The Kerala State Film Awards 2025 winners have finally been revealed, celebrating the finest talents in Malayalam cinema. The jury, comprising seven distinguished members from the film fraternity, was chaired by veteran actor Prakash Raj. The award ceremony took place at Ramanilayam, Thrissur, honoring the best films and performances produced in Kerala over the past year.

Let’s take a closer look at the complete list of Kerala State Film Awards 2025 winners and what made this year’s edition truly special.

About the Kerala State Film Awards

The Kerala State Film Awards were first established in 1969 to recognize and promote artistic excellence in Malayalam cinema. Initially managed by the Department of Cultural Affairs, the awards have been organized by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy since 1998.

These awards are known for their credibility and artistic integrity. Every year, a jury comprising eminent figures from the film industry evaluates the entries and selects the most deserving talents across various categories — from acting and direction to music and technical brilliance.

👉 Also Read: [71st National Film Awards 2025 – Complete Winners List]

Kerala State Film Awards 2025 – Full Winners List

Here’s the complete list of winners for the Kerala State Film Awards 2025, celebrating cinematic excellence and creativity:

• Best Actor (Male): Mammootty – Bramayugam
• Best Actor (Female): Shamla Hamza – Feminichi Fathima
• Best Director: Chidambaram S Poduval – Manjummel Boys
• Best Character Artist (Female): Lijomol Jose – Nadanna Sambhavam
• Best Character Artist (Male): Soubin Shahir (Manjummel Boys) & Sidharth Bharathan (Bramayugam)
• Special Jury Award for Acting (Male): Tovino Thomas (ARM) & Asif Ali (Kishkindha Kaandam)
• Special Jury Award for Acting (Female): Jyothirmayi (Bougainvillea) & Darshana Rajendran (Paradise)
• Best Second Film: Feminichi Fathima
• Best Debut Director: Fasil Muhammed – Feminichi Fathima
• Best Popular Film: Premalu
• Special Jury Award for Women/Transgender Filmmakers: Payal Kapadia – All We Imagine As Light
• Best Story: Prasanna Vithanage – Paradise
• Best Screenplay: Lajo Jose & Amal Neerad – Bougainvillea
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Lajo Jose & Amal Neerad – Bougainvillea
• Best Cinematography: Shyju Khalid – Manjummel Boys
• Best Music Director: Sushin Shyam – Bougainvillea
• Best Background Score: Christo Xavier – Bramayugam
• Best Lyricist (Male): Vedan – Kuthanthram (Manjummel Boys)
• Best Playback Singer (Female): Zeba Tommy – “Aarorum” (Am Ah)
• Best Playback Singer (Male): KS Harisankar – “Kiliye” (ARM)
• Best Dance Choreography: Sumesh Sunder & Jishnudas M.V. – Bougainvillea
• Best Costume Design: Sameera Saneesh – Rekhachithram & Bougainvillea
• Best Makeup Artist: Ronex Xavier – Bougainvillea & Bramayugam
• Best Sync Sound: Pani
• Best Sound Mixing: Fazal A. Backer & Shijin Melvin Hutton – Manjummel Boys
• Best Sound Design: Shibin Melvin & Abhishek Nair – Manjummel Boys
• Best VFX: ARM
• Best Production Design: Ajayan Chalissery – Manjummel Boys
• Best Art Direction: Ajayan Chalissery – Manjummel Boys
• Best Editor: Sooraj E.S. – Kishkindha Kaandam
• Best Processing Lab/Colorist: Shree Warrier – Manjummel Boys & Bougainvillea
• Best Dubbing Artist (Female): Sayonara Philip – Barroz
• Best Dubbing Artist (Male): Bhasi Vaikom – Barroz
• Best Book on Cinema: Penpaattu Thaarakal – Malayala Cinemapattukalile Pennaavishkaarangal by C.S. Meenakshi
• Best Article on Cinema: Maayunna Nalukettukalum – Malayalam Cinemayum Maarunna Bhaavukathvangalum by Valsan Vathussery
• Special Jury Award for Article on Cinema: Samayathinte Vistheernam by Noufal Mariyam Blathoor

Highlights of Kerala State Film Awards 2025

This year’s awards highlighted a perfect balance between mainstream appeal and artistic brilliance. Films like Manjummel Boys and Bougainvillea dominated multiple categories, while Feminichi Fathima stood out for its strong feminist narrative and fresh direction.

Veteran actor Mammootty once again reaffirmed his stature as one of India’s finest performers, while new-age talents such as Fasil Muhammed and Shamla Hamza earned recognition for their creative contributions.

With every passing year, the Kerala State Film Awards continue to set higher benchmarks for Malayalam cinema, celebrating not just entertainment but also the depth, diversity, and storytelling power that defines the industry.