14th CIDSFF 2026 : Selection Committee

14th Chennai International Documentaries and Short Film Festival 2026

19-28 February, Chennai 

Organised by MARUPAKKAM 30

Official Selection Process: The forte of our film festival is we give the most importance and commitment to the shortlisting of films to be screened at our screenings. We include a wide range of individuals who can contribute with their distinctive inputs in the selection of films. We ensure the final list does not support any form of hatred and fake propaganda. We also use this opportunity to introduce new forms of films and arguments showing respect to the time, energy, intelligence, sensibility and perspectives of the audience members in Chennai. 

Our film festival is a lucky platform for the first time filmmakers who show promise, curiosity and courage in their creation. Many young and new directors had shown their first films at our film festival and had progressed well in their careers, later taking part in renowned film festivals around the globe.  Many individuals (who later became filmmakers) had watched documentaries and short films at our editions and got inspired and motivated to venture into the field of filmmaking. 

We are very proud of playing a small role in their journey.

This time we received 250 films through Filmfreeway platform from across the world and our selection committee toiled meticulously to finalise the list of 100 films to be shown at our film festival. 

We generally do not give any inputs to the Selection Committee as we believe in the uniqueness of each and every member who belongs to different professions and social backgrounds. This time too we requested them to rely on their worldview while selecting the films.

We thank them all!

The Selection Committee :

Vinod Raja, filmmaker

Prof Punitha Dorairajan, academician

Nandalal, film society activist

Ramdas Kadavallur, filmmaker

Mitali Biswas, filmmaker

Chitrangada Choudhury, filmmaker

Jithin KC, film society activist & author

Senthil Kumaran, filmmaker

Harold Anthony Paulson, film society activist & filmmaker