |
| Telugu | Nag Ashwin | Kalki 2898 AD |
| Tamil | Samuthirakani | Social dramas |
| Malayalam | Lijo Jose Pellissery | Jallikattu |
| Kannada | Hemanth Rao | Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu |
Format, languages and reach of Zee Short Film Contest
The Zee Short Film Contest is built as a pan-India, omnichannel programme. It covers seven languages: Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada. By including these industries, ‘Z’ wants creators from varied cultures and film traditions to access a single, widely viewed platform.
This multilingual approach turns the Zee Short Film Contest into one of Indian entertainment’s broadest talent searches. Filmmakers from smaller centres and major metros can compete together. The initiative connects distinctive regional voices with a national audience, while still respecting local storytelling styles and cultural references.
‘Z’ states that the Zee Short Film Contest is part of a wider content strategy. The company is focusing on stories rooted in Indian culture but built for scale across mediums. By investing in short films, ‘Z’ is trying to spot voices early and guide them towards larger, more ambitious projects within its ecosystem.
Commenting on the vision behind the initiative, Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer, ZEE & ZEE5, said, “India is home to one of the most diverse storytelling cultures in the world, yet access and visibility for emerging filmmakers has often remained fragmented. With the Zee Short Film Contest, we are institutionalizing opportunity at a national scale. By bringing together pathbreaking filmmakers across seven languages on a single platform, we are creating an ecosystem where regional excellence meets national visibility. This is not just a contest it is a strategic step towards strengthening India’s creative pipeline and building the next generation of storytellers who will define the future of Indian cinema.”
Sharing their encouragement for aspiring filmmakers, Anurag Kashyap said, “A short film got me my first feature. This is your chance to fulfil your dream of being a filmmaker.” Srijit Mukherji added, “Filmmaking is always a matter of the heart. Follow your heart and your mind will show you the way through the obstacles.” Lijo Jose Pellissery shared, “If you believe you are a filmmaker, the door is open. Come, make a short to make it big.” Nag Ashwin noted, “The film industry is more than a world of dreams – it’s a world of stories. Showcase your talent to the world.” Hemanth Rao said, “Love for cinema is a disease that never gets cured. Is there a story within you that’s haunting you? Share it with everyone. Register for the Zee Short Film Contest and submit your short film.” Ravi Jadhav remarked, “Talent, passion and vision are what matter most in filmmaking. If you have them, this contest is for you.” Samuthirakani added, “Send your short film and seize a golden chance to showcase your talent before the country’s renowned directors. We’re ready. Are you?”
As ‘Z’ pursues a content ecosystem built on culture, creativity and scale, the Zee Short Film Contest acts as a key step. The contest sets up a national, structured route for short filmmakers to grow into feature directors. It also reflects the linguistic and creative range of Bharat within mainstream Indian entertainment.