HYDERABAD: The department of communication, Loyola Academy, kick started its third annual edition of IN FOCUS, a national level film festival for students from all streams of learning on Tuesday. “This is a fairly ambitious programme. We got about 70 entries from students across the country,” said R Akhileshwari, head, department of mass communication, Loyola Academy, in her inaugural speech, adding, “This is primarily to give exposure to students.” The influx and access to high-end technology to students has reduced the costs incurred in making a film. “Film making was an expensive hobby. But of late, due to the wherewithal and equipment our students possess, they can give wings to their creativity,” said Akhileshwari, continuing, “Films made by youth are really very inspiring.”
IN FOCUS is aimed at moulding students into dynamic media professionals. “Cinema is not only great art but also business,” declared chief guest, film maker Umesh Mehra at the inaugural function. According to Mehra, Indian cinema has grown by leaps and bounds and would do well to stick to its roots rather than emulating Hollywood. Also, song-and-routines need not necessarily be done away with. “Stay rooted to your soil, that is what I believe in,” said Mehra adding “exposure to students to world cinema is one of the factors that could pave the way for a more sensitive and socially responsible citizen, capable of reflecting the reality of his surroundings effectively onto celluloid.”
While lauding message-oriented films like Rang De Basanti and 3 Idiots , Mehra said that commercial cinema is hugely entertaining. “I am not here to teach lessons of life to the man across the street. For him, maybe a Munni Badnaaam Hui is entertaining,” said Mehra, adding, “The bottom line is, your story must connect with the audience.”
The speakers touched upon several aspects of the deteriorating television content in India apart from eroding ethics, sensationalism and corruption in the media world. “Commercial cinema cannot be tolerated by anybody with an iota of intelligence,” said P V Satheesh, director, Deccan Development Society in his keynote address taking a critical view of the quality of political reportage in the media, the recent Radia controversy and the growing elitist propaganda in media circles. “Media is now creating elitism,” said Satheesh, adding, “It is now standing against democracy.”
Urging the students to make thought-provoking films, Satheesh said that revolutionary truth lives in minorities. “Be sceptical of fame and do not make comfortable cinema. You should be able to disturb your audiences,only then can you liberate people.”
The function also saw an interactive session of the guest speakers with the students followed by screening of several short films, starting with Iruthuruvam by N Balaji from L V Prasad Institute. The festival will go in till December 9.