Shiny Benjamin

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

Life 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.

Filmography Year Title Script Short Description 2017The Swords of Liberty Beear Prasad Describes the life and death of Velu Thambi Dalawa. 2014 In Return: Just a Book Paul Zacharia A docufiction inspired by Indian author Perumpadam Sreedharan’s novel on Fyodor Dostoevsky. 2013Translated Lives - A Migration Revisited Paul Zacharia A documentary about the lives of Malayali women who emigrated to Germany in the 1960s to become nurses. 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. 2004Mazha (Rain) Shiny Benjamin Describes the monsoons of Kerala. 2003Avan (He) Shiny Benjamin A film which explores the world of homosexual sex workers. 2002Namukkum Avarkkum Idayil (In Between) Shiny Benjamin The film explores the topic of cruelty against animals. 2001Murivunangatha Balyangal (Wounded Childhood) Shiny Benjamin A film on child abuse. 2001Devil 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

2011 - MIFF Mumbai International Film Festival 2014 -11th Indian film festival, Stuttgart, Germany 2010 - IDSFK Competition Section, Thiruvananthapuram 2009 - SiGNS Film Festival for Short and Documentary films organized by Federation of Film Societies of India 2016 - International Film Festival of India 2016 - 64th International Film Festival (Delhi) 2016 - Pacific Meridian International Film Festival 2016 - Moscow Indian Film Festival, Moscow 2016 - Hindu Lit for Life, Chennai. 2016 - Kerala Literature Festival 2017 - Women’s Film Festival 2017 - Soorya Festival 2017 - Thasarak Literary Festival, Dubai 2017 - Sharjah International Film Festival for Children & Youth (sicff) 2017 - Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2018 - International Documentary & Short Film Festival of Kerala 2018 - Women’s Film Festival 2018 - International Film Festival of India 2018 - Kolkata International Film Festival 2019 - Kerala Literature Festival 2019 - Soorya Festival 2019 - Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2019 - Krithi Knowledge Festival 2019 - Kochi-Muziris Biennale

Awards 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. 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.