As part of its Silver Jubilee celebrations, AKKA (Association of Kannada Kootas of America), the largest representative organization of Kannadigas in America, is organizing the “AKKA CineKannada Film Festival.” Ten selected films will be screened during the AKKA Conference to be held in September.
Ahead of the conference, a grand awards ceremony for the selected films was held recently in Bengaluru. Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President Dr. Jayamala, writer and editor Jogi, journalist and News1 head Ravikumar, actor Nirup Bhandari, director Mansore, and AKKA Conference directors Yamuna and Thimmappa Gowda, among others, presented the awards.
Festival director P. Sheshadri and organisers Gowrish Akki and Devendra Badiger, along with sponsors, jury members, award winners and marketing head Kandaiah Shetty, were present.
The organizers said that 51 films were submitted for the festival, from which the jury selected the best ten. The top three films were awarded cash prizes of ₹1 lakh, ₹50,000 and ₹25,000, respectively. A Jury Special Award and awards in seven other categories were also presented.
Ten Films Selected for Screening
Amara Premi Arun, Yelumale, Nadubettu Appanna, Nimma Vastugalige Neeve Jawabdararu, Pidayi, Bellichukki Halli Chukki, Mahima, Sri Jagannathadasaru Part 2, Kshameyirali Tande, and 4 by 4.
Major Awards
Best Film: Yelumale — ₹1 lakh and trophy
Second Best Film: Nimma Vastugalige Neeve Jawabdararu
Third Best Film: Pidayi (Tulu) — ₹25,000 and trophy
Jury Special Award: Bellichukki Halli Chukki.Best Actor: Dileep Raj (Nimma Vastugalige Neeve Jawabdararu).
Best Actress – B. Saroja Devi Award: Shilpa Manjunath (Nimma Vastugalige Neeve Jawabdararu)
Best Actor – Thoogudeepa Srinivas Award: Veena Sundar (Bellichukki Halli Chukki)
Best Female Singer – S. Janaki Award: Padmaja Srinivas (Nimma Vastugalige Neeve Jawabdararu)
Best Male Singer – P. B. Srinivas Award: Mahalingam (Yelumale)
Best Music Director – Rajan-Nagendra Award: D. Imman (Yelumale)
Best Director – Shankar Nag Award: Puneeth Rangaswamy (Yelumale)
