AAFT Awards for Short Films Presented During the 128th Festival of Short Digital Films

2026-08-06 02:45:33 News & Society

Noida, India: In a packed auditorium at Marwah Studios, the much-awaited AAFT Awards for Short Films 2026 (128th Batch) were presented amidst tremendous enthusiasm and applause. The event witnessed the presence of filmmakers, media professionals, parents, teachers, and students from the film, television, and media schools of AAFT.

The awards were presented by Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Chancellor of AAFT University of Media and Arts, President of Marwah Studios, and founder of Noida Film City. The ceremony added a new dimension to the 128th AAFT Festival of Short Digital Films, recognizing outstanding achievements in filmmaking and encouraging young creative talent.

The distinguished guests present on the occasion included Shayron Tower, Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of Nicaragua; Dr. Markandey Rai, Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Technological & Medical Sciences University; renowned filmmaker Praveen Arora; and celebrated AAFT alumnus actor and model Anjali Rana.

The prestigious awards were presented in the following categories:

Best Short Film – “Ghungroo”
The complete team of Ghungroo came on stage to receive the award. The film was also recognized for its exceptional creative and technical excellence.

Best Music Video – “Chandalika” Awarded to Tanvi Nair.

Best Direction – “Ghungroo” Awarded to Thoimung Awungshi.

Best Cinematography – “Shikdum” Awarded to Abhishek Naik.

Best Editing – “Shikdum” Awarded to Kartikey Panchal.

Best Actor (Male) – “Deemak” Awarded to Shivam Burman.

Best Actor (Female) – “Ujala” Awarded to Ruhi Khan.

Best Actor in Supporting Role – “The Borrowed Time” Awarded to Ayushi Patel.

Best Screenplay – “The Borrowed Time” Awarded to Drishti Marwah.

Best Original Sound Track – “Luckeer” Awarded to Rawhit.

Best Sound Design – “The Morning Light” Awarded to Arijit Roy.

Best Background Music – “Ujala” Awarded to Abhishek Yadav.

In addition to winning the Best Short Film Award, Ghungroo was widely appreciated for the outstanding work of its creative team, including Director Thoimung Awungshi, Cinematographers Abhishek Yadav and Bagesh Chaudhari, Editor Thoimung Awungshi, Actors Shivam Burman and Ruhi (Yasmeen Khan), Assistant Directors Ayushi Patel and Vikrant Raj, Original Sound Track by Thoimung Awungshi, and Assistant Camera team Himank Dev and Shreya Jha.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sandeep Marwah congratulated all the winners and participants. He emphasized that awards are a powerful source of recognition and motivation for creative professionals. “Every award acknowledges your hard work and inspires you to perform even better in the future. The introduction of AAFT Awards has added immense value to the AAFT Festival of Short Digital Films and has created a new platform to celebrate excellence in cinema,” said Dr. Marwah.

The ceremony concluded with a standing ovation for the award winners and a renewed commitment by AAFT to continue nurturing talent and promoting creativity in the fields of film, television, media, and performing arts.

AAFT Awards for Short Films Presented During the 128th Festival of Short Digital Films, Dr. Sandeep Marwah President of Marwah Studios, AAFT, ICMEI

Anurag Malhotra from UAE Visits Marwah Studios to Strengthen India-UAE Cultural and Media Relations

Noida, India: Anurag Malhotra, a distinguished media professional from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, visited Marwah Studios, Noida Film City, with the objective of strengthening and enhancing bilateral cooperation between India and the UAE in the fields of media, entertainment, art, and culture.

During his visit, Malhotra held detailed discussions with Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of Marwah Studios, Chancellor of AAFT University of Media and Arts, and President of the International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry (ICMEI), on developing new avenues of collaboration between the creative industries of both nations.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sandeep Marwah said, “India and the United Arab Emirates share a deep-rooted relationship based on mutual respect, cultural affinity, and economic cooperation. The media and entertainment sectors have tremendous potential to further strengthen these ties through joint productions, educational exchanges, cultural programs, and business collaborations. We look forward to working closely with media professionals from the UAE.”

Expressing his appreciation for the remarkable achievements of Marwah Studios and AAFT, Anurag Malhotra said, “I am highly impressed by the world-class infrastructure, international outreach, and visionary leadership of Dr. Sandeep Marwah. Marwah Studios has emerged as a significant global platform for creative arts, media education, and cultural diplomacy. There are immense opportunities for collaboration between institutions and professionals from India and the UAE.”

The visit concluded with Dr. Sandeep Marwah presenting his acclaimed book, “Sandeep Marwah: The Architect of Aspirations,” to Anurag Malhotra as a token of appreciation and friendship, symbolizing the shared commitment to fostering stronger cultural and professional relations between India and the United Arab Emirates.

The meeting reaffirmed the mutual desire of both sides to promote meaningful partnerships in media, entertainment, art, culture, education, and creative industries.