Posted by International Film Festival of Shimla on Monday, October 8, 2018
Ritanjali Hastir, Associate Editor, 3rd September, 2018, Shimla
The Shimla International Film Festival kick stared today with its successful 4th edition at the historic Gaiety Theater. The festival is a unique venture in India and is being organized by the Himalayan Velocity in collaboration with Department of Language & Culture (LAC), Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Government of Himachal Pradesh as part of its endeavor to catalyze a vibrant Documentary, Short film, Animation and Music videos movement.
The festival has lured in some of the most talented filmmakers from around the world. Films of international repute are competing in different categories, including Best Documentary, Best Short Fiction (below 40 minutes), Best Feature Film, Best Animation (below 30 Minutes) and Best Music Video (7 minutes or less).
While speaking on the inauguration ceremony Festival Director Pushp Raj Thakur said, “With the successful completion of three editions of International Film Festival of Shimla, we are happy and proud to announce the 4th International Film Festival of Shimla “IFFS 2018″. The Festival will include Film Screenings and Competitions for Short, Feature, Documentary, Animation, Music Videos, Master Classes and Workshops on Film Making.”
“Increasing accessibility and affordability of media technology has led to a boom in the production and scope of films. The media is now used by image-makers from all walks of life to express, experiment, learn and as an effective tool to communicate and bring about social change. The mission of this film festival is to showcase the world’s best cinema and develop a taste for good cinema among the youth and to provide a platform for the Independent Filmmakers and to promote Himachali Cinema”, he added further.
V.S. Kundu, chief guest for the occasion, said that it is important for us to leave a legacy behind for the coming generations and films are a medium that can easily target the masses. Due to over exposure to internet and other technologies children are gathering information without any scanner and hence fail to differentiate the reality. Films are the best possible way to give them an opportunity to record the events as they are in our culture rather than get translated or edited version which may or may not be true.
A variety of international, national and local films will be screened during the three-day Film Fest. For the first time, the special screening of films will be held for inmates of Model Central Jail, Kanda with the aim to nurture the creativity of prisoners. By promoting such activities and involving the jail inmates with the world outside, the IFFS intends to motivate the prisoners, who are struggling to find a place in this world again.
This time, the festival is also organising an exclusive national level competition for all the above-mentioned categories. Apart from the awards, you can also go for special film screenings, especially because this year’s schedule boasts of engrossing works of art from countries as diverse as Iran, Turkey, the USA, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Poland, Israel, and of course from a number of states in India.
An important aspect of the Film Fest is that noted and award winning Directors will conduct Master Classes for Film buffs and enthusiasts. A special Class will be held on 13th October, for Shimla School Students, wherein more that 65 students will participate from 10 different school. A great opportunity for them to learn the art of film making and experience what goes behind the scenes as well.
