Cinema in Kerala

The first Malayalam film was 'Vigatakumaran', which was screened at the Capitol Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram on 7 November 1928. This silent film was scripted, produced and directed by J.C. Daniel. In 1933, the second silent film in Malayalam, 'Marthanda Varma', was released. It was produced by Sundarraj and directed by Y.V. Rao. The first Malayalam sound film, 'Balan', produced by T.R. Sundaram and directed by S. Nottani, was released in 1938. In 1940, the second Malayalam sound film, 'Jnanambika', was released. Then in 1941, the first Malayalam mythological film, 'Prahlada', directed by K. Subramaniam, was released. Six films were released in 1950. 'Jeevithanauka', released in 1951, was the first 'box office hit' film in Malayalam. With this film, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair became the first 'superstar' in Malayalam cinema. 'Neelakkuyil', released in 1954, was the first Malayalam film to win the President's Silver Medal. 'Kandam Becha Kottu', directed by T.R. Sundaram in 1961, was the first color film in Malayalam. 'Chemmeen', directed by Ramu Kariat, based on Thakazhi's novel, was released in 1965. It was the first South Indian film to win the President's Gold Medal.

'Thacholi Ambu', released in 1978, was the first CinemaScope film in Malayalam. Navodaya Appachan produced the first 70 mm film in Malayalam (Padayottam, 1982) and the first 3D film in India (My Dear Kuttichathan, 1984). 'Nirmalyam' directed by M.T. Vasudevan Nair won the National Award for Best Film in 1973. P.J. Antony became the first actor from Malayalam to win the Bharat Award for his performance in this film. In the 1970s, the Film Institute, Film Archives and Film Finance Corporation were formed in connection with film. In 1982, Adoor Gopalakrishnan's 'Elippathayam' won the British Film Institute's award. Shaji N. Karun's 'Swam' (1994) was the first Malayalam film to be selected for the competition section at the Cannes Film Festival. 'Kalapani' directed by Priyadarshan in 1996 was the first Dolby Stereo film in Malayalam. 'Adaminte Makan Abu' directed by Salim Ahmed was selected to compete for the 2011 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

J.C. Daniel Award

The first silent film in Malayalam was released in 1928. This film was 'Vigatakumaran'. J.C. Daniel, who directed and produced it, is known as the 'Father of Malayalam Cinema'. The J.C. Daniel Award is an award started by the Kerala government in tribute to J.C. Daniel. The Department of Culture introduced this award as part of the Kerala State Film Awards in 1992. This award is given in consideration of the comprehensive contribution made to Malayalam cinema. The prize money of the J.C. Daniel Award, the highest film award of the state government, is five lakh rupees. The award also consists of a statuette, and a citation. Until 1997, the award winner was selected every year by a jury specially appointed by the Kerala Cultural Department. However, in 1998, the government formed the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and handed over the responsibility of selecting the award winner to the Chalachitra Academy. The first award winner in 1992 was producer and distributor T.E. Vasudevan.

Kerala State Film Award

The Kerala State Film Awards are an award instituted by the state government in the Malayalam film industry. The awards are given in various categories in the film industry including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Other Stars and Supporting Actors. The award winner is selected by the Kerala Cultural Department and the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. The State Film Awards were started in 1969. The first film to win this award was Kumarasambhavam. The first best director was A. Vincent, actor Sathyan, and actress Sheela.