Himachal’s ‘Ransingha’ Wins First Prize at Ujjaini Short Film Festival 2026

The short documentary film ‘Ransingha’, produced by Sanjeev Soni of Ghumarwin in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, has won the first prize in the non-fiction category at the Ujjaini Short Film Festival 2026. The award was given in a category featuring 232 Indian and eight short films.

The achievement has been described as a major success for filmmakers, cinematographers, artists and culture enthusiasts in Himachal Pradesh. After the award, the team behind ‘Ransingha’ held a press conference in Ghumarwin and shared details of the recognition.

During the press conference, producer Sanjeev Soni said that ‘Ransingha’ was screened on the big screen at USFF Season-4 in Mahakal Ujjain. He said the jury honoured the film with the first prize.

The festival featured well-known artists including Kamakhya Narayan Singh, Bhasha Sumbli, J. Nand Kumar and Rajesh Tailang. Their presence was also noted in connection with the event where ‘Ransingha’ received the award.

Professor Suresh Sharma, a musician who was part of the ‘Ransingha’ short film team, said the recognition was certainly a major achievement for Himachal Pradesh. He also appealed to the Himachal government to establish a short film industry in the state.

Professor Suresh Sharma said there was a strong need for such an industry to encourage musicians, cinematographers, actors, singers, instrumentalists, directors and film producers in Himachal Pradesh. He said the state has natural resources, but talented young artists from Himachal Pradesh are struggling in Chandigarh, Noida, Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru.

According to him, having a film industry within the state would create employment opportunities in Himachal Pradesh. It would also help develop and bring out the talent of young people.

The ‘Ransingha’ team said the award at the Ujjaini Short Film Festival 2026 has brought recognition to the work being done by artists and filmmakers connected with Himachal Pradesh. The team shared the achievement during the press conference in Ghumarwin and repeated the appeal for a short film industry to be established in the state.