The 2020 State Awards have been announced, with Prajwal Devaraj winning Best Actor for his performance in Gentleman and Akshatha Pandavapura securing Best Actress for her role in Pinki Elli. The film Pinki Elli, directed by Prithvi Konanur, won the Best Film award.
A total of 71 films were submitted for the 2020 awards. Among them, 66 films were shortlisted for selection, while Bhugilu, Kanasu Maratakide, Dollu, Kalyana Kuvara, and the Tulu-language film Shakalaka Boom Boom were excluded from the screening process.
The selection advisory committee for the 2020 State Film Awards was chaired by National Award-winning director B.S. Lingadevaru. Other members included journalist Padma Shivamogga, director Umesh Nayak, production executive D.R. Sampath, veteran actress Padma Vasanthi, cinematographer Manjunath R, film analyst Ivan D Silva, music director Gururaj, and co-director Naveen R.C.
Complete Award List:
- Best Film: Pinki Elli
- Second Best Film: Varnapatala
- Third Best Film: Hariva Nadige Maiyella Kaalu
- Best Social Concern Film: Giliyu Panjaradolilla and Ee Mannu
- Best Popular Entertaining Film: Four Walls
- Best Children’s Film: Padaka
- Best Debut Director Film: Neeli Hakki (Ganesh Hegde)
- Best Karnataka Regional Language Film: Jeetige (Tulu)
Acting Awards:
- Best Actor: Prajwal Devaraj
- Best Actress: Akshatha Pandavapura
- Best Supporting Actor: Ramesh Pandit (Taledanda)
- Best Supporting Actress: Manjulamma (Dantapurana)
- Best Child Actor: Ahil Ansari (Dantapurana)
- Best Child Actress: Baby Hitaishi Pujar (Paaru)
Technical & Creative Awards:
- Best Story: Shashikant Gatti (Ranchi)
- Best Screenplay: Raghavendra Kumar (Chandini Bar)
- Best Dialogues: Veerappa Maralavadi (Hoovina Haara)
- Best Cinematography: Ashok Kashyap (Taledanda)
- Best Music Director: Gagan Baderia (Malgudi Days)
- Best Editing: Nagendra K. Ujjani (Act 1978)
- Best Art Director: Gunashekar (Bicchugatthi)
- Best Lyricist:
- Gargi Karehalklu (Parjanya – Mounavu Mataagide)
- Sachin Shetty Kumble (Ee Mannu – Dariyondu Hudukuttide)
- Best Male Playback Singer: Aniruddha Shastri (Acharya Shri Shankara)
- Best Female Playback Singer: Arundhati Vasishta (Dantapurana)
Special Jury Awards:
- Posthumous Award for Acting: Sanchari Vijay
- Best Costume Design: Sri Valli (Sarvajra)
- Best Makeup: Ramesh Babu (Taledanda)
- Best Sound Recording: V.G. Rajan (Amrith Apartments)
- Special Jury Certificate: Vishwas K.S (Specially-abled Actor – Arabbi)
- Best Production Executive: Champakadham Babu (Kannadiga)
