Kerala State Film Awards

The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and since 1998 the awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Chalachitra Academy on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs.

The awardees are decided by an independent jury formed by the academy and the Department of Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Kerala. The jury usually consists of eminent personalities from the film field. For the awards for literature on cinema a separate jury is formed. The academy annually invites films for the award and the jury analyses the films that are submitted before deciding the winners. The awards intends to promote films with artistic values and encourage artists, technicians and producers. The awards are declared by the Minister for Cultural Affairs and are presented by the Chief Minister of Kerala.

List of awards
The number of awards varies from year to year, considering the changing scenario of motion picture arts within and outside the state of Kerala. The latest number of awards is over 30; the original number of awards in 1969 was 15.
 * J. C. Daniel Award (Lifetime Achievement Awards) for "Outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema".
 * Best Film: A cash award of Rs.100,000/-, a replica and a certificate to the producer. A cash award of Rs.40,000/-, a replica and a certificate to the director
 * Second Best Film: A cash award of Rs.60,000/-, a replica and a certificate to the producer. A cash award of Rs.30,000/-, a replica and a certificate to the director
 * Kerala State Film Award for Best Short Film
 * Best Director: A cash award of Rs.50,000/-, a replica
 * Best Actor: A cash award of 1 Lakh, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Actress: A cash award of 1 Lakh, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Character Actor: A cash award of Rs.50000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Character Actress: A cash award of Rs.50000//-, a replica and a certificate
 * Second Best Actor: A cash award of Rs.50000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Second Best Actress: A cash award of Rs.50000//-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Comedian: (1969-72, 2008-2013. Discontinued after 2013)
 * Best Child Artist: A cash award of Rs.50000//-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Story: A cash award of Rs.50000//-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Screenplay: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Cinematography: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Lyrics: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Music Director: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Background Music: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Singer: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Film Editor: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Art Director: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Sound Recordist: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Processing Lab: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Makeup Artist: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Costume Designer: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Dubbing Artist: A cash award of Rs.7,500/-, a replica and a certificate each
 * Best Choreography: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value: To the producer and director
 * Best Children's Film: To the producer and director
 * Best Debut Director
 * Special Jury Award: A cash award of Rs.30,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Special Mention: A replica and a certificate
 * Best Documentary: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate to the producer. A cash award of Rs.9,000/-, a replica and a certificate to the director
 * Best Book on Cinema: A cash award of Rs.15,000/-, a replica and a certificate
 * Best Article on Cinema: A cash award of Rs.8,000/-, a replica and a certificate