Jury Panels

8th Rain International Nature Film Festival • Jury Panels & Delegations

Distinguished Panels of Adjudication

Presiding over the official competition sections with rigorous artistic discernment. Our deliberating bodies convene seasoned auteurs, academy scholars, and visionaries shaping contemporary global cinema.

Official Competition
Main Slate

International Jury

3 Adjudicators
PV
Jury Chairperson
Sri Lanka
Section President

Prasanna Vithanage

Acclaimed Film Director, Screenwriter & Producer

Celebrated figure in South Asian cinema known for poetic humanist narratives including ‘With You, Without You’and ‘Paradise’.

Prix Spécial du Jury • Karlovy Vary Laureate
GS

Jury Member

France

Delegate

Golda Sellam

International Producer, Film Executive & Acquisitions Consultant

Renowned European co-production strategist and international festival delegate advising premier cinematic development bodies across Cannes and Venice markets.

Co-Production Market Advisor
KS

Jury Member

India / Kerala

Delegate

Kaviyoor Sivaprasad

Veteran Filmmaker, Screenwriter & Film Academician

Influential parallel cinema pioneer and state film award laureate whose structural studies have shaped cinematic curricula and aesthetic movements.

State Film Award Laureate
Emerging Visions
Debut Works

Students Jury

3 Adjudicators
NP
Jury Chairperson
National Award Winner
Section President

Nikhil S Praveen

National Award-winning Cinematographer

Acclaimed visual architect celebrated for masterstrokes in visual storytelling across contemporary Indian cinema and luminous chiaroscuro compositions.

Best Cinematography • 65th National Film Awards
AB

Jury Member

National Film Award - Best Actress

Delegate

Aparna Balamurali

National Award-winning Actress, Classical Dancer & Vocalist

Versatile artist recognized for transformative, critically lauded performances in contemporary cinema, bridging naturalistic method with expressive depth.

National Film Award Laureate • Soorarai Pottru
YV

Jury Member

Emerging Film Talent

Delegate

Yadhu Vamsee

Film Director, Screenwriter & Visual Narrative Innovator

Dynamic young filmmaker championing distinct new-wave cinematic grammar, boundary-pushing short-form formats, and fresh generational perspectives.

New Wave Narrative Fellow

8th Rain International Nature Film Festival 2026

8th Rain International Nature Film Festival – Reel Making Competition 2026

🎬 Calling all nature lovers, storytellers and aspiring filmmakers! Participate in the Reel Making Competition organized as part of the 8th Rain International Nature Film Festival 2026 and showcase your creativity through the power of short films.

Submission Deadline
10 October 2026
Festival Dates
29, 30 & 31 October 2026
Festival Venue
SCMS School of Technology & Management, Muttom, Aluva

Competition Themes

Combat Desertification
Land reclamation, drought mitigation & living soils.
Silent Green: Unseen Ecosystems
Micro-habitats, fungal networks, canopy mysteries.
Water, Wetlands and Coast
Mangroves, backwaters, pristine aquatic life.
Human–Wildlife Coexistence
Shared corridors, conflict reduction & indigenous care.

Competition Guidelines

Maximum duration:90 seconds (vertical / short format).
Original content:All footage & audio must be original.
Open to all:Students from schools, colleges & general public.
Live Screening:Selected reels screened during official festival gala.
For queries, contact: +91 9497485906

Submit your original reel through this Google Form. Share your perspective, inspire others and be part of a movement celebrating nature and environmental conservation.

Organized as part of the 8th Rain International Nature Film Festival 2026 • Supported by Birds Club International & Jayaraj Foundation

7th Rinff - Pakshivanam Short and Doccumentry film festival