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Tag: Nandita Das

  • Over 25 films awarded at Mumbai Womens International Film Festival

    Over 25 films awarded at Mumbai Womens International Film Festival

    Veteran actor Shabaza Azmi and senior actor-director Nandita Das along with renowned choreographer Saroj Khan were awarded Awards of Excellence at the Mumbai Women’s International Film Festival (MWIFF) in the western metropolis.

     

    The seven-day Festival organised by Oculus Creations had screened 210 films from across 70 nations and had given women filmmakers an international platform to screen their talents.

     

    While ‘Aabida’ by Maaria Sayeed of India won the best short film award, the largest number of awards went to ‘Bawra Mann’ for editing by Meghna Ashchitr and screenplay by Mitu Kumar and Abhilasha Nagi. The runner-up in the short film category was Israel’s ‘Rpomancy’ by Tal Getritman, Shea E Butler from US won the director’s award for ‘The Trial of Ben Barry’, while the cinematography award went to the British Chris Moon for ‘The Other Woman’. Shazia Shrivatava and Sharifa Roy got the best story award for ‘Do Pahar’.

     

    ‘Connected’ by America’s Tiffany Shiain got the best documentary award, and the runner-up award went to India’s ‘Woman Prayed and preyed upon’ by Kankana Chakraborty.

     

    ‘Silence’ by Avani Saxena and ‘Delivering Hope’ by Niraj Upadhyaya won the best and runner-up awards respectively in the ‘Her’ films category.

     

    Spain’s ‘A soft scent of Cinnamon’ by Giovanna Ribes won the Best Feature film award.

     

    The Audience Choice Awards went to three documentaries – ‘Gawah’ by Gauri Chadha, ‘Scattered Windows, Connected Doors’ by Ms Roohi Dixit and ms Ziba Bhagwagar, and America’s ‘Beyond Silence’ by Vidyut Latay – and two short films: ‘Melody’ by Hana Makki of Dubai, and ;Happy Birthday’ by Sheetal Shetty.

     

    The jury choice award went to the documentary ‘Gun and a God’ by Sonia Nepram of India and the short ‘725’ by America’s Irawati Athalye. Five documentaries came in for special mention: ‘In Our own way’ by Italy’s Wilma Massucco, India’s ‘Shivkalin Mardani Khel’ by Sailee Chandrakant Sane, ‘A country for my daughter’ by South Africa’s ‘Lucilla Blankenberg, India’s ‘My Kashmir’ by Madhuri Mohindar and Vaishali Sinha, and Italy’s ‘Me and Marti’ by Martina Vander Veer.

     

    Khan said: ‘The Bollywood fraternity respects the women filmmaker, long live women power’.

     

    Das said, ‘The percentage of women filmmakers in the industry is very less. I am very happy that women directors, women cinematographers, women editors and all the women technicians who work behind the camera are being felicitated and their work is being showcased at different places in Mumbai from the past one week and I’m also glad that my film ‘Firaaq’ was a part of it.’

     

    Deepa Bhatia, the editor of films ‘Kai Po Che’, ‘Student of The Year’ and ‘My Name Is Khan’ after her felicitation with the Award of Excellence said that this concept will help to uplift women filmmakers.

     

    Singer Shibani Kashyap, who was also awarded, rendered her famous song ‘Sajna Aa Bhi Jaa’.  

    Others felicitated included filmmakers Alankrita Shrivastava and Samruddhi Porey.

  • Govt to convene meeting in Feb to study problems of indie filmmakers

    Govt to convene meeting in Feb to study problems of indie filmmakers

    NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari has decided to call a meeting of independent filmmakers in February to discuss various issues being faced by them including lack of finance and high ticket prices.

    Tewari gave this assurance to a delegation of independent filmmakers which met him late last week. He asked the filmmakers to list out their grievances in detail.

    The delegation was represented by Onir, Anusha Rizvi and Shonali Bose who met him with a “Save Indie Cinema” petition jointly filled by 45 award winning film makers and signed by close to 18,000 people.

    The petition speaks about the threats that New Wave independent filmmakers in the country face. One of the concerns is non availability of resources to exhibit their films. “High ticket pricing that is inappropriate for small budget films, inadequate number of shows and odd show timings further destroy the possibility of regional and Hindi cinema to have any proper chance at being viewed. It defies logic that a Rs 1.5 billion film and a Rs 150 million film are priced by the multiplexes in the same manner,” the petition says.

    “We the petitioners hope that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry will take due notice of our petition and help independent film professionals and independent cinema to tell stories that would otherwise be neglected and would make us a poorer society for that,” said Anush Rizvi.

    Oscar Award and National Award winning Sound Engineer Resul Pookutty; National Award winning film makers Anant Mahadevan, Aparna Sen, Ashim Ahluwalia, Buddhadev Das Gupta, Girish Kasaravalli, Rituparno Ghosh, actor and producer Nandita Das, Juhi Chawla and Sanjay Suri are some of the petitioners.

    Ashim Ahluwalia asserts that the biggest struggle for Indian independent film makers is in India itself. “It’s not the audience that prevents films from being seen but distributors, theater owners and TV channels, that only operate from the most simplistic belief: that cinema is a product and can be nothing else,” he says.

  • Amole Gupte replaces Nandita Das as CFSI chairperson

    Amole Gupte replaces Nandita Das as CFSI chairperson

    MUMBAI: Amole Gupte has been chosen as the chairperson of the Children‘s Film Society of India (CFSI), according to the I&B Ministry. He replaces Nandita Das.

    Having met the I&B minister Manish Tiwary and accepted the offer earlier, Gupte received the official letter yesterday.

    With an experience in children‘s film (including Taare Zameen Par and his own directorial Stanley Ka Dabba), Gupte sees the new responsibility as an extension of his work.

    "I need to sort out my ideas about how I‘ll initiate my stint with the CFSI. My predecessor Nandita Das has been doing a very good job. The CFSI‘s recent film Gattu was exemplary. I hope to bring forth many more Gattus and Stanleys. But first let me catch my breath," Gupte has been quoted to have said.

  • CFSI celebrates Tagore’s birth anniversary

    CFSI celebrates Tagore’s birth anniversary

    MUMBAI: On the occasion of Nobel laureate Rabindreanath Tagore’s 250th birth anniversary, the Children’s Film Society India (CFSI) recently celebrated Tagore and his connect with the children in Nandan, Kolkata.

    On the appointed day, the CFSI organised ‘Chhelebela’, a celebration of Tagore’s stories on children through films, workshops, story reading, and panel discussion. The occasion also marked the screening of Buddhadeb Dasgupta’s film Woh that is inspired by Tagore’s book.

    Said CFSI chairperson Nandita Das,“Rabindranath Tagore’s contributions towards children’s literature is very significant, but not much has been done in sesquicentennial. We are really delighted that we have been able to put together three of our films based on his delightful literature. Our recent film, Woh directed by Buddhadeb Dasgupta is the latest edition to our tribute to Gurudev.”

    In the day long festivities, films like Mrinal Sen’s Ichchapuran and Zul Vellani’s Dak Ghar were also screened. Every screening was followed by a story discussion with the children about the films.

    While Sen was the chief guest of the eventful day, noted actor Soumitra Chatterjee read out a short story of Tagore.

  • Gattu to release on 20 April

    Gattu to release on 20 April

    MUMBAI: After getting a lot of praise in several international film festivals including the recently concluded Berlin Film Festival, Children‘s Film Society’s film Gattu is being readied for release in India on 20 April.

    Talking about the film CFSI chairperson Nandita Das said, “Gattu is a fun film, full of charm and adventure, made with sensitivity and a keen cinematic eye. Gattu’s desire to fulfill his dream speaks to both, children and adults alike. We are delighted to produce this film as part of rejuvenating the Children’s Film Society, India. We hope to reach out to millions of children within the country and elsewhere, to share with them the journey of an orphan boy who finds a reality that is bigger than his dream.”

    Gattu is the story of a little village orphan child labourer, whose aim is to cut the large black kite Kaali with his kite-flying skills. The adventurous spirit of this little boy finally leads him to leading a normal kid‘s life, complete with an adoring foster parent in his employer and education!

    Berlinale 2012‘s International Jury Generation Kplus awarded a special mention to the film. On his Berlinale experience, CFSI CEO Sushovan Banerjee said, “Berlin was a very proud moment for us at CFSI. Gattu is a movie that will touch a lot of hearts and I am sure that the audience in India will connect with this little street urchin determined to fulfill his dream.”

    The film stars Mohammad Samad as Gattu, Naresh Kumar as Anees Bhai and Bhura as Tiger the sheep.

  • CFSI releases DVDs of popular Children’s films from its archives

    CFSI releases DVDs of popular Children’s films from its archives

    HYDERABAD: A set of five DVDs containing three children‘s films each from the archives of the Children‘s Film Society, India, was released here today by CFSI chairperson Nandita Das.


    Speaking on the occasion, she said that the CFSI has 250 films in its library including some acquired films. Films made by CFSI are also being dubbed in other Indian languages with the help of a Pune-based organisation.


    CFSI CEO Sushovan Banerjee said the CFSI had restored 21 old films as part of the National Heritage Mission of the Government. 17 or 18 of these were marketable and therefore these would be brought out in DVDs.


    The number of DVDs would be doubled in the next phase and all the films would be out in DVDs within two or three years. The DVDs had been brought out in collaboration with Shemaroo. They were priced at Rs 399 for three films in one DVD, Rs 299 for two films in a DVD and Rs 149 for single films in a DVD.


    Reacting to a question relating to content not suitable for kids in some of the films being exhibited at the 17th International Children‘s Film Festival, Das and Banerjee said at a press meet here that children today know more about life than we had known as young people. Each screening committee had educators amongst the members and they had approved these films.


    Banerjee said the aim of showing films from overseas is to let children learn about other cultures.


    Das said the aim of the selection process of the films at the 17th ICFF is to ensure fun films that served as an alternative to the sordid programming that children are forced to see in the home on television whose remote is in the hands of the elders. Films that appeared to be preaching are not preferred, though all films taught something.


    She said she had understood the relevance of children‘s film during her two years at the CFSI.

  • Govt examining proposal to make ICFF a roving festival

    Govt examining proposal to make ICFF a roving festival

    NEW DELHI: The government is considering a proposal from the Children‘s Film Society, India, to convert the International Children‘s Film Festival held in Hyderabad every second year into a roving festival.


    Joint Secretary (Films) D P Reddy confirmed that the proposal had been received by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in this connection.


    CFSI Chairperson Nandita Das also said she would like the ICFF to bean annual event, and suggested that it could be held in Hyderabad every alternate year since the Andhra Pradesh Government had done somuch groundwork for this Festival, which had earlier been a roving Festival until 1995.


    When the Festival was held in Hyderabad in 1995, then Chief Minister NChandrababu Naidu had urged the CFSI to base the festival in that city, and also promised to give land for building a children‘s complex.


    The complex has still not been made since the CFSI had raised various objections to the land allotted to it in Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad.


    Das and Reddy were interacting with the media on the forthcoming ICFF in Hyderabad from 14 to 20 November.


    Meanwhile, a total of 160 features from 40 countries and several short films are being screened during the 17th ICFF next month. Theselection has been made from over 700 entries. ‘Gattu‘ by Rajen Khosa is the opening film.


    There is a total budget of Rs 50 million for the Festival, of which Rs27.5 million has been contributed by the Central Government and the rest is being put in by the Andhra Pradesh Government.


    There will be several new features in this year‘s festival. There will be four competitive sections: international, Indian, short films, and ‘Little Directors‘ for children filmmakers. In addition, there will be the non-competitive Children‘s World which will have 50 animation films including some Oscar winners.


    The festival will also have several workshops including animation and script writing, in addition to press conferences and an Open Forum.


    The festival will for the first time have films from Africa and Latin America. China will be the country in focus at the Festival.


    In addition to the adult international juries, there will be achildren‘s jury to judge the films.


    Das told indiantelevision.com after the press meet that though thefilms are sub-titled in English, a small synopsis of each film in achild-friendly language had been prepared for each film and would beread out before the start of the film.


    For the first time, ICFF will see the participation of the Federationof Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry which will organise asmall market section and has also managed the participation of bothCartoon Network as well as Nickelodeon, according to Munjol Shroff whorepresented the trade body. Ficci will also organise a workshop ongaming, animation and special effects, he added.


    ICFF Director and CFSI CEO Sushovan Banerjee said that a new venue –Shilpramum – had been selected for the Festival this year, and three make-shift theatres were being built at this venue to be ready in time of the Festival. Each will be equipped with the latest projection and Dolby sound, he added.


    He said while Doordarshan was the broadcast partner, efforts were onto get corporate sponsorships.


    In answer to a question, Reddy said that the state chief minister had said that the Telengana issue would not be allowed to interfere in the conduct of the Festival.


    Banerjee told indiantelevision.com, “For the children aged between 3 to 16 years of age, this film festival has feature films like Iran‘s” The Other”, France‘s “Tales Of The Night”, China‘s “The Star And The Sea”, Denmark‘s “The Great Bear”, India‘s “Chillar Party”, “Stanley Ka Dabba”, and “I Am Kalam”.


    Both the national and international level films will be given the same cash component and trophy. The Best feature film will be given Rs 200,000 and the Golden Elephant trophy, the first runner up will get Rs 100,000 and a trophy, the best director will be given Rs 1,50,000 and a Golden Elephant trophy, best script will be given Rs 100,000 and a trophy. Besides this, best feature film selected by the Children‘s Jury will be given a Golden Elephant trophy.


    The Best short film will be given Rs 100,000 and a Golden Elephant trophy, the runner up will be given Rs 50,000 and a Golden Elephant trophy and the film chosen by the Children‘s Jury will be given a Golden Elephant trophy. Also, films directed by children will be awarded with a Golden Elephant.

  • CFSI to show over 100 films in kids filmfests: Nandita Das

    CFSI to show over 100 films in kids filmfests: Nandita Das

    NEW DELHI: Children’s Film Society, India (CFSI) chairperson Nandita Das urged more schools to collaborate with the Society to show good children’s films to the young.

    She said that the CFSI has a collection of around 250 films, and she has promised to show at least a 100 of these every year in schools and smaller festivals.

    Das was inaugurating a three-day Festival of Children’s Films in the capital, which is screening eight select films.

    Apart from the films, six different activities including workshops, film appreciation, competition and interaction will be held during the course of the three-day festival.

    Das also informed the children and others present about the next International Children’s Film Festival in Hyderabad commencing from Children’s Day – 14 November – and concluding on 20 November. The festival is held every second year in Hyderabad.

    The films being screened include Chutkan Ki Mahabharat, Karamati Coat, and Halo.

    Workshops are being held in cinematography and review writing, and film appreciation among other themes.

  • Eros acquires distribution rights for Aishwarya Rai’s ‘Provoked’

    Eros acquires distribution rights for Aishwarya Rai’s ‘Provoked’

    MUMBAI: Eros International plc has acquired the distribution rights of Provoked starring Aishwarya Rai for the UK and US, besides the Indian terriority.

    Provoked is based on the true story of a Punjabi woman named Kiranjit Ahluwalia who moves to England and marries a man who subjects her to violent physical abuse. In a fit of desperation, she resorts to killing him and is subsequently charged with first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. The movie follows her pursuit for justice, according to an official statement.

    Kiranjit Ahluwalia’s story has succeeded in transforming the British judicial system and the meaning of ‘provocation’ has since been redefined in the case of physically abused women. The story has been so influential that a book was published on her life called ‘Circle of Light’, by Rahila Gupta.

    Directed by Jag Mundhra Provoked also stars Miranda Richardson (The Hours, Phantom of the Opera, Get Carter), Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter, Ocean’s 12, Golden Eye, The World is Not Enough), Nandita Das (Sandstorm, Fire, Earth), Rebecca Pidgeon (Heist), Deborah Moore (Die Another Day) and Naveen Andrews (Lost, The English Patient, Bride & Prejudice)

    The movie was screened at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and more recently to Patricia Hewitt, British Culture Minister, informs the statement. Eros will be announcing the release date of the film shortly.