The first Chitra Bharati Film Festival was organized in Indore (Madhya Pradesh) from 26th to 28th February, 2016 at Takshashila Campus of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore. In spite of having a short span of time for preparation, we were able to mark our presence across the nation. It had received 309 entries from 8 states of India. The entries comprised of Short Films, Documentary Films, Animation Films & Campus Films from both mature & amateur participants.

Before the festival, five one day Film Appreciation Courses were organized in the month of January / February 2016 at Indore, Bhopal, Raipur, Gwalior & Jabalpur. Eminent speakers & film personalities like Rajpal Yadav were resource persons for these courses.

The then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan had inaugurated the Festival on 26th Feb. while Hon. Minister for Urban Development of MP Shri Kailash Vijayvergiya was the chief guest for closing ceremony on 28th Feb. Film personalities like Madhur Bhandarkar, Rahul Rawail, Vivek Agnihotri, Manoj Joshi, Mukesh Tiwari, Sudipto Sen etc. were the guests of honour. They had also participated in the “Open Forum” held in the afternoon every day along with the budding young directors. The large enthusiastic crowed kept the auditoriums and the forums bustling with energy.

The winners of this Festival were: