Film directors, documentary filmmakers, storytellers and feature filmmakers from different parts of the country congregated here last week to exchange views on films and allied subjects during the one-day Orissa International Film Festival.
The event organised by the Indian Filmmakers Association featured films from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bengal and Odisha. Over 200 films got awards.
A documentary filmmaker, Samarendra Raut, told The Telegraph: “Odisha was once acclaimed for the quality of films like Malajanha, Kaa, Klanta Aparahna, Maya Miriga and many more. But now the Odia film industry is struggling. The International Film Festival in Odisha was organised at the Temple City to encourage short films, parallel and commercial, as well as the documentary makers of the state and people thriving on cinema.”
One of the main attractions for young budding filmmakers was the presence of award-winning international documentary maker and journalist Gopal Menon, who won the Best Short Film Director award for his short film Madithattu, In The Lap.
The short film has already been selected for 10 international film festivals and won four awards. Madithattu is a 35-minute short film in Malayalam about sexual violence faced by girls with intellectual disabilities.
“This film festival is so unique that you have an enthusiastic audience, true cinephiles, real festival participants and great discussions,” said Menon, adding that he would soon come up with feature films, one of which is in the pre-production stage, which would have an impact on society.
Menon added: “Beyond the passion for films, for me films are a medium to reach my politics to people. For me, art and politics are not two different entities.”
Satyanarayan, who hails from Hyderabad, won an award for his biopic film Maha Maneeshi Dr A.S. Rao. “This platform gives a golden opportunity to young budding talent to learn about filmmaking. Such film festivals are organised regularly so that a lot of thoughts and ideas can be exchanged.”
