In the time of digital media, virtually anyone with artistic sensibilities can shoot a film. To open up opportunities for aspiring filmmakers and to showcase some quality films, the not-for-profit organisation Prayog Malad, has organised a three-day-long festival of short films—Filmingo, which will have its first edition from November 4 to 6. Screenings will include entries from across the world as well as selections of short films, which made it to Cannes and the crème de la crème of FTII short films.
“Our 54 films for the competition include entries from all over India, as well as a number of international entries from countries like Iran, France, Turkey and Canada,” says Preshit Deorukhkar, one of the organisers of the fest. “There are nine international entries in all, and even among the Indian films, we have entries from Karnataka, West Bengal, Assam and other regions,” he adds.
The films are diverse, not only in terms of the geographical locations of the filmmakers, but also the amount of experience they have. “We have a number of debutants here, as well as professional films, which have been screened at previous festivals,” explains Preshit. “However, I think that quite a few debutants have done an amazing job this year,” he adds.
Preshit names Who Dies, (a film about a Kashmiri militant and an army official who find shelter in the same house after getting injured), The School Bag, (a film about the Pakistan school bombing) and Annadata, (which depicts the life of an impoverished farmer), as a few of his favourites. “Since we didn’t have limitations in terms of theme or language, visitors will definitely get to see quite a variety of films,” says Preshit.
The Filmingo Festival will take place from November 3 to 5, 10 am onwards, At Ravindra Natya Mandir, Ground Floor, PL Deshpande Auditorium, Sayani Road, Prabhadevi
