GECs
ZIMA certifies first batch of ‘SMOKE’ students
Even as the next six batches are underway, Zee Institute of Media Arts (ZIMA) along with Autodesk Media and Entertainment certified its first batch of students trained on the Autodesk Discreet SMOKE system. A first of its kind in the industry, the SMOKE course was launched in October 2005 at ZIMA and has received tremendous feedback from the industry. The first batch consisted of five students who received their certificates from Autodesk Media and Entertainment, Montreal. SMOKE is Autodesk Media and Entertainment’s high-end online editing and finishing system and the ZIMA course is aimed at professionals currently employed with the TV and film industries and are looking to enhance their career prospects.
“It is extremely gratifying for Autodesk Media and Entertainment to witness the first batch of professionally trained SMOKE artists graduating from ZIMA. The feedback from the students has been extremely positive and the course has helped them to enhance their career prospects within the industry. I wish the students the best of luck in their future endeavours and hope that the knowledge that they have gained here, will help them to convert their creative ideas into reality.” – Mr. Pankaj Kedia Regional Manager, South East Asia & India Autodesk Media and Entertainment.
“The industry feedback to the course has been very encouraging. We started with a single batch of five students. The second round of enrollments includes six batches and a total of about 25 students. I believe that this is a clear indicator of the comprehensiveness of the course as well as the demand for skilled talent in the industry. The Autodesk Discreet Smoke is the industry standard in editing and therefore it greatly compliments our existing courses in editing and film technologies.” – Mr. S Mukundan, Sr. Vice President (Products), Zee Interactive Learning Systems.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
