While the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has proscribed the screening of student films at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) has gone all out to showcase a rich variety of films made by students.
With students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) still at loggerheads with the Ministry over the contentious appointment of actor-turned-BJP member Gajendra Chauhan as FTII Chairman, the latter had instructed the Directorate of Film Festival (DFF) to drop the students’ package, for the first time in several years, to forestall trouble from the students at the IFFI.
However, the 14 edition of PIFF is embracing student filmmakers with the Volkswagen International Student Film competition (live action and animation) as part of its package.
The theme this year is ‘Sports and Cinema: bringing the world together’. It was chosen to underscore harmony between countries at a time when global terrorism is raging.
The festival, organised jointly by the Pune Film Foundation and the Maharashtra government will be held between January 14 and 21.
“More than 200 films from different countries will be showcased,” said Dr. Jabbar Patel, veteran filmmaker and Chairman-Director of PIFF. New categories have been included in the festival including Asian Cinema and a segment called ‘Changing Maharashtra’, a short-film competition.
But the students’ package will be the highlight of this edition of PIFF with the organisers stating that they have received more than 206 applications in live action and 55 in the animation category from students across the globe.
“This is a festival of, by and for students,” said Ravi Gupta, Secretary of PIFF.
The competition will also feature 13 films by students, whose work had been banned from being screened at the IFFI last month. The names of these institutes where the students are studying have been kept under wraps.
“PIFF is probably the only prominent festival in India with a dedicated section for students’ films and it is wonderful that they have decided to introduce the competition category this year,” said Sandip Chatterjee, Professor of Direction at FTII.
PIFF is also collaborating with the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT), Symbiosis International University, the Bharati Vidyapeeth University, DSK Supinfocom Animation Institute and the Savitribai Phule Pune University to facilitate the festival. “Students will not only be present as delegates but will also be intimately associated with the working of the festival,” said Dr. Patel.
The Best Film award will carry a cash price of $1,000. The will also be awards for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematographer and Best Audiographer, each with a cash prize of $500. The Best Animation Film (India) and Best Animation Film (International) will be awarded $1,000 each.
The Rs. 25,000 PIFF Special Award will be given to a final year student (direction) from FTII.
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