The Andhra Pradesh government is committed to the comprehensive development of the Telugu film industry in the state and will launch a dedicated action plan from April this year, Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh announced on Tuesday.

Speaking at a felicitation programme held at his chamber in the Secretariat at Velagapudi, the Minister said the coalition government is determined to transform Andhra Pradesh into a vibrant hub for cinema and allied creative industries. The event was organised to honour winners of the Andhra Pradesh Short Film Festival-2026, conducted under the aegis of the Movie Artists Association-Andhra Pradesh (MAA-AP).

Congratulating the award-winning filmmakers, technicians and actors, Minister Durgesh praised the young talent for producing socially relevant short films. He presented mementos and cash prizes to the winners and appreciated the organisers for successfully conducting the festival in Tenali on January 11 without charging any entry fee.

Lauding film director and festival organiser Dilip Raja, the Minister said initiatives like the AP Short Film Festival play a crucial role in identifying and encouraging new talent from within the state. “Our government’s objective is to create opportunities for aspiring artists and technicians from Andhra Pradesh and provide them a strong platform to showcase their skills,” he said.

Durgesh revealed that discussions would soon be held with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on reviving the prestigious Nandi Awards and Nandi Natakotsavam. “An official announcement regarding the conduct of these awards and theatre festivals will be made shortly,” he added.

The Minister reiterated the government’s vision to develop Amaravati as a film industry centre on par with Hyderabad. “The coalition government is committed to strengthening cinema infrastructure, encouraging local talent and making Andhra Pradesh a preferred destination for film production,” he stated.