Awards Ceremony Marks Grand Finale of Three-Day Celebration of Global, National and Regional Cinema
Shimla, September 27, 2026:
Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh presented awards to winning filmmakers at the prestigious Awards Ceremony of the 12th International Film Festival of Shimla (IFFS), marking the grand culmination of the three-day celebration of cinema at the historic Gaiety Cultural Complex, Shimla. The Governor honoured filmmakers whose works were selected for recognition across the International, National and State categories, celebrating excellence in documentary, short film, animation, student cinema and emerging forms of filmmaking, including AI-generated cinema.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor congratulated all the award-winning filmmakers and participants and appreciated the festival for providing a platform where filmmakers from different countries, Indian states and diverse cultural backgrounds could come together and share their stories with audiences. The Awards Ceremony brought together filmmakers, delegates, film enthusiasts, students and cinema lovers, providing a fitting conclusion to the 12th edition of the festival.
Awards Across International, National and State Categories
International Category
Best Long Documentary: Far From Home
Best Short Documentary: The Sound of the Soul
Special Jury Award – Short Documentary: The Everest Dream
Best Short Film: Renewal
Special Jury Award – Short Film: The Mould
Best Animation Film: The Rusty Fish
Special Jury Award – Animation Film: Milo
Best AI Film: Coexistence
Best Student Film: Eternal Kinship
Special Jury Award – Student Film: Lullaby
National Category
Best Long Documentary: The Genesis of Rasa
Best Short Documentary: Coal Diggers of India
Best Short Film: Halgi
Special Jury Award – Short Film: Nyingma. Through Her Eyes
Special Jury Award – Short Film: An Oyster Life
State Category
Best Short Film: Tenfa
Special Jury Award – Short Film: Chupi Roh
The third and final day of IFFS featured a diverse line-up of international, national and regional films across three screening sessions.The morning session showcased the long documentaries Far From Home and The Genesis of Rasa.The afternoon session featured short and animation films including Renewal, The Mould, The Rusty Fish, Milo, Halgi and Tenfa. The evening session presented an eclectic selection of AI, student, documentary and regional cinema, including Coexistence, Eternal Kinship, Lullaby, The Sound of the Soul, The Everest Dream, Coal Diggers of India, Nyingma.. Through Her Eyes, An Oyster Life and Chupi Roh. The films explored a wide range of themes, from culture and human relationships to social realities, environment and contemporary forms of storytelling.
The 12th International Film Festival of Shimla brought together filmmakers and films from across the world and different parts of India, creating a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue through cinema.During the three-day festival, audiences had the opportunity to watch films representing diverse languages, cultures and filmmaking traditions, while also participating in special interactions, masterclasses and sessions with filmmakers and cinema personalities.
The festival also continued its distinctive “Cinema Behind the Bars” initiative, taking selected films to prison audiences and using cinema as a medium of creative engagement and social connection.
With the Governor’s presentation of awards to the winning filmmakers, the 12th International Film Festival of Shimla concluded on a celebratory note, reaffirming its commitment to independent cinema, emerging filmmakers and the promotion of diverse cinematic voices.
