09/10/2026
🎬 Sri Sathya Sai Short Film Festival 2026 | Grand Finale | Prasanthi Nilayam
Stories that touch hearts. Films that inspire change. Cinema with a purpose
On 20 September 2026, Prasanthi Nilayam witnessed a celebration of creativity, storytelling, and the spirit of service to mankind, as the Grand Finale of the Sri Sathya Sai Short Film Festival brought together aspiring filmmakers, distinguished industry leaders, office bearers, devotees, students, and volunteers, united by the belief that creativity finds its highest purpose when it serves humanity.
From 184 entries to 10 finalists, the festival journey celebrated remarkable talent and diverse perspectives. Following the initial shortlisting of 33 films, 27 films qualified for Jury Round One, representing 8 languages and filmmakers from 33 cities across India. Ten finalists emerged across three age categories: 13–15, 16–22, and 23–35 years. The festival also recognised excellence in Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, and a People’s Choice Award.
The morning session, ‘Cinema with a Purpose’, was enriched by the presence of four distinguished guests from the worlds of cinema, media, and innovation: Shri. Rajkumar Periasamy - director of the National Award-winning film ‘Amaran’ Shri Bharat Bala - National Award-winning filmmaker and creator of the ‘Virtual Bharat’ platform, Rajan Navani - Founder and CEO of JetSynthesys, and Shri. Nasir Abdullah - acclaimed actor and media personality.
The morning session, ‘Cinema with a Purpose’, was enriched by the presence of four distinguished guests from the worlds of cinema, media, and innovation: Shri. Rajkumar Periasamy - director of the National Award-winning film ‘Amaran’ Shri Bharat Bala - National Award-winning filmmaker and creator of the ‘Virtual Bharat’ platform, Rajan Navani - Founder and CEO of JetSynthesys, and Shri. Nasir Abdullah - acclaimed actor and media personality.
An engaging, interactive panel discussion gave the young filmmakers an opportunity to ask questions, clear doubts, and gain invaluable insights into the craft of filmmaking directly from these industry stalwarts. Bharat Bala’s showcase of two award-winning