Overview
- The Kerala State Film Awards jury declined to present awards for Best Children’s Film and Best Child Artist for 2024, with chair Prakash Raj urging filmmakers to make genuine children’s cinema.
- State Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian said the panel found the shortlisted children’s films fell short creatively and noted that only about 10% of submissions met quality standards.
- Cherian said the government will convene meetings with industry stakeholders and offer support to strengthen children’s filmmaking ahead of the next awards cycle.
- Child actress Devananda (Deva Nandha) criticized the decision on social media, arguing that strong performances in films like Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, Gu, Phoenix and ARM were overlooked.
- Director Vinesh Viswanath also voiced displeasure, defending child performances in Sthanarthi Sreekuttan and questioning rules that may discourage works from being classified as children’s films.