In a significant international achievement for Indian animation, the animated short film CHYIMI, directed by Partha Sarathi Mahanta, has won the Best Director Award at the New York Short Animation Festival (NYSAF) 2026.
Dr. Mahanta currently serves as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Assam Police and Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, making the achievement particularly notable as it combines public service with creative excellence.
About the Festival
- The New York Short Animation Festival is an international platform that celebrates creativity, originality and craftsmanship in animation.
- It brings together innovative works from animators across the world and recognises outstanding storytelling through the medium of animated films.
- The festival provides an opportunity for both emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work before global audiences.
Significance for Indian Animation
- The award marks an important milestone for Indian and Assamese storytelling in the international animation landscape.
- It acknowledges the film’s artistic direction and its ability to communicate a compelling narrative through animation.
- With this recognition, CHYIMI joins a distinguished list of animated works that continue to expand the possibilities of visual storytelling and creative expression.
International Exposure Through Collaboration
- The New York Short Animation Festival is also partnered with Cine Universitario UACJ in Mexico.
- Through this collaboration, selected films from the festival receive additional screening opportunities in Mexico, providing filmmakers with broader international exposure and access to new audiences.
A Global Platform for Animation
- Beyond being a competition, the festival serves as a vibrant platform where animators from different cultures share stories, connect with global audiences and gain international visibility.
- The recognition of CHYIMI highlights the growing global presence of Indian animation and demonstrates the power of culturally rooted storytelling to reach audiences worldwide.