Kottayam: What does it mean to say “I Am”? For college students across Kerala, it meant a chance to turn the camera inward — and outward — and get creative. Onmanorama’s ReelOn Season 1 has wrapped with a bang, and the winners of the statewide campus reels contest have been officially announced.

The challenge? Create a one-minute reel around the theme “I Am” — a prompt designed to spark introspection, imagination, and uninhibited expression. And the response? Nothing short of spectacular. From personal revelations to genre-defying visuals, students from across the state turned in reels that were raw, real, and riveting.

After several rounds of viewing, discussion, and debate, the jury shortlisted nine stand-out entries — three top winners, two audience favourites, and four special mentions who made a lasting impression.

Winners

• FIRST PRIZE– ₹20,000
  Amna Sajid
  Muthoot Institute of Technology and Science, Kochi

Amna’s reel cut through the noise with clarity and elegance. The framing was tight, the concept sharp, and her delivery poised. Her voice did not just say a story; it carried conviction, composure, and creative courage.

• SECOND PRIZE– ₹10,000
  Gloriya Thomas
  Global Institute of Public Health, Thiruvananthapuram

Gloriya’s reel feels like a gentle ripple. It is subtle, soulful, and sincere. Her take on identity was emotionally rich and offers a graceful meditation on selfhood that lingers in the viewer’s mind.

• THIRD PRIZE– ₹7,000
  Aravind G Menon and Team
  St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, Kozhikode
  Aravind and team delivered a visually driven, sound-scaped narrative that explored belonging, individuality, and expression and it was all stitched together with seamless teamwork.

Popular Choice Awards – ₹7,500 EACH

Mayuri Tiwari
Manorama School of Communication (MASCOM), Kottayam
Mayuri brought journalistic instinct and artistic sensibility into perfect sync. Her reel was both reflective and confident. It was backed by a clear narrative arc and a sharp eye for storytelling detail.

Naira Fathima
Zaitoon International, Malappuram
Unapologetic and original, Naira’s reel exuded power and personality. She owned the frame with a bold aesthetic and a commanding screen presence.

Special mention
These creators missed the podium by a whisker but earned serious props from the jury for their storytelling craft, inventive visuals, and emotional honesty:

• Christy Charly – Viswajyothi College of Engineering, Vazhakulam
• Muthulakshmi R – College of Engineering and Management, Punnapra
• Anstin Ben – Believers Church Medical College, Thiruvalla
• Anjali Lal Joseph – St Berchmans College, Changanassery

Thank you, Kerala
From aspiring filmmakers and poets to dancers, coders, and quiet dreamers, ReelOn Season 1 became a stage for every voice, every lens, every story. Students from engineering colleges, medical schools, journalism campuses, and liberal arts institutions showed us what Kerala’s youth are made of. The constituents are bold ideas, brave hearts, and boundless creativity.

The theme “I Am” opened the floodgates to stories about gender, memory, ambition, mental health, language, and love. Each reel was a mirror held up to identity in all its forms.

To every participant, mentor, jury member, and campus coordinator — thank you. You made ReelOn Season 1 unforgettable. The contest may have ended, but the stories are still echoing.

What’s next? ReelOn Season 2
Yes, we’re coming back. Bigger. Bolder. Even more creative. Keep watching onmanorama.com and follow us on Instagram for updates, behind-the-scenes features, and your next chance to hit record.