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Best Popular Short Film

Decided directly by the festival audience through on-venue voting during public screenings.

Cash Award

₹10,000

Award Includes

Official Trophy + Citation

Audience Voting Mechanism

Electronic Voting

All shortlisted official selections are screened publicly at the festival venue in Mananthavady.

Audience members cast their votes using the on-ground electronic voting system introduced in Season 02.

Votes are automatically verified and tallied immediately following the final screening session.

The film with the highest verified audience votes receives the Popular Film award at the closing ceremony.

Season 02 (2025)

Director: Mridul S

• First winner decided via the on-site electronic voting system

Season 01 (2024)

Director: Atul Raj

• Inaugural season popular choice winner

All official selections compete for the Popular Film award during festival screenings.