# Christo Tomy

Christo Tomy is an Indian filmmaker known for his impactful work in both short films and feature films. He is a two-time National Film Award winning director. In 2016, he won the Swarna Kamal for Best Director (non-feature film) for his short film Kamuki (Sweetheart). He also won the National Award for Debut Director in the non-feature category for his short film Kanyaka (Virgin).

## Early life and education

Christo Tomy is an alumnus of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata and Sainik School Kazhakootam, Kerala.

## Career and achievements
### National Film Awards

Christo Tomy gained national recognition with his short films, which have won him two National Film Awards. In 2016, he won the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) for Best Director for his short film Kamuki (Sweetheart). His debut short film Kanyaka (Virgin) earned him the National Award for Best Debut Director in the non-feature category, receiving the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus). Kanyaka was also screened at the 44th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.

### Jury member

In recognition of his expertise and contributions to Indian cinema, he served as a member of the jury for the non-feature films at the 65th National Film Awards.

## Notable works
### Short films and documentaries

Christo Tomy's first notable short film was Kanyaka (2013), which earned him a National Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director. He directed Odvojen in 2014. His next short film, Kamuki (2015), was showcased at various international film festivals and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Direction. His work is known for its depth, creativity, and emotional resonance.

### Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case

In 2023, Christo Tomy directed the Netflix documentary Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case. This documentary, based on the Koodathayi cyanide killings, achieved significant acclaim. The show reached the Global Top #2 position and remained in the Global Top Ten for three consecutive weeks. It amassed over 10 million views worldwide within three weeks of its release and featured in the Top Ten lists of more than 30 countries.

### Ullozhukku

Christo Tomy's first feature film Ullozhukku (Undercurrent) was released in 2024 to positive reviews. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Honey Trehan, and Abhishek Chaubey, the film stars Parvathy Thiruvothu, Urvashi, and Arjun Radhakrishnan. Ullozhukku has been part of several prestigious programs, including the Film Independent's Global Media Makers LA Residency, the NFDC Co-Production Market - Film Bazaar, and the NFDC Screenwriters Lab. The project won the Cinestaan India's Storytellers Script Contest, India's largest feature film script contest, judged by eminent filmmakers Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Hirani, Anjum Rajabali, and Juhi Chaturvedi.

## Filmography
### Feature films

| Year | Title | Written by | Notes |
| 2024 | Ullozhukku | Himself | Debut film |

### Documentaries and short films

| Year | Title | Written by |
| 2013 | Kanyaka (Virgin) | Himself |
| 2014 | Odvojen (Apart) | Himself |
| 2015 | Kamuki (Sweetheart) | Himself |
| 2019 | Dallas | Himself |
| 2020 | A Window of Time - Lockdown Diaries | Himself (among others) |
| 2023 | Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case | Shalini Ushadevi |

### Musical videos

| Year | Title | Written by | Notes |
| 2014 | You are Rot | Himself | |
| 2014 | Madakkam (Return) | Himself | |

## Awards and accolades

| Award | Year | Work | Citation |
| National Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director | 2013 | Kanyaka (Virgin) | "For its wholly convincing mise-en-scene set in a convent run by Malayali nuns, wherein the grief and guilt of the young protagonist is presented in a manner that leaves a lot to the imagination of the viewer." |
| Best music video award at the 7th International Short Film & Documentary Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK). | 2014 | You are Rot | |
| National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Direction | 2015 | Kamuki (Sweetheart) | "A sensitive portrayal of a young woman's determination to uphold her dignity against odds." |