The Indo-Dutch Research Centre on Climate Change Law Research and Education (IDRC) is inviting student teams from across Kerala to participate in the “Filmography and Policy Analysis Competition 2026”, themed “Frame the Future: Youth on Climate Resilient Kerala.”
About the Organisation
The Indo-Dutch Research Centre on Climate Change Law Research and Education is a collaborative initiative between the Van Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance, and Society (VVI), Leiden University, The Netherlands, and Government Law College Ernakulam, the first law college in Kerala, established in 1874. The Centre works to advance research, education, and policy dialogue on climate change law through Indo-Dutch academic collaboration.
About the Competition
Inspired by coastal resilience and community narratives, the competition invites student teams to step out of the classroom, engage with real communities, and produce two deliverables: a short documentary film and a policy analysis report on a chosen climate-resilience topic. Qualifying teams will present their work at a public screening and prize ceremony, with winning policy briefs to be formally presented to a government representative.
Themes / Topics
Teams must select one of the following topics:
- Coastal erosion and fisherfolk communities: are current laws protecting them?
- Kuttanad, living below sea level: what does climate resilience look like here?
- Flood preparedness: has Kerala truly changed since 2018?
- Urban wetlands: how are Kerala’s cities treating their water bodies?
- Women and climate: how are Kerala’s women-led communities responding?
- Farming in a changing climate: what are farmers doing and does policy support them?
- Forest communities and biodiversity: Wayanad and beyond.
- Waste and the city: solid waste management and community responsibility.
- Green building and urban growth: is Kerala’s construction boom climate-smart?
- Climate migration: are people already moving, and does anyone have a plan?
Eligibility
- Teams of 2 to 5 students.
- Open to students from any college or university in Kerala, across all disciplines (law, environmental science, social work, journalism, film, economics, public policy, and more).
- More than one team may register from the same college.
- Students must be currently enrolled.
- Cross-disciplinary teams are strongly encouraged.
- Technical editing assistance is permitted but must be declared in writing at submission; all research, interviews, storytelling, and analysis must be original work of the student team.
Deliverables
1. Documentary Film (max. 15 minutes) A short documentary exploring the chosen topic through real, unscripted interviews and field footage, with a tying voiceover narrative and balanced storytelling. Format: MP4, minimum 1080p; Malayalam and/or English (English subtitles mandatory for non-English content); must include opening title card and closing credits.
2. Policy Analysis Report (3,000–5,000 words) A structured legal and policy analysis covering: Executive Summary, Introduction & Topic Overview, Current Laws & Policies, Community Reality, Gap Analysis, Recommendations, and “The Dutch Connection” (lessons Kerala can learn from, or offer to, the Netherlands), along with a bibliography and annexures (interview transcripts and signed consent forms). Format: PDF; Times New Roman/Georgia, 12pt; 1.5 line spacing; 2.5cm margins; Harvard or OSCOLA citation style; English (Malayalam quotes must include English translation).
Judging Criteria
Documentary Film: authenticity of community engagement, strength of storytelling, balance and honesty, relevance to theme, presentation quality.
Policy Analysis Report: depth of legal/policy research, quality of gap analysis, practicality of recommendations, integration of fieldwork with analysis, engagement with the Dutch Connection, and clarity of writing.
Prizes
Total Prize Pool: Rs. 1,00,000 (plus other prizes), distributed across 8 categories:
| Award | Amount |
|---|---|
| Best Documentary Film – 1st Place | Rs. 20,000 |
| Best Documentary Film – 2nd Place | Rs. 12,000 |
| Best Documentary Film – 3rd Place | Rs. 8,000 |
| Best Policy Analysis Report – 1st Place | Rs. 20,000 |
| Best Policy Analysis Report – 2nd Place | Rs. 12,000 |
| Best Policy Analysis Report – 3rd Place | Rs. 8,000 |
| Most Impactful Community Story (Jury Special Award) | Rs. 10,000 |
| Most Innovative Approach (Jury Special Award) | Rs. 10,000 |
Prizes are awarded to the team and shared equally among team members.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline (Extended) | 30th July 2026 |
| Fieldwork, Filming, Interviews & Report Writing | August – September 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | 15th October 2026 |
| Jury Evaluation | November 2026 |
| Grand Finale (Screening, Presentations & Prize Ceremony) | 19th December 2026 |
Registration
- Registration Link: https://forms.gle/QtAZ8Mcew3AC7NKF8
- Registration Fee: Rs. 1,000
Account Details for Payment:
- Account Name: Indo-Dutch Research Centre
- Account No.: 13750200046139
- IFSC: FDRL0001375
- Account Type: Current
Contact
Faculty Coordinators
- Dr. Dayana MK, Associate Professor, Government Law College, Ernakulam
- Dr. Rhea Roy Mammen, Lecturer, VVI, Faculty of Law, Leiden University
Student Coordinators
- Aparna C T – +91 77368 37796
- Theresa Jobin – +91 8590193020
- Madhavan R Vijayan – +91 7907272949
For clarifications, write to: indodutch.centre@gmail.com. Website: https://idrc.jusfocus.com
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