Production

Adoor Gopalakrishnan

Adoor Gopalakrishnan is an Indian film director, script writer, and producer. Regarded as one of the most notable filmmakers of India, Gopalakrishnan played a major role in revolutionising Malayalam cinema during the 1970s and 80s. His first film, Swayamvaram (1972), pioneered the new wave cinema movement in Kerala. One of the most celebrated directors in the history of Indian cinema, he has won 16 National Film Awards, 17 Kerala State Film Awards and several international film awards. For his 1981 directorial venture Elippathayam, he was conferred the prestigious British Film Institute Award. Gopalakrishnan received the Padma Shri in 1984 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2006. In 2004, he was awarded the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in the field of cinema. Gopalakrishnan's works often depict the society and culture of his native state, Kerala, and deal with social and psychological themes.

Director

I V Sasi

Irruppam Veedu Sasidaran (28 March 1947 – 24 October 2017) was an Indian film director who made over 110 films predominantly in Malayalam, in addition to Tamil and Hindi languages. In 2015, he was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award, the highest award in Malayalam cinema. Often described as a pathbreaker, Sasi made his mark during Malayalam cinema’s transformative period from the 1970s to 1990s.

Director

Sibi Malayil

Sibi Malayil is a veteran Malayalam film director whose career spans more than four decades. After assisting acclaimed directors like Priyadarshan and Fazil, he made his debut in 1986 and went on to helm over 40 films. He is celebrated for emotionally powerful works such as Kireedam, Bharatham, Akashadoothu, and Sadayam. His collaborations with screenwriter A.K. Lohithadas and actor Mohanlal produced some of the most enduring classics in Malayalam cinema. Recipient of multiple national and Filmfare Awards, Sibi currently leads FEFKA and runs the NEO Film School in Kochi.

Director

Kamal

Kamal is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who works in Malayalam cinema. He is the current Chairman of the Kerala State Film Academy. Kamal made his directorial debut with the 1986 film Mizhineerppoovukal. In a career spanning over three decades, Kamal has directed over forty films.

Director

Shaji N. Karun

Shaji Neelakantan Karunakaran (1 January 1952 – 28 April 2025), better known as Shaji N. Karun, was an Indian film director and cinematographer. His debut film Piravi won the Caméra d'Or – Mention d'honneur at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. He was the inaugural chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, the first academy for film and TV in India and was also the executive chairman of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) from 1998 to 2001.

Director

Shaji Kailas

Shaji Kailas is an Indian film director best known for his hard-hitting Malayalam commercial films. He got a break in the industry with the comedy film Dr. Pasupathy (1990). He's known for his collaboration with screenwriters Renji Panicker and Ranijth. With Renji Panicker, Shaji made popular political thrillers such as Thalastaanam (1992), Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans (1993), Ekalavyan (1993), Mafia (1993), Commissioner (1994), and The King (1995). Shaji's collaboration with Ranijth brought forth stories set in a feudal background, such as Aaraam Thampuran (1997), Narasimham (2000), and Valliettan (2000).

Director

Jeethu Joseph

Jeethu Joseph is an Indian film director and screenwriter best known for his work in Malayalam cinema. Jeethu made his directional debut with the 2007 film Detective and later went on to direct five successful films: Mummy & Me (2010), My Boss (2012), Memories (2013), Drishyam (2013) and Life of Josutty (2015). Jeethu gained popularity after the release of Drishyam, produced by Aashirvad Cinemas, which is one of the highest grossing Malayalam film of all time. Jeethu made his Tamil debut with Papanasam (2015), which was the remake of Drishyam.

Director

Lijo Jose Pellissery

Lijo Jose Pellissery (born September 18, 1978) is a renowned Indian filmmaker and actor, primarily working in Malayalam cinema. He is celebrated for his bold, unconventional storytelling and experimental approach to filmmaking. Lijo’s films are known for their complex narratives, inventive visual style, and strong ensemble casts, often blending realism with surreal elements. Over the years, he has garnered critical acclaim and a strong cult following for pushing the boundaries of mainstream Malayalam cinema. Lijo made his directorial debut with Nayakan (2010), but it was his later films that truly established his unique cinematic voice. His film Amen (2013), a quirky musical drama set in a small village, was a commercial and critical success, showcasing his ability to blend humor, romance, and social commentary. However, it was Angamaly Diaries (2017) that brought him widespread recognition. The film, shot in a raw, naturalistic style with a cast of newcomers, depicted the vibrant, chaotic world of the titular town. Its famous 11-minute single-take climax became a defining moment in modern Malayalam cinema. Following that, Lijo’s Ee.Ma.Yau (2018) won several awards for its powerful portrayal of death and grief in a coastal village, using dark humor and deeply philosophical undertones. Lijo continued to challenge conventional filmmaking with Jallikattu (2019), a visceral and visually stunning film about the chaos that ensues when a buffalo escapes in a rural village. Jallikattu was India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2020 Academy Awards, marking Lijo’s global recognition. His films often explore the primal instincts of humans, societal chaos, and the dynamics of rural life, all while maintaining a sense of authenticity and local flavor. With his bold vision and fearless experimentation, Lijo Jose Pellissery has become one of the most innovative and influential filmmakers in contemporary Indian cinema.

Director

Jude Anthany Joseph

Jude Anthany Joseph is an Indian film director, screenwriter and actor, who works in Malayalam film industry.

Director

Jithu Satheesan Mangalathu