LK Students Short Film Festival 2025

Students Short Film Festivals

LK Students Short Film Festival

Lets young minds spread the wings to cinematic universe

The LK Students' Short Film Festival is a unique initiative to discover and nurture young filmmaking talent in Kerala. Open to students aged 10 to 18, it provides an international platform where creativity, storytelling, and technical excellence take center stage. By fostering mentorship and recognition, the festival encourages young minds to explore visual storytelling and share their unique perspectives. More than just a competition, the festival is a movement aimed at empowering young storytellers and strengthening student film culture in India and beyond. The LK Foundation envisions creating a thriving network of budding filmmakers who will contribute to the world of cinema. The festival invites student-made short films from 2023 and 2024, with complete creative freedom across themes and genres. Films should be 5 to 10 minutes long, and silent films are welcome. The top 25 films receive special awards, with all participants honored with certificates and mementos.

Major awards include cash prizes, with 10,000 for Best Short Film and 5,000 each for Best Director, Actor, Actress, Scriptwriter, and Cinematographer. A distinguished five-member jury, led by acclaimed Malayalam director Sundar Das as Jury Chairman, evaluates films through a two-step process. The Preliminary Review screens all entries, while the Final Selection assesses originality, storytelling, direction, acting, cinematography, and technical execution. The Grand Award Ceremony in April 2025 in Kochi will showcase the best films and honor winners in the presence of film industry professionals, media, and cultural icons. This prestigious event celebrates young talent, providing students with networking opportunities and industry recognition

Submissions are accepted via the LK Film Festival website through schools or by parents/guardians, with a nominal 1000 entry fee. The festival, an initiative by the LK Foundation, is a stepping stone for aspiring filmmakers, offering them a platform to showcase their talent, gain visibility, and take their first steps into the world of cinema.

Vision

To be a premier global platform for aspiring young filmmakers, where talent, creativity, and storytelling come together to shape the future of cinema. We aim to inspire young minds and nurture the next generation of storytellers by providing them with a space to showcase their work and gain industry recognition.

Mission

The LK Students’ Short Film Festival is dedicated to discovering, promoting, and supporting young student filmmakers from Kerala. We strive to recognize creativity, technical excellence, and originality while encouraging students to explore the art of cinema. Our goal is to empower young minds through film, fostering a culture of expression and innovation.

Award Category
Guidelines
FAQ

To honor outstanding student filmmakers, the festival presents major awards in the following categories:

Best Short Film wins a prestigious prize of ₹10,000.
Best Director is honored with a ₹5,000 award.
Best Actor earns recognition with a ₹5,000 prize.
Best Actress is rewarded with a ₹5,000 prize.
Best Scriptwriter receives a well-deserved ₹5,000 award.
Best Cinematographer secures ₹5,000 as recognition.

Additionally, the Top 25 short films will receive special recognition awards, and all participants will be honored with a certificate & memento.

1. Eligibility

The festival is open to students from Kerala aged 10 to 18.
Films must have been produced in 2023 or 2024.
Each participant can submit more than one film, but each entry requires a separate submission and fee.

2. Film Requirements

Duration: must be between 5 to 10 minutes long, including credits.
Films must have been produced in 2023 or 2024.
Theme/Genre: No restrictions—participants have full creative freedom.
Format: Films must be submitted in HD format (MP4/MOV) with a minimum resolution of 1920x1080.
Language: Films can be in any language, but non-Malayalam films must have English subtitles.
Silent Films: Accepted and encouraged.
Originality: Films must be original creations of the students, without any copyright violations (music, footage, or scripts must be original or licensed).

3. Submission Process

Films must be submitted through the website.
Submissions can be made through:Schools (officially submitted by school authorities) , Parents/Guardians (on behalf of students).
Required materials for submission:
- The completed film in HD format.
- A short synopsis (max 150 words).
- Director’s statement (optional but encouraged).
- A list of cast and crew with their roles.

4. Selection Process

Preliminary Review: All submissions undergo an initial screening by a panel of film experts.
Final Selection: Shortlisted films are reviewed by a five-member jury led by Jury Chairman Sundar Das.
The Top 25 films will receive special recognition awards.

5.Award Ceremony & Film Exhibition

The Grand Award Ceremony will take place in April 2025 in Kochi.
Winning films will be screened at the event.
The event will provide networking opportunities with industry professionals.

6.Important Notes

Films with inappropriate content (hate speech, extreme violence, or explicit material) will be disqualified.
Any form of plagiarism or copyright infringement will result in immediate disqualification.
The festival reserves the right to use selected films for promotional and educational purposes.
Submission Fee: ₹1000 per entry.

To ensure a smooth submission process, please include a link to your short film on the submission form. You have two options for sharing your film:

Google Drive link : Share a link to your film directly from Google Drive.
YouTube link : Upload your film to YouTube and set the video to "unlisted". Then, share the link on the submission form.

Who can participate in the LK Students’ Short Film Festival?

The festival is open to students from Kerala aged 10 to 18 who have created a short film in 2023 or 2024.

What is the allowed duration for the short films?

Films must be between 5 to 10 minutes long. Silent films are also accepted.

Is there any restriction on the theme or genre of the film?

No, participants have complete creative freedom to explore any theme or genre.

How can I submit my short film?

Students can submit their films via the LK Film Festival website. Submissions can be made through:

• Schools (officially submitted by school authorities)
• Parents or guardians (on behalf of students)

What is the submission fee?

The submission fee is ₹1000 per entry.

What are the awards and prizes?

The festival offers cash prizes and recognition in multiple categories:

•Best Short Film – ₹10,000
•Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Scriptwriter, Best Cinematographer – ₹5,000 each
•Top 25 films receive special recognition awards
•All participants receive a certificate and memento

How are the films judged?

The films undergo a two-step review process:

1. Preliminary Review – A panel of film experts screens all submissions.
2. Final Selection – A jury of industry professionals evaluates films based on storytelling, direction, acting, cinematography, and technical execution

Who are the jury members?

The jury consists of five prominent personalities from the Malayalam film industry, led by Jury Chairman Sundar Das, a renowned film director.

When and where will the award ceremony take place?

The Grand Award Ceremony will be held in April 2025 in Kochi, where the best films will be screened, and winners will be honored in the presence of industry professionals.

Can a student submit more than one film?

Yes, students can submit multiple films, but each film requires a separate submission and fee.

Submission

*A registration fee of ₹1000/- is applicable for each short film entry

Director's Info

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