Chhayanat Film and Theatre Festival (24)

Festival start: 30 March 2026      Festival end: 04 April 2026

Founded within the cultural heartbeat of Jadavpur University, Chhayanat has evolved into India’s largest student-run film and theatre festival — a platform where art and rebellion, screen and
stage, intellect and emotion converge.

Over the years, it has hosted National Award–winning filmmakers, international screenings, industry panels, and global student collaborations — from France to South Korea, Brazil to Spain —
making it a truly cross-continental dialogue on storytelling and truth.

At its core, Chhayanat stands for freedom of expression and the power of collective imagination. It celebrates the voices that resist convention, amplify diversity, and reflect the changing faces of our society. Each frame, each performance, each conversation here becomes part of a larger movement — one that reminds us that stories can still move nations, minds, and markets alike.

In 2026, as Chhayanat enters a new chapter, we invite our partners and patrons to become part of this living, breathing cinematic revolution — where every reel, every note, every act becomes a
memory that outlives the screen.

Winners, Runner-Ups, 2nd Dunner-Ups and Honorable Mentions will receive Laurels and Prizes.

Short Film Competition to be held in Chhayanat (30 March - 4 April, 2026).

Rules:

• The Short Film can be of any genre and any language.

• The Film must be a MP4 or MOV file given through a screener link (Screener, Google Drive, Vimeo or any other downloadable link).

• The Film must be subtitled, (not required if English). The subtitles should be preferably embedded into the film or given as a separate SRT file.

• The duration should not be more than 20 minutes.

• The director of the film should be a student of any College or University or Institute or Film School.

• The film should not be publicly available in any streaming platform, internet or have a theatrical release before 4 April, 2026. It doesn't have to be a premiere and can be submitted to other film festivals.

• There can be multiple entries from the same Institute/College/University.

• The teams, which will be selected, will be notified before 22nd March and those films will be screened during the span of the festival at either of the festival venues (Dr. Triguna Sen Memorial Hall or K.P. Basu Memorial Hall). You will receive laurels and prizes.

• The decision taken by the organizing committee will be considered final.