Driven by The Indian Express Group’s journalism-first ethos, the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 honours are anchored in integrity and merit. The nominees and subsequently the winners are decided by the Screen Academy, an independent, not-for-profit body (founding patron Lodha Foundation and supported by Tafe) that comprises over 50 acclaimed film-makers and cultural voices.
The Screen Academy’s aim is to foster cultural excellence in cinema and entertainment. The Screen Academy selects passionate film students across the country and awards them film school scholarships and connects them to Screen Academy’s members by way of Masterclasses and mentorship programs. Academy members are also tasked with the job of selecting the nominees and winners of the annual Chetak Screen Awards.
