Renowned documentary filmmaker Rakesh Sharma has been selected for the lifetime achievement award at the 17th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), scheduled to take place from August 22 to 27. The award, presented by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, includes a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, a citation, and a statuette, recognizing Sharma’s profound impact on Indian documentary filmmaking and his commitment to social justice.

Sharma gained international acclaim for his 2004 documentary Final Solution, which powerfully examines the 2002 Gujarat riots and the rise of Hindutva politics. His work, lauded for its incisive storytelling, has earned numerous national and international accolades and has been showcased at over 120 global film festivals. A curated selection of Sharma’s documentaries will be screened during the IDSFFK, offering audiences a chance to engage with his impactful oeuvre.

The IDSFFK lifetime achievement award places Sharma among esteemed previous recipients, including Anand Patwardhan, Madhusree Dutta, Ranjan Palit, Reena Mohan, and Naresh and Rajesh Bedi, cementing his legacy as a transformative figure in documentary cinema.

Also Read: Aditi Rao Hydari Wins Diversity in Cinema Award at IFFM 2025!

Also Read: No More Home Alone, Says Director Chris Columbus