The Kerala State Film Awards 2026 — officially the 56th Kerala State Film Awards, honouring Malayalam films certified in 2025 — are one of the most anticipated events in the Malayalam film calendar. At the time of writing in early October 2026, the winners had not yet been announced, but the conversation around the contenders is already intense. 2025 was a landmark year for Malayalam cinema, with blockbusters, bold debuts and remarkable performances from veterans and newcomers alike.
Note: This is a preview based on films released in 2025 and discussion in the media. None of the names below are confirmed nominees or winners. We will update this page when the official results are announced.
Key Points
- The 56th awards will honour Malayalam films certified in 2025.
- Media discussion has highlighted Basil Joseph (Ponman), Mohanlal (Thudarum), Pranav Mohanlal (Diés Iraé) and Mammootty (Kalamkaval) for Best Actor.
- A father–son contest between Mohanlal and Pranav Mohanlal has attracted special attention.
Table of Contents
About the Kerala State Film Awards
The awards are organised by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy for the state’s Department of Cultural Affairs. An independent jury reviews Malayalam films certified in the previous calendar year. Results are usually announced by the state’s culture minister in Thiruvananthapuram. The 55th awards were announced on 3 November 2025, so the 56th results may follow a similar timeline, though the date has not been confirmed.
How Kerala State Film Awards 2026 Winners Will Be Chosen
Producers submit eligible films to the Chalachitra Academy, and a jury of filmmakers, critics and technicians watches the entries over several weeks. In recent editions, a preliminary panel has screened the films first, with a final jury deciding the winners. The jury is usually chaired by a respected film personality, often from outside Kerala.
Because the jury watches every submission, smaller films sometimes win over big blockbusters. Popularity alone does not decide the result, which is why the Best Film with Popular Appeal category exists separately.
The Best Actor Race
Several strong performances from 2025 have been discussed as possible contenders:
- Basil Joseph – Ponman: his serious, grounded performance as a gold agent named Ajesh surprised audiences used to his comic roles.
- Mohanlal – Thudarum: his portrayal of an ordinary taxi driver pushed to the edge was one of the most praised performances of the year.
- Pranav Mohanlal – Diés Iraé: the young actor’s work in Rahul Sadasivan’s horror film drew attention and opened up the possibility of a father–son contest.
- Mammootty – Kalamkaval: after winning last year for Bramayugam, his chilling role in this psychological thriller keeps him in the conversation.
The father–son angle recalls 2015, when Mammootty and his son Dulquer Salmaan were both discussed in the same category and Dulquer won for Charlie. Read our profiles of Mohanlal, Mammootty and Basil Joseph.
Why 2025 Makes This Edition Special
The 2025 eligibility year produced record-breaking blockbusters, ambitious genre films and quieter character studies. Mohanlal alone had several major releases, Mammootty took on one of his darkest roles, and younger actors such as Basil Joseph and Pranav Mohanlal stretched themselves in new directions. That depth is why the Kerala State Film Awards 2026 have attracted so much speculation.
Best Film Contenders
Several 2025 films are widely seen as strong candidates, based on critical response:
| Film | Director | Why it could win |
|---|---|---|
| Ponman | Jothish Shankar | Gritty, socially aware drama |
| Rekhachithram | Jofin T. Chacko | Inventive mystery and craft |
| Officer on Duty | Jithu Ashraf | Intense, tightly made thriller |
| Thudarum | Tharun Moorthy | Popular and critically praised |
| Eko | Dinjith Ayyathan | From the director of Kishkindha Kaandam |
| Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra | Dominic Arun | Technical and commercial landmark |
The Best Film with Popular Appeal category could see blockbusters like Lokah, Thudarum or Sarvam Maya in contention. See our list of the best Malayalam movies 2025.
Other Categories to Watch
- Best Debut Director: Jithin K. Jose (Kalamkaval) is one of the notable first-time directors of the year.
- Music: Jakes Bejoy’s work on Lokah and Thudarum could be in contention.
- Character roles: Prakash Varma’s breakout turn in Thudarum and Vinayakan in Kalamkaval were widely praised.
Best Actress: An Open Field
The Best Actress category looks harder to predict. Kalyani Priyadarshan’s physically demanding role in Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is the most high-profile female performance of the year. Several smaller films with strong women-centred roles could also be in the mix, and the jury has a history of rewarding lesser-known performers.
Recent Announcement Dates and Best Actor Winners
| Edition | Announced | Best Actor |
|---|---|---|
| 53rd | 21 July 2023 | Mammootty (Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam) |
| 54th | 16 August 2024 | Prithviraj Sukumaran (Aadujeevitham) |
| 55th | 3 November 2025 | Mammootty (Bramayugam) |
| 56th | Not announced at the time of writing | — |
The dates show that the announcement has moved around from year to year, so the 56th results could arrive at any time. Read our Bramayugam review to revisit last year’s winning performance.
A Look Back: The 55th Awards
At the Kerala State Film Awards 2025, Manjummel Boys won Best Film, Mammootty won Best Actor for Bramayugam and newcomer Shamla Hamza won Best Actress for Feminichi Fathima. Read the full list in our Kerala State Film Awards 2025 report.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Kerala State Film Awards 2026 be announced?
No official date had been announced as of September 2026. The previous edition was announced on 3 November 2025.
Which films are eligible for the 56th Kerala State Film Awards?
Malayalam films certified during 2025 are eligible.
Who are the Best Actor contenders?
Media discussion has highlighted Basil Joseph, Mohanlal, Pranav Mohanlal and Mammootty, but no official nominees are announced in advance.
Who organises the Kerala State Film Awards 2026?
The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy organises the awards on behalf of the state’s Department of Cultural Affairs.
Can OTT-only films win?
Eligibility depends on censor certification and the academy’s rules for that edition; check the official notification for details.
Who won Best Actor last year?
Mammootty won Best Actor at the 55th Kerala State Film Awards for Bramayugam.
Conclusion
The Kerala State Film Awards 2026 promise a fascinating contest after one of the strongest years in Malayalam cinema history. Bookmark this page — we will update it with the full winners list once it is announced. For background, see the 55th Kerala State Film Awards on Wikipedia.
