Kolkata: Filmmaker Santosh Panda has made Odisha proud by clinching the Best Director award at 6th International Kolkata Short Film Festival (IKSFF) for his poignant 23-minute Odia documentary, ‘Dande Rahe Kahani Kahe: Baluka Kala’.
He received the honour at a glittering ceremony at Rotary Sadan in Kolkata on January 25, as part of the festival’s 2026 edition, which showcased a
diverse array of short films from India and beyond.
This 23-minute Odia documentary beautifully captures the traditional sand art of Odisha, showcasing it as a medium that embodies and promotes Odia identity and cultural heritage. Through evocative storytelling, the film celebrates the intricate artistry involved while underscoring the urgent need to preserve and promote such indigenous art forms, which often receive limited recognition despite their profound cultural value.
Expressing happiness over the achievement, Panda stated that through this documentary, the beauty and significance of Odisha’s sand art, which carries deep Odia identity, have reached a wider audience. He emphasised how the medium serves as a living narrative of identity, tradition, and resilience.