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Tag: documentary

  • COCOA-NOMICS: A CNN FREEDOM PROJECT DOCUMENTARY

    COCOA-NOMICS: A CNN FREEDOM PROJECT DOCUMENTARY

    MUMBAI: Two years ago, CNN Freedom Project documentary ‘Chocolate’s Child Slaves’ exposed the plight of young Africans forced to harvest the beans that make the chocolate we eat around the world. Many of the children made to work in the cocoa plantations in countries like Ivory Coast are forced to work long hours in appalling conditions, most have never even tasted chocolate. Cocoa-Nomics: A CNN Freedom Project Documentary premieres on CNN International on Saturday March 1 at 1930 IST.

     

    Now CNN host Richard Quest has returned to the plantations, with José Lopez, the Executive Vice President of Nestle, to find out if anything has changed and to see if chocolate producers are willing and able to eradicate slavery from their industry. Quest follows the supply chain, from bean to bar, examining the collective efforts to reform the cocoa industry – the fundamental socio-economic solutions needed to secure a sustainable future for cocoa farming and the chocolate industry.

     

    As the global demand for chocolate rises, so does the threat to the supply of cocoa; this is a pivotal time in the development of the cocoa economy in West Africa – for the industry, the next generation of cocoa farmers and for chocolate lovers.

     

    Premieres on CNN International on Saturday March 1 at 1930 IST

  • MIFF 2014 concludes amid much fanfare

    MIFF 2014 concludes amid much fanfare

    NEW DELHI: Are you listening by Kamar Ahmed Simon won the Golden Conch Award for best documentary film while Nishtha Jain with her Gulabi Gang was named best director at the recently concluded 13th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) for Documentary, short and animation films.

     

    Eminent filmmakers Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Shyam Benegal presented the awards as the curtains came down to the seven-day festival.

     

    Jury 1 comprised filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, film curator Angela Haardt from Germany, Director of the Yamagata Documentary Film Festival – Fujioka Asako of Japan, Slovenian film scholar Jurij Meden, and noted animator from Mumbai Shilpa Ranade.  Jury II comprised Canadian filmmaker Mark Achbar, film director and editor Amitabh Chakrabarty, film maker from Kerala M R Rajan, noted cinematographer Piyush Shah, and Netherlands based film scholar Rada Sesic.

     

    The 90-minute documentary by Simon won the award in the above 60-minutes category. It gets the Golden Conch trophy and Rs 500,000 cash prize (Rs 300,000 for the Director and Rs 200,000 for the producer – Sara Afreen). Set in the coastal belt of Bangladesh, the film is a powerful and beautifully photographed film that reveals the alarming effects of climate change and deftly captures the fighting spirit of a community and their will to survive. The global issue of climate change is experienced in microcosm in Simon’s film, as he observes the families of Sutarkhali.

     

    The Golden Conch for Best Documentary Film up to 60 minutes went to Maria Stodtmeier’s (Germany) In Between : Isang Yun in North and South Korea. This documentary explores whether music can overcome the boundaries of a divided country. It examines the worlds of North and South Korean music, taking the viewer along on an exciting journey through two political systems. It got the Golden Conch trophy and Rs 500,000 cash prize (Rs 300,000 for the Director and Rs 200,000 for the producer – Paul Smaczny).

     

    Black Rock directed by Vikrant Janardhan Pawar and produced by the Film and Television Institute of India was adjudged the Best Short Fiction film in International Competition. It got the Golden Conch trophy and Rs 500,000 cash prize (Rs 300,000 for the Director and Rs 200,000 for the producer – FTII).

     

    The Golden Conch Best Animation Film award went to True Love Story by Gitanjali Rao. This 18-minute animation set in the streets of Mumbai explores what happens when the ultimate Bollywood fantasy is applied in reality. It gives a glimpse into the influence of Bollywood on real life in Mumbai, told through puppet animation. The award carried a Golden Conch and Rs 500,000 cash prize.

     

    The film on Right to Information, Chakravyuh, by National Film award-winner Dhvani Desai was voted the most popular film, a new award chosen through voting by festival delegates. Chakravyuh through the struggles of four characters from different regions of India throws light on how the RTI can be used to fight corruption. The film produced by Films Division was first shown on 12 October 2013 on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of RTI in Mumbai.

     

    Nishtha Jain received Rs 100,000 cash award and a certificate got the Best Director Award in the International Competition section. Gulabi Gang tells the story of Sampat Pal and her group of women vigilantes and activists from Bundelkhand, who fight for women’s rights and their empowerment. Armed with a lathi (stick) the Gulabis visit abusive husbands and beat them up unless they stop abusing their wives. The film has won several other awards, and there are plans to release it in theatres on 21 February as part of PVR Director’s Rare initiative. Jain, an alumnus of FTII, is based in Mumbai.

     

    The Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari Award went to Mumbai based filmmaker Dylan Mohan Gray’s film Fire in the Blood for Best Debut Film of a Director. The 84-minute film tells the story of how Western pharmaceutical companies and governments blocked access to low-cost AIDS drugs for the countries of the global south in the years after 1996 – causing ten million or more unnecessary deaths – and the improbable group of people who decided to fight back. This award carrying a cash prize of Rs 100,000 and a Trophy has been instituted by the Maharashtra Film Development Corporation, Mumbai

     

    The Indian Documentary Producers Association Award for the best student film went to Sonyacha Amba (Golden Mango) directed by Govind Raju and produced by FTII, Pune. This film had participated in the Berlin and Beijing festivals as well. The Rs 100,000 cash and Trophy is given by the IDPA.

     

    The Pramod Pati Award for most Innovative film, carrying a cash prize of Rs 100,000 and a trophy went to Pushpa Rawat’s 57-minute documentary Nirnay (Decision). The film explores the lives of women in a lower middle class colony in Ghaziabad, who are young and educated, but feel bound and helpless when it comes to major decisions about their lives, be it career or marriage.

     

    The Kashmiri film Tamaash (The Puppets) got the Golden Conch for the best Short Fiction Film up to 45 minutes in the National Competition. Tamaash is the first film by directors Satyanshu and Devanshu Singh, who also wrote, edited, and produced it, along with Tulsea Pictures. The film insists on the power of goodness and the importance of preserving the innocence of children.  It had won the Golden Elephant Award at the International Children’s Film Festival held in Hyderabad during November 2013. Along with the Golden Conch, the filmmakers also get Rs 250,000 cash award.

     

    In the National Competition section, Seven Hundred Zero Zero Seven by Altaf Mazid got the Golden Conch for Best Documentary (upto 40 minutes), while Have You Seen the Arana by Sunanda Bhat and Invoking Justice by well-known Deepa Dhanraj shared the  Best Documentary Awards in above 40 minutes category.

  • Producers Forum, MIFF Hub to coincide with MIFF 2014 next month to help short filmmakers

    Producers Forum, MIFF Hub to coincide with MIFF 2014 next month to help short filmmakers

    NEW DELHI:  The cinephiles are in for a gala time as a Producers’ Forum will be held during the Mumbai International Film Festival of Documentary, Short and animation films for selected participants to interact in closed-group sessions with Festival Representatives, Funders, Distributors, Directors, Producers and other experts.

     

    The aim of the Forum, according to a Films Division spokesperson, will be to share their experiences and expertise with the funding, making and distributing of documentaries. The last date for the Producers’ Forum has been extended to 29 January. 

     

    Funding and distribution are considered among the major problems facing the documentary film segment, since theatre and private television channels are averse to showing these films. At present, only Doordarshan and NDTV show these films, and the cinema halls have refused to show the films despite an order of the Supreme Court relating to the Films Division.

     

    MIFF, commencing on 3 February, will also have a ‘MIFF HUB’ for the first time to provide a vibrant platform and meeting point for documentary filmmakers to network, interact and develop productive contacts with Global and Indian funders, broadcasters, distributors, co- producers and mentors. The Hub will be held on 6 February and will be about festival strategy, funding, modes of distribution and co-productions.

     

    MIFF delegates and attending filmmakers can register without any additional fee for the MIFF HUB with their film projects: in-development, under-production and completed films seeking distribution.  

     

    Meetings will be set up through pre-scheduled appointments or through Speed Dating for on-the-spot matchmaking. Registered film projects will be approved and accepted for discussion by attending international and Indian experts based on relevance to their role and organisation. 

     

    Registered Delegates at the MIFF HUB can also attend and gain insights from Round Table discussions and Group Mentorships on a first come basis.

     

    Applicants to the Producers Forum can write to miffproducersforum@gmail.com with the following details: Name, DOB, Address, Phone Number, Email, Company Name (if relevant), latest CV, list of documentaries directed or produced so far, reason for applying (no longer than 350 words).

     

    The Festival organised by the Films Division of the Information & Broadcasting Ministry will be held as usual at the NCPA, Mumbai, (also known as Tata Centre) from 3 to 9 February. The Government of Maharashtra and the Indian Documentary Producers’ Association (IDPA) are the partners of MIFF 2014.

     

    A total of 793 entries had been received from 34 countries for Festival. Of the entries, 588 are for the National Section and 205 for the International Section. 

     

    MIFF is the oldest and the largest international film festival for the non-feature and animation films in Asia, and is often held at par with internationally renowned short film festivals like Berlin, Leipzig, Krakow (Poland) and Tampere (Finland).

     

    The total number of awards for MIFF 2014 has gone up from 22 to 32. Apart from the regular awards, new awards have been introduced for producer, cinematographer, editor, sound recordist and animator. Awards for the most innovative film (named after Pramod Pati who was an experimental filmmaker and head of the Films Division) and most popular film of the festival have also been instituted.

     

    A veteran Indian documentary filmmaker will be honoured with the V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award. MIFF will distribute cash awards worth Rs. 55 lakhs apart from Golden Conches, trophies and certificates to the winners in different categories.

     

    MIFF 2014 will also see an increased international participation. As part of an initiative to take cinema to the students, Cinekids, Amsterdam and Lennep Media will hold a ‘Dutch Children’s film festival-cum-students film workshop’ for school children of Mumbai. ActionAid will hold a film festival on ‘Our City Ourselves’ as part of MIFF 2014. 

     

    An attempt is being made to hold a Film Market for documentary films, which will be a first of its kind initiative in India.

     

    In another new initiative, the Festival Directorate has decided to hold parallel screenings of national competition films in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Guwahati and Nagpur, for the benefit of documentary film lovers, who are unable to travel to Mumbai to participate in the festival.

     

    The festival will pay tribute to the acclaimed Canadian documentary filmmaker Peter Wintonick who passed away on 18 November 2013 by screening his select works. Besides, the festival will have panel discussions, directors’ adda, retrospectives, homages, curated film  packages, seminars, workshops and master classes to make MIFF-2014 a rich and wholesome experience for filmmakers, students and cinephiles. 

  • Sundance Institute receives $5 million grant from Open Society Foundations

    Sundance Institute receives $5 million grant from Open Society Foundations

    Park City, Utah: Innovative documentary films addressing some of the most important issues facing the world today received a boost with a $5 million grant to the Sundance Institute. Christopher Stone, president of the Open Society Foundations, announced the dollar-for-dollar matching grant at the Sundance Film Festival.

     

    “My foundations have long supported arts and culture-especially film-as a means to build and strengthen open societies around the world,” said George Soros, Founder and Chairman of the Open Society Foundations. “This support will help bring open society issues to a wider audience.”

     

    The Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program advances nonfiction storytelling on a broad range of contemporary social issues and provides leading support for independent documentary filmmakers worldwide. 

     

    The Open Society Foundations in 1996 launched the Documentary Film Program, which was made part of Sundance Institute in 2002.

     

    “Documentary films profoundly impact our culture; they challenge the traditional role of journalism by illuminating stories that inform, inspire and connect us as members of a global community, said Robert Redford, Founder and President of Sundance Institute. “The continued support from George Soros and the Open Society Foundations speaks to our shared belief in the value and power of documentary film.” 

     

    Through a suite of year-round programs including direct grants to filmmakers, Labs, creative and tactical resources, and a variety of partnerships and international initiatives, the program provides a unique, global resource for contemporary independent documentary film. 

     

     “The Open Society Foundations have long been one of the world’s leading supporters of those defending and promoting human rights,” said Chris Stone, President of the Open Society Foundations. “We believe that film can intensify conversations on rights, justice, and social ills.”

     

    For nearly three decades, Sundance Institute has promoted independent storytelling to inform and inspire audiences across political, social, religious and cultural differences. Through labs, funding, special projects with key partners and the Sundance Film Festival, the Institute serves as the leading advocate for independent artists worldwide. 

     

     “As the landscape of non-fiction storytelling continues to evolve, independent documentary filmmakers are increasingly exploring new forms and formats.” said Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute. “With the support of Open Society Foundations, Sundance Institute will continue to seek out and support inventive artists whose work pushes the boundaries of non-fiction story telling and whose stories redefine existing notions of human rights.” 

      

    Putnam added “Sundance is also committed to providing access to platforms for artists to creatively distribute their films and inspire and engage audiences around the world.” 

     

    The Open Society Foundations, founded by George Soros, works in more than 100 countries to promote vibrant and tolerant democracies. The original Documentary Film Program paved the way for numerous contributions to storytelling and impact around human rights issues, seeding films that appeared globally in festivals, conferences, on public broadcasting and on cable and other outlets internationally, reaching millions of viewers and mainstreaming the importance of human rights considerations into prevailing social discourse. Its very existence helped establish the emerging primacy of documentary film in galvanizing and consolidating interest and action around key human rights issues, proving to be a model for other funds and initiatives. 

  • Nat Geo presents ‘A Short Story of a Long Pipeline’

    Nat Geo presents ‘A Short Story of a Long Pipeline’

    MUMBAI: Have you ever found yourself intrigued by the ease with which you turn a knob on your stove and gas flows out? Ever felt curious about the origins of the fuel that you fill your car with, ever so often? Have you ever found yourself wondering about the lifeline of an entire nation? On 12th January 2014, National Geographic Channel, in association with Cairn India, will give you the opportunity to witness the realities of the fuel that drives our lives, on “A Short Story of a Long Pipeline”.

    A half-hour special documenting the resurrection of a jaw-dropping ~700 km long pipeline by Cairn India Limited, the film takes a look at the completion of the mammoth project that would be the resolution to the ultimate challenge faced by the biggest onshore oil discovery in India in the last 25 years. And while the engineers must put their skills to test in order to build a technological marvel that would have to ferry crude oil through the extreme weather of the Thar Desert, what makes the entire task even more daunting is that ~700 km of the line would make up the longest heated section of pipeline in the world.

    Speaking on the spirit of technology innovation that led to building this pipeline, Dr. Sunil Bharati, Head – Corporate Affairs and Communication, Cairn India, said, “Technological innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Cairn. This is aptly showcased by the technical ingenuity involved in building the world’s longest continuously heated and insulated pipeline – the Mangala Development Pipeline. The pipeline passes through two states and eight districts to transport precious crude oil from our Rajasthan block to various oil refineries, and in the process, brings the nation closer to its dream of attaining energy security. The Mangala Development Pipeline highlights Cairn India’s expertise in quick project delivery against all odds, apart from being the fastest growing energy company in the world.”

    Talking about the documentary, in light of the energy crisis, Ms. Debarpita Banerjee, Vice President, Marketing, National Geographic and FOX International Channels, said, “The global energy demands are on the rise and its impact shall be more on developing countries such as India. At a time like this, for Cairn India to have spearheaded the process of providing access to India’s monumental onshore oil discovery is genuinely commendable. We, at Nat Geo, are excited about being privy to this extraordinary event and giving our viewers the exclusive opportunity to witness history being made.”

    From the finer details & intricacies, to the realization of the entire construction process, catch it all on “A Short Story of a Long Pipeline” premiering on Sunday, the 12th of January 2014 at 6 PM only on National Geographic Channel.

  • Network18 to spin off Cell18 as a separate company

    Network18 to spin off Cell18 as a separate company

    MUMBAI: Cell18, Network18 group’s creative division, is planning to establish itself as a separate company, providing services to clients only outside the network group.
     

    The Cell, Network18’s specialist promo and packaging unit, will continue making ad films and promos apart from packaging design for outfits within the Network18 group.
     

    “Cell18 was already working for clients outside the company. However, now with our capabilities growing day by day, we want to establish Cell18 as a separate revenue generating body for ourselves. Hence Cell18 is migrating to become a company,” said an official source.
     

    The company will be establishing itself as a creative production house, also specialising in brand design and documentary making.
     

    “For the past few months we have been producing work for the clients of many top line agencies like Lowe, JWT and Mudra.To understand the revenue generating capacity of the creative division, Cell18 underwent an experimental phase during January, February and March during which it clocked Rs 25 million, making a profit of Rs 14 million. Now that we have expanded across the industry, we want to create Cell18 as a creative production company also specialising in brand design and documentary making,” added the source.
     

    Cell 18 hopes to excel in competitive pricing. Hence it has installed in-house equipments. It has brought in 12 FCPs, 40 graphic work stations and two online machines-two smokes and one flint. Thus, starting from the pre-production process till the post-production stage, nothing will have to be outsourced, thereby lowering the entire cost of production.
     

    Cell 18 is also venturing into making mobisodes, audio visuals for mobile phones. It will be launching its first mobisode sometime next month.

    “Web and mobiles are the new interactive media that need to be exploited immensely to reach out to today’s audience. We have already made 20 webisodes (web films) for Pepsi and our latest is the one on IPL’s Kolkata Night Riders. Now we will be venturing into making mobisodes and the first one will be launching next month,” stated Network18 Group Network creative director Zubin Driver.
     

    Cell 18 has recently finished making a documentary on Gulbarg Museum in Gujrat for social activist Teesta Setalvad.
  • Aaj Tak’s Documentary bags award at MIFF 2002

    Aaj Tak’s Documentary bags award at MIFF 2002

    A two-part documentary aired on Aaj Tak in October 2001 has bagged the best film/video award in the national category at the recently concluded Mumbai International Film Festival.
     

    Two Assassinations and An Accident was part of 25 Incredible Years – a 10 part TV mini series in Hindi and English, each of 25 minutes, commissioned by the India Today group to commemorate 25 years of its existence. The films were made by Moving Picture Company, the production house of documentarist-auteur Ramesh Sharma. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000.
     

    The Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films is a biennial competitive event in film and video format organised by the Films Division, an I& B department, in co-operation with the Maharashtra government. Outstanding films in various categories are selected by an International Jury, with cash prizes aggregating to 2.7 million Indian rupees (approx. US$ 60,000). The festival serves as a platform where the filmmakers of the world can meet, exchange ideas, explore the possibility of co-production and market their films. 
     

    Two Assassinations and An Accident is a collage of interviews and reconstructions through the days of the Emergency till the end of the Rajiv Gandhi era, focussing of the careers of the Gandhi family members and the Indian polity through the decades. The first two episodes go behind what really happened during the Emergency-and why it happened in the first place. Among those interviewed for these segments were former prime minster Chandra Shekhar, photographer Raghu Rai, journalist Khushwant Singh, union home minister L K Advani, former BBC India bureau chief Mark Tully and Nehru family member Arun Nehru.

  • Miditech goes global for NGC

    Miditech goes global for NGC

    MUMBAI: Production house Miditech is getting more ambitious in its vision to rise to the top. It will make three documentaries for National Geographic.
     

    What is unique however is that unlike their previous show Leopards Of Bollywood the three upcoming projects will be shot across the globe.
     

    Speaking to Indiantekevision.com, Miditech CEO Nikhil Alva said, “This is a part of the documentary production fund programme that National Geographic has with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). The aim is to fund documentary filmmakers from across the Asian region. 330 entries were received. Out of this 28 were short listed. 12 ideas were then chosen.”

    “We were the only company that is doing more than one film. We will be shooting the films in US, Australia, South Africa. Another film will be shot in China. With this we are looking to take the next leap in terms of production values and scale. This competition is in its third year. The first year we had done Operation Hot Pursuit,” he added.
     

    Alva added that what gave Miditech the edge over the competition was the fact that their international ideas were unique. “In our presentation we also lucidly explained how the programmes would appeal to National Geographic’s global audience.
     

    “These shows will have an Indian element but the bulk of the work will be done outside. They will air on the channel across the world next year. So while we are an Indian company we want to send out the message that we are equally capable of making high quality products for the global market.”
     

    Alva said that one programme for National Geographic Witchcraft has just been completed. This will air in the December-January period. The other companies that have been selected by National Geographic and the EDB include APV Media (Singapore), India’s Asoka Raina Productions and Southern Star Entertainment (Singapore).
     

    The closing date for the contest was 30 August 2004. 16 Asian countries had sent in entries. The chosen entries will have a potential viewership of 220 million homes.

    NGC Intl executive VP production Bryan Smith, said, “This is the third year that National Geographic Channels International is working with local producers. The quality of entries has improved over the years. We are very pleased with the high standard of these documentary proposals received for the third season. 
     

    “We will continue to groom and raise the bar of the Asian filmmaking community to produce exceptional documentary programs for the global audience. Great stories told by Asian documentary producers will present new angles to our understanding of the world. “
     

    Similar to the first two seasons, a National Geographic documentary workshop will be organised for the winners to learn first-hand experience and insights about the makings of National Geographic programmes.
  • NGC to celebrate events that happen only in India

    NGC to celebrate events that happen only in India

    MUMBAI: One way that the National Geographic Channel (NGC) has been building the brand in India has been through showcasing Indian themed documentaries and specials made by local production houses.

    Last year it had showcased specials like Leopards Of Bollywood and Skeleton Lake. Later this year it will unveil a major initiative It Happens Only In India.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com on the initiative, NGC senior VP content and communication Dilshad Master says, “NGC has brought a variety of quality programming produced by Indian production houses to its viewers.Leopards of Bollywood and Skeleton Lake received an overwhelming response from audiences. Bringing alive the frightening story of leopard killings in the heart of modern day Mumbai, Leopards of Bollywood was both relevant and relatable. Directed by Chandramouli Basu and written by Niret and Nikhil Alva, Skeletons Lake was aired on the channel as a part of the F.I.R series and was very well received by viewers.
     

    “Vultures: Death Watch was another documentary aired earlier this year that was very topical. Coming up very soon is a special series called It Happens Only In India. This is a combination of very interesting and diverse topics that will be explored in each episode.”
     

    Last year one of NGC’s major on-ground endeavous was Nokia Innovations. However Master says that there are no plans as of now on the Innovation series for this year. “However National Geographic Channel will continue to innovate and excite our viewers with properties that are compelling and original.”
     

    On the marketing front Master notes that NGC has always used and will continue to use innovative initiatives involving on ground and new media to reach its viewers. Programmes such as Mission Everest, Mission Mars,Nokia Innovation, Nat Geo Investigates among others have in the past been used to engage viewers in an interesting manner and our new programmes coming up later this year will also have a huge interactive angle.
     

    “For It Happens Only in India we have innovative on ground and online ideas lined up. As a channel affiliated to the Star Network we plan to use Star’s 7827 in house short code to connect with viewers. Interactivity is key in broadcasting today and we are definitely planning to reach out to our viewers with exciting and innovative contests and promotions through the mobile media.”
  • Big RTL Thrill to telecast I Am Bruce Lee

    Big RTL Thrill to telecast I Am Bruce Lee

    MUMBAI: Big RTL Thrill, is all set to pay tribute to Bruce Lee on his 73rd birth anniversary. The channel which caters mainly to the male audience will telecast I Am Bruce Lee exclusively for its Indian audiences. The documentary which chronicles the action-packed life of the martial arts hero will be aired on 27 November at 10:00 pm.

     

    The channel which is available in dual feeds of Hindi and English, through this offering, gives an opportunity to all the martial art enthusiasts to have an insight into the master’s life who has justified each role with perfection from being a martial art expert, and founder of Jeet Dune Do to a son, husband and legendary icon.

     

    Across the world, I Am Bruce Lee is a well applauded documentary–cum- biopic about the greatest phenomena of martial arts, Bruce Lee. The documentary not only showcases the master’s excellence but will also focus on his personal life through the lens of his family, friends etc. The biopic is an interesting mixture of the master’s personal and professional stories. It includes footage featuring Bruce Lee’s students from the past, co-actors and everybody closely involved with his life.