The US Consulate General announced the winners of the Short Film Festival on Women’s Safety and Empowerment. The  short film 'A Broken Toy', written and directed by  Shivam Sharma, won the grand prize at the short-film contest on the theme of women’s safety and empowerment held in Mumbai, India.

The event was sponsored by the US Consulate General in Mumbai in partnership with Women in Film and Television (WIFT).

The panel of judges that included Bollywood actresses Pallavi Sharda and Kirti Kulhari at the gala film screening also awarded the second and third place films, and presented a People’s Choice Award and a Best Female Director prize.

The nine short films that were screened at the event. The second place award went to 'A Girl’s Story' by Jarna Devnani and Harish Devnani, and the third place prize to 'Unmasked' by Team Sophia College.

The People’s Choice Award went to 'A Broken Toy' and Ananda Mukerjei received the Best Female Director recognition for her short film 'Inaya'.

The contest and award ceremony are part of the US Consulate General in Mumbai’s activities to mark the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, a global campaign that takes place from November 25 to December 10.

The US Consul General Tom Vajda stated at the ceremony, that, “The United States puts gender equality and the advancement of women and girls at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy. It is woven into everything we do. Here in India, in addition to this film contest initiative, the U.S. Mission is active on many fronts in raising public awareness about gender-based violence, sharing our best practices with Indian law enforcement, and supporting organizations that offer services to victims and to those at risk.”

Actress Pallavi Sharda said that, “It is my privilege to be a part of the third film festival, under the aegis of the U.S. Consulate, devoted to a message against gender violence. I believe strongly in the fight against gender inequality and these short films go a long way in giving voice to a pertinent, very real issue. It is only when diverse voices unite and speak out in unison that they can be effectively heard. This evening is a positive example of such unity. I have always believed in using art for social justice, and am glad to be part of this collective effort where cinematic voices speak as one against the scourge of gender violence.”

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Nandini