Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar will lead a four-member jury comprising Kannada actor Krishna Hebbale, Telugu director Harish Shankar and television actress Rupali Ganguly for selection of the best web series at this year’s International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the organisers announced on Monday.
Introduced during last year’s festival, submissions for the best web series award surged by over 40 per cent this year, with entries coming from 10 major OTT platforms.
The award recognises outstanding achievements in storytelling, direction, and production in the digital space. This year’s finalists have been selected for their artistic quality, technical execution, and cultural impact.
Shortlisted Web Series for 2024:
- Kota Factory – A realistic exploration of student life in India's competitive education system.
- Kala Pani – A suspenseful series set in the Andaman Islands, merging historical and mystery elements.
- Lampan – A narrative that delves into themes of love and community in rural India.
- Ayali – Focused on a young girl's journey to challenge societal norms.
- Jubilee – A period drama set in the early days of Indian cinema.
The winners in this category will receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, along with certificates honouring the director, creator, and producer, as well as the associated streaming platform.
IFFI remains a major platform for international cinema, with 15 films selected to compete for the Golden Peacock award. This year’s lineup includes 12 films from abroad and 3 Indian entries, including The Goat Life, Article 370 and Raavsaheb.
Overseeing the main awards will be a jury led by Indian filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker. He will be joined by Anthony Chen (Singapore), Elizabeth Karlsen (UK/USA), Fran Borgia (Spain) and Jill Bilcock (Australia).