Tata Steel Foundation facilitates screening of Ninth Edition of ‘Samuday Ke Saath’ National Short Film Competition 2026 at IIMC Dhenkanal
Meramandali, Aug 21, 2026- Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) facilitated the screening of the Ninth Edition of ‘Samuday Ke Saath’ (SKS) National Short Film Competition 2026 at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal. The event brought together students, faculty members and media enthusiasts to experience powerful short films that portray community voices, social realities and stories of change from across India.
‘Samuday Ke Saath’ is an initiative of Tata Steel Foundation that uses the medium of cinema to amplify voices and narratives from Indigenous and tribal communities. Over the years, the platform has encouraged filmmakers to explore grassroots stories and present diverse community experiences through compelling visual storytelling.
The screening provided students of IIMC Dhenkanal an opportunity to engage with films that demonstrate how cinema can serve as a powerful medium for documenting lived experiences, strengthening cultural expression and creating meaningful conversations around communities and social issues. The initiative also aimed to inspire young communication and media professionals to explore responsible storytelling and the potential of cinema to contribute to social change.
The event featured Ravi Raj Murmu, National Award-winning filmmaker, as the guest speaker. Murmu received the Best Debut Director Award at the 72nd National Film Awards for his Santhali short film Angen. His association with Tata Steel Foundation dates to 2008, when he was selected for the Jyoti Fellowship. He later became associated with Samuday Ke Saath as a filmmaker and mentor. As a Tata Steel Scholar, he pursued a postgraduate diploma in filmmaking at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.
Murmu’s presence added a valuable dimension to the programme, offering students an opportunity to engage with the journey of a filmmaker whose work is deeply connected with community narratives and Indigenous storytelling.
The programme was attended by Prof. (Dr.) Anand Pradhan, Regional Director, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal, Subranshu Sekhar Panda, Chief, Corporate Services, Tata Steel Meramandali, Kumar Saurabh, Unit Lead, Tata Steel Foundation, Meramandali, along with members from the Tribal Identity and Corporate Communications teams, Tata Steel Meramandali and students of English Journalism, Corporate Communication and Brand Management and Odia journalism.
The screening at IIMC Dhenkanal reaffirmed Tata Steel Foundation’s commitment to creating platforms that encourage community-led storytelling and foster greater awareness of diverse social and cultural narratives. Through initiatives such as Samuday Ke Saath, TSF continues to support the intersection of cinema, communication and community voices, while encouraging young storytellers to use their craft to document and amplify stories that matter.
