TIL Desk Lucknow :👉The inaugural day of Lucknow Short Film Festival, Season 2, AAO FILM BANAYE, presented by Lucknow Film Forum, supported by Amren Foundation and powered by Kent Healthcare products, marked a triumphant start. This year’s festival delved into the theme, “Cinematic Compassion: Transforming Lives Through Films.”
Under the guidance of Renuka Tondon, India’s first ever stylish film festival became a resounding success. The festival stands as a beacon of creative and cultural heritage, illuminating the rich tapestry of performing arts and diverse facets of the Media and Entertainment Industry, giving young budding filmmakers of our nation a platform to show their talent. while blending a hint of fashion. This year, our esteemed jury members were, Seema Pahwa, Jyoti Kapur Das, Ratnaa Sinha, Mark Bennington, and Kireet Khurana.
The star-gilded affair began with the lighting of the lamp, by our chief guest, Prof.Rita Bahuguna, former MP Pryagraj and our guest of honour, Dhiraj Meshram, Dean, FTII, Pune.
Dhiraj Meshram, Dean, FTII, Pune, expressed his gratitude, and spoke about the importance of cinema “In just 100 years, cinema has made a huge impact that cannot be denied. Short Films are a great medium to convey a strong message, they have the power to evoke emotion among the masses. Festivals like Lucknow Short Festival are doing a vital work in promoting this art form, as here short films are not only screened but they bring film industry experts from pan india. I extend my heartiest congratulations and gratitude to Lucknow Film Forum for organizing this event on such a grand scale.”
Rita Bahuguna in her speech, thanked and appreciated, Renuka Tondon, director, and the Lucknow Film Forum team for promoting the art of Short Films. She further added “The film industry has changed drastically in the last two decades, the journey from silent cinema to films is commendable. Given people’s short attention spans nowadays, I believe short films have an advantage. I’m impressed with how short films effortlessly explore delicate societal issues and convey a strong message. Entertainment sector is backing many livelihoods and it is important for us to support and promote this art form as much as we can.”
Renuka Tondon encouraging young filmmakers of Lucknow added “To all the young filmmakers present here, you are surrounded by many great minds who have made excellent cinema, I encourage you all to embrace this chance to deepen your knowledge, expand your perspective, and enhance your skills. Attend these sessions with enthusiasm and dedication. Let it be the catalyst for your personal and professional growth. Invest in yourself because the knowledge and skills you gain today will shape your future.”
Later at the faciliatation ceremony, our esteemed jury members were honored by Navneet Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati India. The exclusive private screenings of “Good Morning” directed by Jyoti Kapur Das and “Ishq Ho Gaya” starring Akshay Oberoi, directed by Ratnaa Sinha, were among the standout highlights of the event. After each screening, the director and the cast sat down for a session where they spilled the behind-the-scenes facts and answered questions. Lucknowites were seen interacting with actor Akshay Oberoi, shed light on the discipline of acting and provided insights into the actor’s life. Director Ratnaa Sinha shared her invaluable tips on scriptwriting, while Jyoti Kapur Das delved into the intricacies of direction, enriching the audience with her expertise.
The first film of the two-day festival was “Champaran Mutton” directed by Ravi Raushan Kumar and Ranjan Kumar, a film made by the FTII, which also made it to the prestigious Oscar Student Academy Award nominations.
“Champaran Mutton” delves into the themes of caste politics and discrimination, focusing on the everyday struggles of a family living in Bihar. The narrative revolves around their efforts to prepare and savor Champaran Mutton, a beloved local Bihari delicacy.
A series of short films by various filmmakers from different parts of India were screened. Each film addressed a unique aspect of our society, delivering important messages while showcasing diverse filming techniques.
Pluto’s Eclipse directed by Fabian Adams, left the audience spellbound with its bold visual and settling storytelling. The film explores life on Pluto, highlighting inequality and conflict through two tribes’ which struggle with hunger, hallucinations, and a symbolic stone. Their interactions escalate into violence, reflecting the roots of human strife. Ultimately, it envisions a utopian Pluto where the senses that create war and enmity are absent in those humans, making this place a peaceful planet.
Later, “Avval,” directed by Avneesh Mishra and starring Bollywood actor Kumud Mishra, took the audience on an emotional journey. The short film told a unfinished romantic story of a middle-aged man who sets out to meet his old school love and share his recent success. However, after a 20-year gap, circumstances have changed, and in the end, reality leaves him astonished.
After that, the short film “The Old Mountain,” by Devesh Rangnath Kanase, was screened. The movie told the story of a devoted granddaughter who took her ailing grandfather to a mountain. The mountain is believed to have healing powers. For her, the peak of the mountain represents hope for his cure, but for him, it symbolizes a lifetime of memories. Each step up the mountain reveals chapters of his life, culminating in a poignant reflection on love, loss, and peace.
Such a grand event would have not been possible without our talented and skilled team which included, Shri Ambrish Tandon, Anushka Dalmia, Kanika Mehrotra, Riya Tiwari, Aman Arya, Tushar Usha Vishkarma and Red brigade team, Varun, Abhivyakti, Saahiba, Gargi, Renuka Tandon.
