The National Road Safety Short Film Festival 2023, organized by the Transport Department of the Odisha government, has attracted 247 entries from across the country. Filmmakers, amateur enthusiasts, and students from seven states submitted entries in various formats and languages, including Odia, Hindi, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, and English. Notably, entries from tribal areas include films in Santhali. The winners of the festival will be selected by a panel of judges comprising film industry professionals and non-industry professionals and luminaries from different walks of life.

The shortlisted films will be screened at Berhampur on December 1, in Sambalpur on December 4 and in Angul on December 7. The grand finale of the festival will be held in Bhubaneswar on December 12. The festival aims at promoting awareness about road safety and increasing engagement in road safety in the state as well as across the nation to reduce accidents and fatalities. The best film in both Odia and non-Odia categories will get a cash award of Rs 1 lakh, while first runner-up will get Rs 80,000 and the second runner-up Rs 60,000. The best director, best music, cinematography and best actor/actress will get Rs 25,000 each in both the categories.