The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has announced the 7 winners of its ‘eleventh annual competition for short films on human rights for the year 2025.

The Full Commission Jury has chosen 'Rani' for the first prize, which also carries a cash prize of ₹ 2 lakh. The film by Ms. Sarika Jain from Uttar Pradesh is a powerful depiction of how stereotypes fuel class divisions and inequality, portraying the struggles of women domestic workers and their human rights concerns through the transformative perspective of a young woman. The film is in Hindi with English subtitles.

‘Meanwhile She..’ by Shri Amal S. from Kerala has been selected for the second prize, which carries a prize of ₹ 1.5 lakh. The film raises the issue of a disproportionate burden carried by working women amidst challenges of gender stereotypes and domestic violence. The film is in Malayalam with English subtitles.

‘The Delivery’ by Shri Sai Shashank Tati from Tamil Nadu has been selected for the third prize of ₹ 1 lakh. The film highlights the struggles of gig workers, such as job insecurity, harsh working conditions and lack of social security, through the poignant story of a boy. The film is in Tamil with English subtitles.

The Commission has also decided to give a cash award of ₹ 50,000/- each to the four short films selected for the’ Certificate of Special Mention’. These are:

i.) ‘Malati’ by Ms. Falguni Bhakta from West Bengal. The documentary film in Bengali with subtitles in English highlights the voluntary initiative of a tribal woman to educate children of her community and the importance of education;

ii.) ‘Second Chance’ by Shri Ravi Karnwal from Uttar Pradesh. Based on a prison in Uttarakhand, the documentary in Hindi with subtitles in English highlights the importance of prison reforms to help prisoners rebuild their lives through counselling and rehabilitation with appropriate skill development;

iii.) ‘Dusk of Life’ by Shri Damodar D. Pawar from Maharashtra. It is in Marathi with English subtitles. The documentary film highlights the challenges and resilience of a childless elderly tribal couple and their right to life and livelihood with dignity; and

iv.) ‘Bhagyashree’ by Shri Manoj Appaso Janwekar from Maharashtra. The film in Marathi with English subtitles highlights the issues faced by young widows in rural households and their right to life with dignity.

The Full Commission Jury was chaired by the NHRC Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian comprising Members, Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Smt. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal, Registrar (Law), Shri Joginder Singh, Joint Secretaries, Shri Samir Kumar and Smt. Saidingpuii Chhakchhuak.

The NHRC Short Film Award was instituted in 2015 with the aim to encourage citizens to raise concerns, awareness and creatively contribute towards promotion and protection of human rights. In the 2025 competition, a total of 526 short films were received from various parts of the country in about 24 languages and dialects including Hindi and English. Out of these, 438 entries fulfilling the terms and conditions were considered for the awards.

The films went through a three-round jury process. In the first stage, three panels shortlisted48 films. Thereafter, a second-round jury headed by Smt. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, Member, NHRC shortlisted 20 films. In the final round, the Full Commission Jury decided the seven winners. The award presentation ceremony will follow.

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NSK