The three-day Hyderabad International Short Film Festival (HISFF) 2025 concluded on Sunday with the announcement of winners at a grand valedictory ceremony, capping an event that showcased powerful storytelling, cultural diversity and independent cinema from across the world. Iranian short film Sarnvesht, directed by Yaser Talebi, emerged as the top prize winner, while Toy Gun by Parshuram Thingam from North East India secured the second prize.
The valedictory ceremony opened on a traditional note with a Nadaswaram performance by the 10-member Sri Srinivasa Nadaswara Brundam from Mahbubnagar, followed by a vibrant Perini Shivatandavam by Hyderabad-based Perini Prakash and his team. The cultural performances set the tone for an evening celebrating cinema and creativity.
The event was graced by Telangana Minister for Roads and Buildings and Cinematography Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Special Chief Secretary for Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture Jayesh Ranjan, and Telangana Film Development Corporation Chairman Dil Raju. Several eminent personalities from the film fraternity were felicitated, including actor-dancer Lima Das, Manipuri filmmaker Sunzu Bachuspatimayu, Alexander Leo Pou of NFDC–Kolkata, Canadian film critic Judy Gladstone, veteran filmmaker Premendra Majumdar and film critic-journalist Christopher Dalton.
Amid enthusiastic applause from the audience, renowned screenwriter-director Vijayendra Prasad felicitated celebrated Indian cinematographer-writer-director Madhu Ambat. Members of the main jury—film critic and author Maithili Rao, veteran actor-filmmaker Nasser, director-screenwriter Nagesh Kukunoor, Assamese filmmaker Utpal Borpujari and documentary filmmaker and content strategist Aarti Shreevastava—were also honoured for adjudicating the official competition. Iranian Consulate–Hyderabad Vice-Consul Mohsen Moghaddami received awards on behalf of the Iranian winners.
Apart from Sarnvesht and Toy Gun, the third prize was awarded to My Father is Afraid of Water, directed by Prateek Rajendra Sreevastava. Special Jury Awards went to The Whistle by Iraj Afshari Asl of Iran and Nyingma by Liton Paul of India, while the Special DPSFS Award was presented to A Night on the Footpath by Bharat Duvvada.
Certificates of Merit were conferred on Sweet Moon by Mayur Prakash Kulkarni, Holy Water by Iranian filmmakers Esmail Ramezani and Marziyeh Bani Ali, Collage by Spain’s Marius Cornotto, Thunai by Vignesh Paramasivam and Body Dya Body by Sourav Brahma.
Earlier in the day, the festival hosted a panel discussion on the challenges confronting contemporary filmmaking. The session featured Nasser, Maithili Rao, Aarti Shreevastava and Shashi Kumar of the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, and was moderated by veteran filmmaker and HISFF Organising Committee Patron Uma Maheshwara Rao.
Reflecting on the evolution of cinema, Nasser recalled that filmmaking in the 1980s largely revolved around celluloid negatives and admitted to being initially uncomfortable with digitisation. He said that while technology has become accessible to many, the real challenge lies in creating impactful content. On concerns over artificial intelligence, he observed that AI cannot replicate human emotion or generate layered sub-stories and humour that are central to Indian popular cinema.
Shashi Kumar highlighted pre-censorship and growing intolerance towards freedom of expression as major challenges for filmmakers today, citing film bans at festivals as alarming examples. Maithili Rao spoke about an earlier era when institutionally supported, anti-establishment films flourished in India, warning that creative freedom is now being curtailed in the name of undeclared censorship. Aarti Shreevastava noted that the rise of social media has transformed cinema into “content” that is increasingly designed, stressing adaptability and meaningful storytelling as essential for longevity.
The final day also featured retrospective screenings and interactive sessions that enabled filmmakers and organisers to engage directly with audiences.
With a strong international line-up, rigorous curation and thoughtful dialogue on the future of cinema, HISFF 2025 concluded on a high note, reaffirming its role as a significant platform for independent filmmakers and alternative voices in global cinema.
