KOCHI: MYTH Film Cultural Society in association with Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and Government of Kerala Public Relation Department, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), Ernakulam Tourism Promotional Council (DTPC) and Konkani Arts and Cultural Commune with be organising The Kochi International Short Film Festival of India (KISFFI) in January 2015. C S Venkateswaran, a renowned film critic, will be the festival director.
The festival has sections like ‘Competition Section’, ‘Short Films from the World’, ‘Short Films from Asia’, ‘Short Films from India’, ‘Gender Short Films’, ‘Short Films on Nation’, ‘Nationality & Nationhood’, A collection of short films are being accepted from various film schools from around the world, ‘Language Focus - Konkani Language Films’, and ‘Sudevan Retrospective.’
The highlight of the film fest is that it has added a new category for short films in Kokani language. “This is a very special category because not many film festivals have this category in fests, other than in Goa. We thought it would be interesting,” said Srinivasan, member of KISFFI 2015.
It is mandatory that all entries sent to the festival must be in English or at least contain English subtitles. The length of the film must be at least 2 minutes long for it to be eligible for being selected. To submit the entry candidate must provide the following information on each case or on the DVD submitted - candidate’s name, producer’s title, film’s title and running time.
The competition section is divided into three categories, ‘General Section’ for which the entry fee is `1000 (Indian Subcontinent) and $35 (Films from abroad); ‘Students Section’ for which the entry fee is `500 (Indian Subcontinent) and $25 (Films from abroad) and ‘Regional Focus-Konkani Section’ for which the entry fee is `500 (Indian Subcontinent) and $25 (Films from abroad).
The awards will be given to the entries in various categories. In general section, which prizes will be given to best films, best directors, best script, best camera, best editing, best actor. In student’s section award will be given for best film and in regional focus - Konkani entries will be felicitated for best film. The awards for the winner in the above mentioned categories will consist of a certificate, cash award and a KISFFI memento.
The film festival is now accepting entries for the event and the last late for the entries to be sent is December 1. The short films will be screened at Marine Drive ground and at Children’s Park Theatre.
According to Srinivasan, KISFFI has received 25 entries till now, out of which a few come from Poland, Latin America, Britain and Germany. Among the Indian entries, Chennai, Kolkatta, Bangalore, New Delhi and Kochi are prime contributors. “We receive maximum entries from SRM University and Balu Mahindra Film Institute in Chennai. We are expecting bulk submission from Bangalore which we will be receiving next week,” says Srinivasan.