Mumbai: Strengthening its commitment to building a future-forward content ecosystem rooted in culture, creativity and scale, ‘Z’ has announced the launch of the Zee Short Film Contest — a pan-India, omnichannel initiative aimed at identifying, nurturing and celebrating emerging filmmaking talent across the country.
The contest brings together some of the most distinctive cinematic voices from across regions on a unified national platform. Designed as a multilingual and inclusive gateway, the initiative spans seven key languages — Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada — enabling storytellers from diverse cultural and cinematic traditions to access a marquee stage backed by industry stalwarts.
At the core of the Zee Short Film Contest is a high-profile jury panel featuring filmmakers who have redefined storytelling within their industries. The jury includes Anurag Kashyap (Hindi), Ravi Jadhav (Marathi), Srijit Mukherji (Bengali), Nag Ashwin (Telugu), Samuthirakani (Tamil), Lijo Jose Pellissery (Malayalam), and Hemanth Rao (Kannada).
By uniting these industry-defining voices under one platform, ‘Z’ is positioning the contest as a structured talent incubator that reflects India’s linguistic and creative diversity. The initiative is designed to provide aspiring filmmakers with national visibility, mentorship from established directors, cash prizes to support their creative journeys, and opportunities within Z’s broader content ecosystem spanning 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 marks a significant step in formalising a national pathway for emerging creators — building the next wave of filmmakers set to shape the future of Indian entertainment.
