Film Festival on Arts Kicks off in City

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday said the Tourism and Culture Department is working towards reviving the much-delayed Kalamandal project in the Capital City besides setting up another art gallery.

Inaugurating the 9th National Film Festival on Arts and Artists at the IDCOL auditorium here, he said the State Government is committed towards development of Odisha’s art and artisans. District and block-level societies of arts and culture - Zilla Kala Sanskruti Sangha (ZKSS) and Block Kala Sanskruti Sangha (BKSS) - have been formed that will help folk artistes earn livelihood through performances. The Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi is working on a database of the performing artistes and the groups involved in perpetuating the dying folk arts, he added.

This year, the three-day film festival is being organised by the JD Centre of Arts (JDCA) on the theme ‘Making of Art: The Process’. Around 35 films are being screened. “Along with screening of films, we are organising workshops, seminars and exhibitions that showcase handlooms, handicrafts and cuisines of Odisha,” said Nandita Das, acclaimed actress and JDCA trustee.

This year’s line-up includes films by eminent filmmakers like Gautam Ghosh, founder of Cinemaya and Osian Film Festival Aruna Vasudev, award winning animator and filmmaker Gitanjali Rao, head of Indian Institute of Mass Communication and former head of NFDC Sunit Tandon, documentary filmmakers Nandan Saxena and Kabita Behl.

The festival was opened with a 15-minute short film ‘Journeys’ by Reena Mohan who explored the Sujni craft of Bihar and the employment opportunities provided by it to women from backward communities.

Among others, Tourism Minister Ashok Panda, Secretary Arvind Padhee, founder of the JDCA Jatin Das, renowned weaver Chaturbhuj Meher and former diplomat Abasar Beuria were present. The festival will conclude on Sunday.

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