The Bengaluru International Short Film Festival (BISFF) 2026 in its 16th edition has announced the winners of its three Oscar qualifying competition categories—International, Indian and Animation recognising exceptional short-form storytelling from Australia and India.
As India’s only Oscar-accredited short film festival, BISFF’s winning films in these categories will be officially recommended to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for consideration in the Oscar shortlists, subject to the Academy’s eligibility rules and process.
The top honours at the 16th edition of BISFF were awarded to:
- International Competition Winner: The Circus Lion — directed by Tigran Tovmasian, Australia
- Indian Competition Winner: A Story Carved on a Tree — directed by Sainath Laxman Ganuwad, India
- Animation Competition Winner: Ujan — directed by Anirban Paul, India
The three winning films emerged from an intensely competitive international selection that drew more than 3,300 submissions from over 100 countries. Together, the winners reflect the breadth and vitality of contemporary short filmmaking—bringing powerful stories, distinct creative voices and singular visual worlds to the screen.
This year, BISFF received more than 3,400 film submissions and screened 390 films, including 83 world premieres, underscoring its growing influence as a launchpad for new cinematic voices. The festival also recorded more than 20 lakh OTT views and over 2 lakh digital engagements/views, extending the reach of short cinema well beyond Bengaluru.
“Every year, BISFF gives us the privilege of witnessing filmmakers take enormous creative risks in a very short span of time. These three winning films stood out for their confidence, cinematic imagination and emotional force,” said Anand Varadaraj, Founder and Artistic Director, Bengaluru International Short Film Festival. “We are proud to recommend them for Academy consideration and look forward to seeing their journeys continue on the global stage.”
