Vinod Ganatra

Vinod Ganatra is a globally renowned children’s filmmaker and editor from Gujarat who became the first Indian to be honored with the Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award of South Africa for his contribution to films. He was awarded at the 7th Nelson Mandela Children’s Film Festival. Approximately 400 documentaries and newsreels were edited and directed by him. He also created 25 multilingual television programs for children and youth. Being a key figure in the children's film movement, he established the Ahmedabad International Children Film Festival. Baigan Raja was his first TV program and it won the Janakinath Gaur Award from Doordarshan. Harun-Arun, his Gujarati film was made on the India-Pakistan border. At the Chicago International Children's Film Festival, it won the Liv Ullmann Peace Prize and he was the only Indian who received the esteemed award.

In addition, the movie won three other awards: the CIFEJ Prize by Professional Jury, the Special Humanity Award by Children Jury, and the Audience Award at Freeze Frame Festival. Later, it received the Best Costume Award. In 2011, Vinod Ganatra was the winner of the Golden Butterfly Award for Harun-Arun as Best Asian Film. Through his debut feature film, Heda Hoda, and the following film Lukka Chuppi, he gained international recognition in his career. A recipient of 36 national and international awards, he also received the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Film and Video Editors. Over the years, he has participated in more than 100 national, regional, and international film festivals as a jury member. A former Hon.Secretary, Vice President, and President, he served the Indian Documentary Producers Association for four years. He is a member of the Film Advisory Board of CBFC as well.