Chennai, 23rd February 2026: Strengthening its commitment to building a future-forward content ecosystem rooted in culture, creativity and scale, ‘Z’ announced the launch of the Zee Short Film Contest — a first-of-its-kind, industry-defining, pan-India omnichannel initiative designed to identify, nurture and celebrate emerging filmmaking talent across the country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRmsUjtiKbM
Bringing together some of the most distinctive cinematic voices across regions on a single national platform, the contest marks one of the most ambitious multilingual talent discovery movements in Indian entertainment. Designed as a truly inclusive gateway, the initiative spans seven key languages Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada enabling storytellers from diverse cultural contexts and cinematic traditions to access a marquee national stage backed by industry stalwarts.
At the heart of the Zee Short Film Contest is a formidable jury panel comprising filmmakers who have redefined storytelling within their industries. The jury includes Anurag Kashyap (Hindi), known for pathbreaking, genre-defining cinema such as Gangs of Wasseypur that reshaped modern Hindi storytelling; Ravi Jadhav (Marathi), celebrated for culturally resonant films like Natarang; Srijit Mukherji (Bengali), acclaimed for layered narratives such as Autograph and Jaatishwar; Nag Ashwin (Telugu), the visionary behind globally scaled spectacles like Kalki 2898 AD; Samuthirakani (Tamil), known for socially rooted, impactful dramas; Lijo Jose Pellissery (Malayalam), whose visually audacious films like Jallikattu have garnered international acclaim; and Hemanth Rao (Kannada), recognised for nuanced, emotionally immersive storytelling in films like Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu.
For the first time, industry-defining filmmakers, each a torchbearer of their regional cinematic movement and a distinct storytelling grammar are united under one platform to mentor and discover emerging talent. Their participation not only lends formidable credibility but also signals ‘Z’s strategic intent to build a culturally rooted, future-ready talent incubator that reflects the true linguistic and creative diversity of Bharat.
Through this nationwide talent hunt, ‘Z’ aims to create an inclusive gateway for young, aspiring and passionate filmmakers to showcase their craft before the very storytellers who have shaped contemporary Indian cinema. Participants stand to gain recognition within the professional film community, win cash prizes that support their creative journeys, and unlock collaborative opportunities within Z’s expansive content ecosystem. In a world where stories travel fluidly across screens, the initiative encourages creators to think beyond format crafting narratives that can seamlessly move across digital, television and theatrical platforms.
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’ continues to champion culturally resonant storytelling powered by scale, credibility and innovation, the Zee Short Film Contest stands as a landmark initiative — one that not only discovers fresh voices but builds a structured pathway for them to evolve into the next generation of filmmakers shaping the future of Indian entertainment.
