‘Sankaradas Swamigal Best Film Awards’ presented at Puducherry Film Festival 2026

Filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj was presented the ‘Sankaradas Swamigal Best Film Award for 2024’ for ‘Jigarthanda DoubleX’ and Dinesh Selvaraj the 2025 award for ‘Kadal Kanni’ during the launch of the Puducherry Film Festival 2026 on Thursday.

The directors received the award, which is instituted in the name of the pioneering playwright and actor, and carries a citation and cash prize of ₹1 lakh, in the presence of Speaker R. Selvam, Public Works Minister K. Lakshminarayanan, other dignitaries, and actors Revathi and Sunaina.

A public screening of Pa. Ranjith’s ‘Natchathiram Nagargirathu’ followed the formal launch of the four-day, free-entry film festival at Gandhi Thidal on Beach Road.

The festival is being held from February 12 to 15 across four venues: Kamarajar Mani Mandapam, APJ Abdul Kalam Planetarium, Alliance Française de Puducherry, and Gandhi Thidal.

A total of 45 films in eight languages is scheduled to be screened over the four days across these venues.

In addition to film screenings, the festival features two special masterclasses at Kamarajar Mani Mandapam. Renowned editor Sreekar Prasad will conduct a masterclass on February 14, followed by one led by actor Nassar on February 15.

To facilitate smooth movement between venues, the Government of Puducherry has arranged free bus services for festival attendees, a press note said. Though entry is on a first-come basis, attendees can register and pre-book screenings through the festival website https://pyff.in/