Open Forum, a Federation of Film Societies initiative, was inaugurated today at IFFI, 2017. The 29th edition at the 48th International Film Festival of India opened the platform with a discussion on the New Challenges in Organising Film Festivals. The initiative has been at the forefront of hosting discussions, deliberating important film topics since the first in 1988 in Thiruvananthapuram
At the inaugural, Sunit Tandon, Festival Director IFFI, recalled fond memories of being part of the first Open Forum in 1988. He vividly remembered the poster designed by the renowned G Ravindran and also highlighted the history of the federation. He wished the Federation all the success and was certain the discussions will prove to be enlightening.
Kiran Shantaram, Filmmaker and President of the Federation of Film Societies of India said that the Open Forum is conducted to know ‘what to watch and how to watch’. In context of the topic of discussion, he noted that doing the festival individually was a difficult task. Inadequate infrastructure and lack of funds are major constraints for organising Films festivals. Film Festivals of International level could not be possible without the government’s proactive support, he added.
The details of the consorted work undertaken by the Academy with the State were briefed by Rajendra Singh Babu,Chairman, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, Bengaluru. He announced the upcoming 10th edition of the festival dates as 22 Feb to March 2. Further, the festival will not be confined only to Bangalore alone, but Mysore too will be included in the festival ambit. The closing ceremony will be held in the spectacular environs of the Mysore Palace.
The next speaker New York based journalist Samantha Sartori who brings her extensive knowledge of covering film festivals was grateful to be present and was ‘really impressed with the festival’. Amit Agarwal, Head, International Alliances, Global Film Festivals, Noida, noted that while organising a festival is easy in the digital age, he questioned the presence of good infrastructure and planning. He pointed to Cannes as an example where the team commenced planning for the next one on the day after the festival ended.
After the panellists offered their important feedback on the various challenges, the forum was opened for audience interactions. Next ‘Open Forum’ will be held (on 23rd November 2017 at 1.30 p.m. at Venue: Old GMC Building, First Floor, Opp. INOX) on Topic - Film making in a changing scenario Focus on Technology, Audience, Distribution, Economics, Screening Facility, etc. by following Speakers Ms. Sanja Appel Film maker, U K; Mr. N. Vidyasankar Festival Director, Bengaluru International Film Festival; Mr. Luong Dinh Dung, Director & Producer of film ‘Father & Son’ Vietnam; Mr. Bharat Mirle, Film maker, Karnataka, India; Mr. Robin Sikawar, Producer & Director, Ahmedabad India; Mr. Joywin Fernandez, Film maker, Goa; Dr. Shreyans Jain, Film maker, Bikaner, Rajasthan.