THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Youth Welfare Board is organising a documentary and short film festival in memory of film director P Padmarajan at VJT Hall in the city. The three-day-long short film festival would be held from October 12.
This is the second time the event is being held. Entries have been invited from those between 18 and 40 years of age. Documentaries/short films with less than 30 minutes’ duration would be screened on the occasion.
Says K Vinod Sen, the festival director,”We have been receiving a good response, compared to last year. Around 250 entries have been received.”
The fest would be inaugurated by Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman Rajeev Nath and the event would be presided over by P K Jayalakshmi, Minister for Welfare of Backward Communities. R S Vimal and Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, directors of ‘Ennu Ninte Moideen’ and ‘Oralpokkam’, will be felicitated on the occasion by filmmaker Lenin Rajendran. M P Sukumaran Nair will be the chief guest.
The valedictory event and prize distribution would be held after the film screenings on October 14 noon. Radhalakshmi Padmarajan, wife of the late filmmaker, will distribute the prizes to the winners. Director Priyanandanan will inaugurate the event and director/cinematographer Sunny Joseph will be the chief guest. Anantha Padmanabhan, son of Padmarajan, would be present.
This time, the board plans to create a nostalgic atmosphere, revoking memories of the late director for the audience. Adds Vinod Sen, “After the movie screening in the evening, we plan to play the music and songs from his films for the public.”
Entry will be free for the public. The board expects a good response for the film fest this year too. Recalls Vinod, “Film critic M F Thomas, who was one of the jury members last year, had said on the occasion that he had never seen such a crowd, especially youngsters, for any other documentary film festival in the city.”