Shiny Benjamin, (also known Shiny Jacob Benjamin[1][2] born in Karavaloor, Punalur, Kollam) is a National Award-winning Indian director of documentaries and docufictions, from Trivandrum, Kerala.[3][4]

Shiny Benjamin
The Director, Shiny Jacob Benjamin at the presentation of her film ‘In Return Just a Book’, during the 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2016), in Panaji, Goa on November 24, 2016.jpg
Shiny Benjamin, IFFI (2016)
Born
Shiny Benjamin

Kollam, Kerala, India
OccupationFilm director
AwardsNational Film Award for Best Biographical Film 2018

Life

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Shiny Benjamin began her career as journalist, and had been a documentary director since 1999. She worked as a feature writer with the Malayalam newspapers Malayala Manorama and Mathrubhumi before joining Asianet (TV channel), the first Malayalam satellite television channel. Later, she worked with Indiavision, the first news channel in Malayalam, as a chief producer for the television channel JaiHind TV and Jaihind Middle East. Shiny is the younger daughter of K.O.Benjamin and Sosamma Benjamin. Her education began at Karavaloor AMMHS and continued at St. Gorety Girls High School, followed by St. John's College, Anchal. She has been honoured with 20 awards including five National Awards and eight Kerala State Film Awards for documentaries and docufictions.[5][6]

Filmography

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Year Title Script Short Description
2017 The Swords of Liberty Beear Prasad Describes the life and death of Velu Thambi Dalawa.[7][8]
2014 In Return: Just a Book Paul Zacharia A docufiction inspired by Indian author Perumpadam Sreedharan’s novel on Fyodor Dostoevsky.[9][10]
2013 Translated Lives - A Migration Revisited Paul Zacharia A documentary about the lives of Malayali women who emigrated to Germany in the 1960s to become nurses.[2]
2012 Between a Rock and a Hard Place Paul Zacharia A documentary about the lives of five Kerala women.
2010 Ottayal (One Woman: Alone) Shiny Benjamin Describes the life of Daya Bai who fought for the right of Gonds in Madhya Pradesh.[11]
2006 Bhagya-Singer in a Democracy Shiny Benjamin Life of a migrant young woman from Karnataka who makes a living by singing on trains.
2005 Nizhalukal (Shadows) Shiny Benjamin Tells the story of the lives of young victims of sexual abuse and rape.
2004 Mazha (Rain) Shiny Benjamin Describes the monsoons of Kerala.
2003 Avan (He) Shiny Benjamin A film which explores the world of homosexual sex workers.
2002 Namukkum Avarkkum Idayil (In Between) Shiny Benjamin The film explores the topic of cruelty against animals.
2001 Murivunangatha Balyangal (Wounded Childhood) Shiny Benjamin A film on child abuse.
2001 Devil Worshippers Shiny Benjamin A documentary exploring the belief and practice of black magic in Kerala.
2000 Kanayi Kazchakal (Kanayis Artscape) Shiny Benjamin A brief study of the art and personality of Kanayi Kunhiraman, India’s foremost contemporary sculptor.

Film festivals

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Awards

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  • 2017 - The Sword of Liberty Kerala State Awards for the Best Documentary and Best Director
  • 2017 - The Sword of Liberty National Film Award for Best Historical Reconstruction/Compilation Film.
  • 2017 - National Film Award for the Best Biographical Film / Best Historical Reconstruction. (Non feature - Biographical Film)
  • 2017 - National Film Award for the Best Music Direction-Background score. (Non feature - Biographical Film)
  • 2014 - Translated Lives - A Migration Revisited Best Documentary Film Award at the 3rd Kolkata Shorts International Film Festival.
  • 2014 - Translated Lives - A Migration Revisited The Laadly National Media Award for Gender Sensitivity.
  • 2014 - In Return: Just a Book 64th for the Best Audiography to Ajith Abraham George.
  • 2010 - Ottayal (One Woman Alone) National Film Awards for the Best Documentary.[6]
  • 2010 - Ottayal (One woman lone) Kerala State Award for Best Documentary.
  • 2010 - Ottayal (One woman lone) Special Jury Award John Abraham International Festival for Documentaries and Short Films (Signs) & The Laadly National Media Award.
  • 2006 - Bhagya, Singer in a Democracy Kerala State Award for Best Documentary.
  • 2005 - Nizhalukal (Shadows) Kerala State Award for Best Documentary.
  • 2004 - Mazha (Rain) Kerala State Special Jury Award for Documentary.
  • 2003 - Avan (He) Kerala State Award for Best Documentary. & Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Documentary and Best Director.
  • 2002 - Namukkum Avarkkum Idayil (In Between) Kerala State Award for Best Documentary on Topical Issues & Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Documentary and Best Director.
  • 2001 - Murivunangatha Balyangal (Wounded Childhood) Kerala State Special Jury Film Award for Best Documentary.

References

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  1. ^ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (28 March 2014). "Reels of reality". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  2. ^ a b George, Liza (5 March 2014). "Nursing big dreams". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  3. ^ "A real to reel story of a warrior". The New Indian Express. 18 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Official Selection - Kolkata International Film Festival". www.kiff.in.
  5. ^ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (24 May 2018). "In the footsteps of Velu Thampi Dalawa". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  6. ^ a b "RIFFA BIO - Shiny Jacob Benjamin". www.riffa.ca.
  7. ^ "'The Sword of Liberty': Freedom fighter Velu Thambi Dalawa's story in film". The News Minute. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  8. ^ Staff Reporter (19 June 2018). "The Dalawa gets a documentary". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  9. ^ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (3 November 2016). "To Russia, with love". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  10. ^ "In Return: Just a Book - a filmic tribute to Dostoyevsky and Perumbadavam". OnManorama.
  11. ^ "58th National Film Awards: Meet the winners". News18. 9 September 2011.
  12. ^ "Press Information Bureau: Government of India news site, PIB Mumbai website, PIB Mumbai, Press Information Bureau, PIB, India's Official media agency, Government of India press releases, PIB photographs, PIB photos, Press Conferences in Mumbai, Union Minister Press Conference, Marathi press releases, PIB features, Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign, Public Information Campaign, Bharat Nirman Campaign, Public Information Campaign, Indian Government press releases, PIB Western Region".
  13. ^ "A real to reel story of a warrior- The New Indian Express". 18 June 2018.
  14. ^ https://sicff.ae/
  15. ^ "Kolkata International Film Festival".
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