Bengaluru, April 8: JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), one of the top-ranked private universities in India, proudly hosted the third edition of ‘JAIN UNIVERSITY SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2026’ organised by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. The film festival showcased the compelling and diverse narratives that influence the daily lives of society through the cinematic experience of short films. The event was graced by Kannada Filmfare Critics awardee for Best actor, Naveen Shankar, for his role of “Aadhi” in the film, Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage, along with Dr. Dinesh Neelkanth, Dr. Kiran S, Dr. Sangeeta Devanathan and Dr. Bhargavi D Hemminge.
Naveen Shankar, film actor & Kannada Filmfare award winner, commended the initiative of Jain University and the festival, stating “Opportunities like these film festivals remind us that cinema is not just about big screens, but about ideas, passion, and the courage to start. What starts as a small effort in a college campus can grow into something truly impactful. It’s encouraging to see students being given the space to explore their creativity and build a voice of their own.” Further he added, “short films, in particular, offer an incredible platform for aspiring filmmakers to experiment, understand the craft, and experience the realities of cinema at a foundational level. I am truly impressed by the initiative taken by Jain University to create such platform of opportunities to showcase creative talents and connect enthusiastic students with film industry.”
Underscoring the importance of creativity and its origin in the category of short films, Dr. Dinesh Nilkant, Pro-Vice Chancellor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) “Creativity makes a difference with the best talents always budding from the colleges and universities and not from big studios. We at Jain University are building such platforms to nurture future film makers.”
Accentuating the development of short films from a base to important platforms, Dr. Kiran S Deputy-Dean of Academics, Jain (Deemed-to-be University) stated “Short films are no longer stepping stones, they are powerful storytelling formats in their own right.”
Dr. Sangeeta Devanathan, Deputy-Dean of Academics, Professor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) highlighted the importance of critical thinking in short films stating “Critical thinking requires us to think creatively.” She further compared the current scenario of short films to mainstream films stating that “Gone are the days of movies running two to three hours giving the audience a compelling reason to stay, however now, the short film format is truly the future of storytelling in this art form.”
Dr. Bhargavi D. Hemmige, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Jain (Deemed-to-be University) reiterated, “The third edition of Jain University short film festival received an impressive number of over 90 short film registrations from across India, reflecting its growing reach and recognition among emerging filmmakers nationwide.” She further added, “notably, JUSFF’26 received submissions associated with reputed names in the film industry, including Vijay Sethupathi Productions and Ravi Basrur, renowned music director of KGF and Salaar, among others.”
Reflecting on his experience as the Jury, Mr. Naveen Dwarakanath Producer, Director, Theatre Actor and Writer, “As a jury member, I’ve watched several films and what stands out is the evolving storytelling quality among young creators; Cinema connects people, it builds emotional bonds, even within families. That’s the beauty of it!” Applauding the event, he stated “This is not just about organizing an event, it truly feels like a festival. From start to finish, the process is thoughtfully executed, and the quality of films has seen a remarkable leap for the film industry.”
The first day of the event showcased the talents and skills under the student category by screening 12 shortlisted short films in JUSFF, a platform dedicated to the upcoming filmmakers. The second day will feature the professional category short films, followed by valedictory announcing the winners under the following categories: Best Actor Male, Best Actor Female, Best Cinematography, Best Film & Best Director for both the categories.
