Bhubaneswar: In a significant initiative to promote inclusivity and highlight the achievements of persons with disabilities, the Odisha Government’s Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) has announced the national-level short film festival ‘Samarthya-2026’.
The festival aims to bring inspiring stories of determination, achievement, and resilience of persons with disabilities to a wider national audience through the medium of cinema. According to the SSEPD Department, the theme for this year’s festival is “Success Stories of Persons with Disabilities.”
Senior officials of the department unveiled details of the festival during a press conference in Bhubaneswar on Friday. Prominent film personalities, jury members, and industry experts were also present at the event and emphasized the role of cinema in promoting awareness, inclusion, and social change.
The festival is open to filmmakers, directors, producers, media students, and independent content creators from across India. Participants are encouraged to create short films showcasing the struggles, achievements, and inspiring journeys of persons with disabilities.
As per the guidelines, each film must have a maximum duration of five minutes and should be based on real-life success stories. To ensure accessibility for all audiences, the organizers have made it mandatory for entries to include audio descriptions, sign language interpretation, subtitles, or closed captions.
The SSEPD Department stated that the Odisha Government will extend all necessary support to make the festival a success and provide a national platform for stories that often remain unheard.
Interested participants can obtain detailed guidelines and registration information through the festival’s official website. The last date for submission of entries is July 7.
The initiative is expected to encourage meaningful storytelling while promoting greater awareness and recognition of the contributions and achievements of persons with disabilities in society.
