Mr. Sayanthan Abisaran, a Level IV student of the Department of Media Studies, received the Audience Choice Award at the 11th Jaffna International Cinema Festival 2026 for his short film, Dheera.

The award ceremony was held on 4 January 2026 at Regal Cinema, Cargills Square, Jaffna. The award was presented by Prof. S. Raguram, Dean of the Faculty of Arts.

The Department of Media Studies offers the course unit Digital Storytelling: Short Filmmaking as part of the Level IV Media Studies Honours Degree Programme. This course provides students with hands-on experience in short film production, covering video production principles, storytelling techniques, visual aesthetics, and the technical skills required to create short films.

The recognition of Dheera at the 11th Jaffna International Cinema Festival highlights the practical learning opportunities offered through the Department’s curriculum and demonstrates how students can apply the knowledge and skills acquired through their academic studies to creative filmmaking.