Joseph Chellaiya Daniel (26 February 1900 – 27 April 1975) was an Indian filmmaker, widely recognised as the "father of Malayalam cinema". He was the first filmmaker from Kerala. He produced, directed, wrote, photographed, edited and starred in Vigathakumaran (The Lost Child, 1928 or 1930), the first Malayalam feature film, made in Kerala. He also established the first film studio in Kerala, Travancore National Pictures. In 1992, the Government of Kerala instituted the J. C. Daniel Award, the highest honour in Malayalam cinema, as part of the Kerala State Film Awards, in recognition of his contributions to the industry.