Thiruvananthapuram: The 52nd Kerala Stae Film award has been announced by Saji Cherian, Kerala's Minister for Cultural, Fisheries and Youth Affairs.
This jury panel for this year was headed by filmmaker-screenwriter Saeed Akhtar Mirsa.
More than 140 movies were submitted for consideration, under several categories, and the winners were selected from this pool. Films released both in theatres and on digital platforms were considered for the award.
This year's award for best movie is bagged Avasavyuham, directed by Krishand RK. This experimental movie won a standing ovation when it was screened at the International Film festival of Kerala.
For stellar performance in the horror-thriller film 'Bhoothakaalam', Revathy Asha was awarded the Best Actress Award.
The best actor award was presented to two actors for their performance. Biju Menon for the film 'Aarkkariyam', and Joju George for his films 'Madhuram', 'Freedom Fight', 'Naayattu', and 'Thuramukham'.
Dileesh Pothan Bagged the best director award for the Fahadh Faasil starrer film 'Joji', while Syam Pushkaran won best scriptwriter for the same movie.
Other awards include:
Second Best Film – Nishiddho, directed by Tara Ramanujan and Chavittu, directed by Sajas and Shinos Rahman
Best Character Actor – Sumesh Moor for Kala
Best Character Actress – Unnimaya Prasad for Joji
Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value – Hridhyam
Best Children's Film – Kaadakalam
Best Story Writer – Shahi Kabeer for Nayattu
Best Screenplay Writer – Krishand RK for Avasa Vyuham
Best Screenplay (Original) – Sreekumaran Thampi for Naayaattu
Best Screenplay (Adapted) – Syam Pushkaran for Joji
Best Child Artist (Male) – Master Adithyan for Niraye Thathakalulla Maram
Best Child Artist (Female) – Sneha Anu for Thala
Best Music Director (Songs) – Hesham Abdul Wahab for Hridayam
Best Male Singer – Pradeep Kumar for Raavil from Minnal Murali
Best Female Singer – Sithara Krishnakumar for Paalnilavil from Kaanekkaane
Best Music Director (Background Score) – Justin Varghese for Joji
Best Lyricist – B K Harinarayanan for Kaadakalam
Best Film Editor – Mahesh Narayanan and Rajesh Rajendran for Naayaattu
Best Cinematographer – Madhu Neelakandan for Churuli
Best Sound Design – Renganath Ravee for Churli
Best Sound Mixing – Justin Jose for Minnal Murali
Best Sync Sound – Arun Ashok and Sonu K P for Chavittu
Best Choreography – Arun Lal for Chavittu
Best Dubbing Artist (Female) – Devi S
Best Makeup Artist – Ranjith Ambady for Aarkkariyam
Best Costume Designer – Melwy J for Minnal Murali
Best Art Director – A V Gokuldas for Thuramukham
Best Visual Effects – Andrew D'crus for Minnal Murali
Best Colorist – Liju Prabhakar for Churuli
Special Jury mention – Jeo Baby for Freedom Fight