The Karnataka State Film Awards 1980–81 is presented by Government of Karnataka, to felicitate the best of Kannada Cinema released in the year 1980.
Film Awards
edit| Name of Award | Film | Producer | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Best Film | Ranganayaki | B. Thimmanna | S. R. Puttanna Kanagal |
| Second Best Film | Mooru Darigalu | N. S. Devi Prasad | Girish Kasaravalli |
| Third Best Film | Sangeetha | Wheel Productions | Chandrashekhara Kambara |
Other Awards
edit| Name of Award | Film | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Best Direction | Ranganayaki | S. R. Puttanna Kanagal |
| Best Actor | Sri Raghavendra Vaibhava | Srinath |
| Best Actress | Ranganayaki | Aarathi |
| Best Supporting Actor | Ranganayaki | Ramakrishna |
| Best Supporting Actress | Sangeetha | Pramila Joshai |
| Best Child Actor | Rama Lakshmana | Master Sathyaprakash |
| Best Music Direction | Sangeetha | Chandrashekhara Kambara |
| Best Cinematography | • Mareyada Haadu • Mooru Darigalu |
• R. N. K. Prasad • S. R. Bhat |
| Best Editing | Mooru Darigalu | Suresh Urs |
| Best Sound Recording | Hanthakana Sanchu | A. Govinda Swamy |
| Best Story Writer | Sangeetha | Chandrashekhara Kambara |
| Best Screenplay | Mooru Darigalu | Girish Kasaravalli |
| Best Dialogue Writer | Sangeetha | Chandrashekhara Kambara |