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{{BLP sources|date=February 2026}}
{{Short description|Indian documentary filmmaker and film critic}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Joshy Joseph
| birth_date = 29 April 1962
| birth_place = Kochi
| image =
| parents =
|spouse = Bency (wife)<ref name="Mathrubhumi Books"/>
| children = son
| occupation = [[documentary filmmaker]], [[Film criticism|film critic]]
|years active = 1980s-present
| alma_mater =
| website = }}
'''Joshy Joseph''' is an Indian [[documentary filmmaker]] and [[Film criticism|film critic]] who has been active since the 1980s. He has won seven [[National Film Awards|national film awards]], including one for [[National Film Award for Best Film Critic|best film critic]]. Based in [[Kolkata]], Joseph heads the [[Films Division of India|Films Division]], Eastern Region, where he oversees documentary film production and related activities.<ref name="filmsdivision">{{Cite news|title=Citizen's Charter|url=https://filmsdivision.nfdcindia.com/citizens-charter.html|publisher=Films Division / NFDC India|date=18 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="Discursive">{{Cite news|title=Working Inside/Out Films Division: The Discursive Documentary Practices of Joshy Joseph
|author=Rajesh James |url=https://imphalreviews.in/working-inside-out-films-division-the-discursive-documentary-practices-of-joshy-joseph/|publisher=Imphal Review of Arts and Politics |date=3 March 2024}}</ref><ref name="Awards">{{Cite news|title=Joshy Joseph | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Joshy-Joseph/awards|publisher=Times of India|date=18 October 2025}}</ref>

Some of Joseph's notable works focus on the cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and political issues of India's [[Northeast India|northeastern states]], apart from [[Bengal]] and [[Odisha]]. These include ''And the Bamboo Blooms'' (1999), ''Wearing the Face'' (2000), ''One Day from a Hangman's Life'' (2005), ''Journeying with Mahasweta Devi'' (2009), ''With Quietude to Nirad'' (2015), and ''Laparoscopic Cinemascapes'' (2022).<ref name="Discursive"/>

Joseph has made multiple documentaries on the late Bengali writer and activist [[Mahasweta Devi]], based on his association with her from around 2004 until her death in 2016. These include ''Journeying with Mahasweta Devi'' (2009) and ''Mahasweta Devi – Close Up'' (2010).

==Early life and career==
Hailing from [[Kadamakkudy Islands|Kadamakkudy]], an island cluster about 15 km from [[Kochi]], Joshy Joseph attended the city's [[St. Albert's College]] and [[Union Christian College, Aluva|Union Christian College]], [[Aluva]]. He was an avid filmgoer during his college days. He aspired to join the [[Film and Television Institute of India]] (FTII) but did not clear the interview stage. However, he remained hopeful, and soon his writing skills earned him a position as a language translator at the Films Division in the 1980s. This job took him to [[Mumbai]].{{fact|date=March 2026}}

While working as a translator at the Films Division, Joseph also developed film scripts, some of which were initially rejected.{{fact|date=March 2026}}

Around 1996, he moved to Kolkata on promotion. While in Kolkata, he began to bring more commitment and focus to the craft of documentary filmmaking.{{fact|date=March 2026}}

''Streamlining Public Sector'' (1991) was one of his earliest documentaries for Films Division. Since then, he has directed more than 30 documentaries and experimental films, in addition to two feature films. He also worked as an assistant director on [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]]'s ''[[Kathapurushan]]'' (1995).<ref name="FilmGrant">{{Cite news|title=Kerala's film grant for emerging talent: Allegations of corruption and call for project reform| author= V.K. Cherian|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/features/specials/keralas-film-grant-for-emerging-talent-allegations-of-corruption-and-call-for-project-reform-b5u0bvy0|publisher=Mathrubhumi|date=1 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="Mathrubhumi Books">{{Cite news|title=Joshy Joseph – Mathrubhumi Books| url=https://www.mbibooks.com/writer/joshy-joseph/ |publisher=MBI Books|date=17 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="KolkataTrilogy">{{Cite news|title=Joshy Joseph – Malayali with a Kolkata Trilogy|author=Shoma A. Chatterji |url=https://www.getbengal.com/details/joshy-joseph-the-malayali-with-a-kolkata-trilogy|publisher=MBI Books|date=4 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="filmsdivision"/>

Besides working with the Films Division, Joseph has directed films for independent producers, such as Drik India, a photographic [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]]. Notably, he produced the documentary ''One Day from a Hangman's Life'' (2005), which was backed by Drik India.<ref>{{Cite news|title=One Day from a Hangman's Life|url=https://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/play/50438/one-day-from-a-hangman-s-life|publisher=Culture Unplugged|date=18 October 2025}}</ref> He has also self-produced films, once using money his father had given him for the purchase of a new house.<ref name="Discursive"/><ref name="KolkataTrilogy"/>

Though essentially a filmmaker, Joseph also provides thoughtful analyses and discussions on the medium of cinema as a film critic. His contributions in this field have earned him the [[National Film Award for Best Film Critic]]. He is the author of books in [[Malayalam]], including ''Kolkata Cocktail'' (2010) and ''Mahasweta Deviyodoppam - transl.: With Mahasweta Devi'' - (2012)<ref name="Mathrubhumi Books"/><ref name="SIFCCY">{{Cite news|title=We are honored to be a part of the distinguished film critics circle of India|url=https://www.facebook.com/siffcy/posts/we-are-honoured-to-be-a-part-of-the-distinguished-film-critics-circle-of-india-a/979513923541948/|publisher=SIFCCY|date=28 March 2024}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
{{BLP sources|section|date=October 2025}}
*''Sarang: Symphony in Cacophony'' (1997) - [[National Film Award for Best Promotional Film]]
*''N. M. No. 367 – Sentence of Silence'' (1998) - [[National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film on Family Welfare]]
*''Status Quo'' (1999) - ASS- ASS - I- NATION - Selected for screening at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2000<ref name="IFFI">{{Cite news|title=IFFI to open with Karunam|author=Onkar Singh |url=https://m.rediff.com/news/1999/nov/15ff.htm|publisher=Rediff |date=15 November 1999}}</ref>
*''Wearing the Face'' (2000) - [[National Film Award for Best Investigative Film]]
*''A Poet, A City & A Footballer'' (2014) - [[ National Film Award %E2%80%93 Special Jury Award (non-feature film)|National Film Award - Special Jury Award (Non-Feature Film)]]
*''And The Bamboo Blooms'' (1999) - [[National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Environment/Conservation/Preservation Film]]
*[[National Film Award for Best Film Critic]] (2010)

==Filmography==
'''As director''' - ''documentaries''
*''Streamlining Public Sector'' (1991)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Wheels of Change|url=https://filmsdivision.nfdcindia.com/shop/nm0297-wheels-of-change|publisher=Films Division / NFDC India |date=17 October 2015}}</ref>
*[[National Film Award for Best Promotional Film|''Sarang: Symphony in Cacophony'']] (1998)
*''Sentence of Silence'' (1999)<ref name="Discursive"/>
*''Status Quo'' (1999) - ASS- ASS - I- NATION<ref name="IFFI"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Status Quo|url=https://filmsdivision.nfdcindia.com/shop/status-quo|publisher=Films Division / NFDC India|date=17 October 2025}}</ref>
*''Wearing the Face'' (2000)<ref name="Discursive"/><ref>{{Cite video|title=Journey of an Indian Farmer (2004)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VYA9BmXCnQ|publisher=MS Banesh|date=15 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=One Day In the Life Of a Hangman|url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/9/11018/One-Day-In-the-Life-Of-a-Hangman|publisher=The Citizen|date=16 June 2017}}</ref>
*''One Day from a Hangman's Life'' (2005)<ref name="KolkataTrilogy"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Watch: In documentary from 2005, the story of another rape case and another hangman|author=Malavika Neurekar|url=https://scroll.in/reel/955933/in-documentary-from-2005-the-story-of-another-rape-case-and-another-hangman|publisher=Scroll|date=16 March 2020}}</ref>
*''Walking Dead'' (2007)<ref>{{Cite news|title=My Death Certificate: A Powerful Short Film|author=Shoma A. Chatterji |url=https://www.thecitizen.in/life/my-death-certificate-a-powerful-short-film-1041136 |publisher=The Citizen|date=19 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="KolkataTrilogy"/>
*''Making the Face'' (2007) – with Suvendu Chatterjee<ref>{{Cite news|title=Making the Face|url=https://www.nearchive.in/neiavavideos-1/making-the-face|publisher=NearArchive |date=17 October 2025}}</ref>
*''Journeying with Mahasweta Devi'' (2009)<ref>{{Cite news|author=Shoma A. Chatterji|title=A free spirit on celluloid |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090405/spectrum/main3.htm|publisher=Tribune India |date=5 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Remembering Mahasweta Devi, the Voice of the People|author=Gladwin Emmanuel| url=https://thefederal.com/features/remembering-mahasweta-devi-the-voice-of-the-people|publisher=The Federal |date=31 July 2021}}</ref>
*''Mahasweta Devi: Close Up'' (2010)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Through the looking glass|author=Shevlin Sebastian| url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2016/Nov/19/through-the-looking-glass-1539762.html|publisher=The New Indian Express|date=17 October 2025}}</ref>
*''Barag and Babu Bilous''
*''Center for Silence''
*''Waiting the Face''<ref>{{Cite news|title=Joshy Joseph felicitated|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2011/Sep/15/joshy-joseph-felicitated-291264.html| publisher=The New Indian Express|date=16 May 2012}}</ref>
*''Song of Marbles'' (2015) - Curated by Joshy Joseph
*''Untitled'' (2015) - Curated by Joshy Joseph
*''A Misty Voyage'' (2015) - Curated by Joshy Joseph
*''Anungla'' (2015) - Curated by Joshy Joseph<ref>{{Cite news|title=Telling tales from the Northeast|author=Shoma Chatterji | url=https://indiatogether.org/telling-tales-from-the-northeast-media|publisher=IndiaTogether|date=24 May 2016}}</ref>
*''A Poet, a City and a Footballer'' (2015)<ref name="KolkataTrilogy"/>
*''With Quietude to Nirad'' (2015)<ref name="Discursive"/>
*''Trees of Tongues in Tripura'' (2016)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Tree of Tongues in Tripura
|url=https://filmsdivision.nfdcindia.com/admin/the-fd-zone/tree-of-tongues-in-tripura.html|publisher=Films Division / NFDC India |date=18 October 2025}}</ref>
*''Echo from the Pukpui Skies'' (2020)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Echo From Pukpui Skies: Documentary Uncovers Unknown Mizo History|author=Shoma A. Chatterji
|url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/16/18293/Echo-From-Pukpui-Skies:-Documentary-Uncovers-Unknown-Mizo-History--|publisher=The Citizen|date=10 February 2020}}</ref>

'''As director''' - ''experimental films''
*''Mobile'' (2001)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Mrinal Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, Adoor Gopalakrishnan|author=Joshy Joseph
|url=https://countercurrents.org/2025/07/mrinal-sen-ritwik-ghatak-adoor-gopalakrishnan/|publisher=Counter Currents|date=8 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite video|title=Mobile- Short film by Joshy Joseph|author=Joshy Joseph|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvvc3FS8AgY|publisher=MS Banesh |date=24 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=One Day In the Life Of a Hangman|url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/9/11018/One-Day-In-the-Life-Of-a-Hangman|publisher=The Citizen|date=16 June 2017}}</ref>
*''Old Man and the Swan''(2015)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Idea of Justice to a journey for Justice at Imphal |author=Joshy Joseph|url=https://theaidem.com/idea-of-justice-to-a-journey-for-justice/|publisher=The Aidem|date=13 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite video|title=Old man & the swan - A haiku film |author=Joshy Joseph|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGhjRzId9tA|publisher=
MS Banesh|date=9 October 2021}}</ref>
*''Serendipity Cinema'' (2016)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Mahasweta's last glance was all about life: Filmmaker Joshy Joseph|author=Joshy Joseph| url=https://www.business-standard.com/amp/article/news-ians/mahasweta-s-last-glance-was-all-about-life-film-maker-joshy-joseph-116072801499_1.html |publisher=Business Standard|date=28 July 2016}}</ref>
*''Manipur Mindscapes'' (2021)<ref>{{Cite news|title=One Day In the Life Of a Hangman|author=Amrit Ganger|url=https://imphalreviews.in/manipur-mindscapes-a-films-division-film-with-a-difference-by-joshy-joseph/|publisher=Imphal Reviews|date=4 June 2022}}</ref>
*''Laparoscopic Cinemascapes'' (2022)<ref name="Discursive"/>
*''Mizo Soundscapes''(2020)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Film review: Mizo Soundscapes|author=Amrit Ganger|url=https://northeastfilmjournal.com/mizo-soundscapes|publisher=North East Film Journal|date=3 April 2023}}</ref>
*''Bonafide Bonfires''
*''Interpretations''
*''Masterstroke''

'''As cinematographer''' - ''documentary''
*''Echo from the Pukpui Skies'' (2020)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Echo From Pukpui Skies: Documentary Uncovers Unknown Mizo History|author=Shoma A. Chatterji
|url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/16/18293/Echo-From-Pukpui-Skies:-Documentary-Uncovers-Unknown-Mizo-History--|publisher=The Citizen|date=10 February 2020}}</ref>

'''As director/writer''' - ''feature film''
*''Imaginary Line'' (2002)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Film buffs create a festival of 'choice'|author=Ratnottama Sengupta
|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/film-buffs-create-a-festival-of-choice/articleshow/404617.cms|publisher=Times of India|date=5 January 2004}}</ref>
*Walking Over Water (2020)<ref name="KolkataTrilogy"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Kolkata Calling|author=Priya Sreekumar|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/040918/kolkata-calling.html|publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=3 September 2018}}</ref>

'''As assistant director''' – ''feature film''
*''Kathapurushan - The Man of the Story'' - (1995)<ref name="FilmGrant"/>

'''Books'''
*''Kolkata Cocktail'' (2010) by Joshy Joseph, Mathrubhumi Books.
*''Mahasweta Deviyodoppam'' (2012) — Translator: VM Girija. [[Malayalam]] translation of Joshy Joseph's screenplay ''Journeying with Mahasweta Devi'', Mathrubhumi Books.
*''Calcutta Films: A Joshy Joseph Trilogy'' (2022) by Vidyarthy Chatterjee, Cerebrum Books — Winner of the Chidananda Dasgupta Memorial Award for Best Writing on Cinema.<ref>{{Cite news|title=A cinephile, a city, and a filmmaker|author=C.S. Venkiteswaran|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/books/a-cinephile-a-city-and-a-film-maker-book-review-calcutta-films-a-joshy-joseph-trilogy-by-vidyarthy-chatterjee/article65646970.ece|publisher=Frontline|date=24 July 2022}}</ref><ref name="FilmGrant"/><ref name="Mathrubhumi Books"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Books by Author Joshy Joseph|url=https://keralabookstore.com/books-by/joshy-joseph/1934/|publisher=Kerala Book Store|date=18 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="SIFCCY"/>

==Community engagement and dialogue==
Joshy was the artistic director of the first edition of the Kadamakudy International Film Festival (KAIFF) held in August 2024. The festival was organized by the Kadamakudy Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, the [[Kerala State Chalachitra Academy]], and the Kadamakudy Grama panchayat. KAIFF aims to introduce the local community in the suburban village of [[Kadamakkudy Islands|Kadamakudy]] to alternative cinema while promoting village tourism.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Kochi's Kadamakudy hosts a three-day international film festival|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/kochis-kadamakudy-hosts-a-three-day-international-film-festival|publisher=The News Minute |date=10 August 2024}}</ref>

==Public stance and activism==
Joseph was one of 46 writers, filmmakers, artists, and public figures who issued a statement in April 2024 condemning certain Christian churches for screening the propaganda film ''[[The Kerala Story]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|title='Church Must Not Fall Prey to Vulgar Propaganda'|url=https://thewire.in/communalism/church-must-not-fall-prey-to-vulgar-propaganda|publisher=The Wire|date=12 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title='Kerala story' screenings are 'misguided propaganda:' Intellectuals appeal for interfaith co-existence|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Apr/12/kerala-story-screenings-are-misguided-propaganda-intellectuals-appeal-for-interfaith-co-existence|publisher=The New Indian Express|date=12 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Idukki diocese screens The Kerala Story for catechism students|author=Sandeep Vellaram| url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/idukki-diocese-screens-kerala-story-for-catechism-students/article68039891.ece|publisher=The Hindu|date=8 April 2024}}</ref>

In August 2024, Joseph affirmed his support for Bengali actor [[Sreelekha Mitra]]'s allegations of misconduct against a [[Malayalam]] film director.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ready to confront power groups to uphold testimony against Ranjith: Joshy Joseph |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2024/08/25/ready-confront-power-groups-uphold-testimony-against-sreelekha-mitra-johny-joseph-thilakan-hema-commission-report-ranjith-resignation.html|publisher=OnManorama|date=25 August 2024}}</ref>

==Personal==
Joseph's family includes his wife Bency and son.<ref name="Mathrubhumi Books"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=One Day In the Life Of a Hangman|url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/9/11018/One-Day-In-the-Life-Of-a-Hangman|publisher=The Citizen|date=16 June 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{imdb name|nm7476248}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Joseph, Joshy}}
[[Category:Indian documentary filmmakers]]
[[Category:Indian experimental filmmakers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian people]]
[[Category:Film directors from Kerala]]
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Indian film critics]]
[[Category:People from Kochi]]
[[Category:Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Writers from Kerala]]

Joshy Joseph - Revision history

MarcyThompson89 at 05:56, 2 May 2026