Hyderabad: Telangana Film Development Corporation Chairman Dil Raju on Saturday announced the Young Filmmaker Challenge 2026 – Season 2 as part of the Bathukamma festival celebrations.
The FDC would organise competitions in short films and songs based on Telangana government schemes, the state’s history, culture, festivals and traditional art forms. This year, the organisers also introduced folk songs, influencer videos on government schemes and articles as new categories.
Dil Raju unveiled the competition poster along with FDC Managing Director G. Mukunda Reddy and State Government Creative Director Raj Konda. FDC Executive Director Kishore Babu also attended the launch.
Dil Raju urged young creative talent to use the opportunity to demonstrate their skills through different forms of visual and written content.
Young Filmmaker Challenge adds new categories
Dil Raju said the Young Filmmaker Challenge would cover a wider range of creative formats this year. Apart from short films and songs, participants could submit folk songs, influencer videos and articles. The themes would focus on Telangana’s culture, heritage, festivals, traditional arts and government schemes.
Creative Director Raj Konda said the initiative would give youngsters a platform to showcase their creativity. He said participation could also help aspiring creators explore opportunities to enter the film industry in the future.
Konda added that the contest would help take Telangana’s traditions, culture and festivals to a wider audience. He said it would also promote welfare programmes of the State government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
The organisers prescribed technical limits for entries in the audiovisual categories. Short films should not exceed three minutes, while songs should have a maximum duration of five minutes. In addition, entries had to be submitted in 4K resolution.
Young Filmmaker Challenge entries close September 15
Participants interested in the Young Filmmaker Challenge were asked to submit their entries by September 15, 2026. Entries could be sent by email to youngfilmmakerschallenge@gmail.com or through WhatsApp on 8125834009.
A jury comprising experts would evaluate the submissions and select the winners. The competition carried a first prize of Rs. 3 lakh. The second prize was fixed at Rs. 2 lakh, while the third prize carried Rs. 1 lakh.
Five other participants would receive consolation prizes of Rs. 20,000 each. The organisers would also present certificates of appreciation and mementoes to winners and selected participants.
FDC officials said the initiative was intended to encourage young creators while expanding public engagement with Telangana’s culture and government programmes. The Young Filmmaker Challenge would form part of the Bathukamma celebrations and provide a competitive platform across film, music, digital and written formats.