The Lohithadas National Short Film Festival(LNSFF)-2012 organised by Maharajas Youth Theatre (MYTH) and Maharajas College Old Students Association began at Maharaja’s College on Friday.
The three-day film festival was inaugurated by national award winning Marathi director Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni at the college auditorium in the morning. Hibi Eden MLA was also present.
‘Chayaa’, directed by V K Subhash was screened as the inaugural film. The film was nominated for the Cannes Film Festival. As many as 70 films were showcased at three venues- Maharaja’s College Seminar Hall, Childrens Park Theatre and Public Library Hall Theatre. As many as 250 films will be screened till Sunday. The jury members are Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni, V K Subhash, Latha Rajeev and Geetha Mathan. Kulkarni said it was great to see young film enthusiasts coming up with such a big event. “Short films are very essential and not much recognition is given to this art. They are always misinterpreted as documentaries whereas short films have an identity of itself,” he said.
Umesh Kulkarni said that comparison between short films and feature films can never made. “Unlike in other parts of the country, the approach of people here towards films was very different. Here people are very serious about assessing movies while it is just a mode of entertainment in other places,” he said.
He said short film should be short in duration and the makers should be careful about it. “Short films are yet to become popular compared to movies which have wider reach and response from the public,” he said. About 54 short film will be screened on Saturday. Actor Salim Kumar’s film ‘Parethante Paribavangal’ will also screened at the film festival.Though the majority of students kept away owing to Bakrid holidays, a large number of film enthusiasts thronged the venue.
The awards will be announced on Sunday, the third day of this event.