The National Students' Film Festival, held on the 18th and 19th of March 2023 in Mumbai, proved to be a grand success with the screening of 29 short films selected from 59 submissions across 16 states and 12 languages. The festival was organised by Rashtriya Kala Manch and Vidyarthi Nidhi, with the support of notable personalities from the film industry and academia.
The inauguration ceremony of the festival was graced by renowned figures such as Marathi Film Director Shri Rajdutt Ji, Film Producer Shri Tarun Rathi, National Organizing Secretary of ABVP Shri Ashish Chauhan, President of Vidyarthi Nidhi Prof. Milind Marathe, Rashtriya Kala Manch National Convenor Ku. Gunjan Thakur, and Deep Prajwalan.
During the inaugural speech at the National Students Film Festival, the renowned film Director Shri Rajdutt Ji took a moment to reflect on his past as a student and his early days in the film industry. He began by expressing his gratitude to the organisers of the festival for providing a platform for young filmmakers to showcase their talents. He then went on to share his own experiences as a student, saying that he had always been passionate about films, even from a young age. He reminisced about his early days in the film industry, recalling how he had to work hard to establish himself and earn the respect of his peers. He spoke about the challenges he had faced, including financial difficulties, lack of opportunities, and the pressure to create something unique and meaningful.
Despite these challenges, he never lost his passion for filmmaking and continued to work hard and persevere. Over time, he gained recognition and success, eventually becoming one of the most respected film producers in the industry. Shri Rajdutt ji also took the opportunity to encourage the young filmmakers in the audience, urging them to follow their passions and never give up on their dreams. He emphasised the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance in achieving success.
Film Director & President of the Advisory Committee of NSFF Shri Tarun Rathi ji appreciated the Nsff and said it is a wonderful platform for students to showcase their creativity and skills, and to gain valuable experience and exposure. It's important to support and encourage emerging filmmakers, as they are the future of the industry. I hope that more opportunities like this will continue to be available for students to pursue their passion for filmmaking and storytelling.
Professor Milind Marathe appreciated the content of the short films and the social message they conveyed through art. It's always heartening to see art being used as a medium to bring about positive social change. It's also wonderful to hear that he thanked Rashtriya Kala Manch for organizing an event like the National Short Film Festival (NSFf) at the national level. Such events provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and reach a wider audience. They also encourage the creation of socially conscious content and promote the growth of the film industry as a whole. Overall, it's encouraging to see people recognizing the importance of art and its ability to bring about positive change in society.
Approximately 70 student volunteers from different departments of Mumbai University joined hands to form the organising team of the National Students Film Festival. These enthusiastic volunteers worked together tirelessly to ensure the success of the event and created memories that will last a lifetime.
The festival not only showcased the best short films by student filmmakers but also provided a platform for aspiring filmmakers to learn from experts in the field. Several masterclasses were conducted by renowned personalities such as director and screenwriter Shri Vivek Agnihotri, screenwriter Shri Neeraj Pathak, actor Shri Yogesh Soman, cinematographer Shri Aseem Bajaj, film producer Shri Gopal Malhotra, and Professor Satyajit Mandle, who taught participants the technical aspects of cinematography, constructing a narrative through cinema, and production and casting.
Aseem Bajaj conducted a masterclass on cinematography. He emphasized the importance of hitting the heart of the audience rather than following the 1/3 rule of framing. Bajaj stressed understanding the director's vision, being observant of everyday life, and pre-production discussions to minimize costly reshoots. His definition of cinema as "24 breaths per second" is a powerful reminder of its impact.
Vivek Agnihotri was among Chief Guests at the NSFF event, where he encouraged upcoming filmmakers to be courageous and find their voice by experimenting with different ideas, stories, and characters. He shared his experiences with his films, "Buddha in a Traffic Jam," "The Tashkent Files," and "The Kashmir Files," which focused on fundamental human rights. His next film, "Vaccine War," celebrates the women who produced India's fastest indigenous vaccine for Covid-19. He is currently working on the last film in the trilogy, "Bengal Files," and emphasized the importance of expressing oneself to achieve success.
Renowned director Shri Mushtaq Nadiadwala imparted his invaluable insights and guidance to participants on the challenges of filmmaking during the early stages of their career. Drawing from his own experiences, he shared practical advice and strategies for navigating the struggles that come with making films.
The National General Secretary of ABVP, Shri Yagyawalkya Shukla, has expressed his admiration for the Rashtriya Kala Manch's efforts in organising India's only film festival by and for students. He commended the organisation for its dedication to promoting student involvement in the festival and acknowledged the significant impact it has had on the film industry in India.
National Students Film Festival Mumbai 2023 was an electrifying event that left an indelible mark on the minds of attendees. The festival showcased an array of awe-inspiring films that left the audience with a profound sense of motivation and inspiration. Among the films screened, some stood out for their bold and unapologetic portrayal of social evils that plague our society. These films fearlessly confronted issues like Hatred, Animal Slaughter, and other societal injustices, leaving a powerful impact on the audience.
Moreover, the festival also showcased films that delved into the scientific reasons behind religious beliefs. These films offered a unique perspective and helped to bridge the gap between science and spirituality. The festival proved to be a platform for young and aspiring filmmakers to showcase their talent and creativity. The quality of the films on display was nothing short of remarkable, with each film offering a fresh and unique perspective on a range of topics. Overall, the National Students Film Festival Mumbai 2023 was a resounding success, leaving attendees feeling motivated, inspired, and eager to see what the future holds for the Indian film industry.
At the valedictory ceremony, the best short films and individuals in various categories were awarded. The Grand Prize worth Rs. 1,00,000 was awarded to "Alarm Gadi" for the best short film, while Sagar Mashalkar won Best Music in "Lovebuds," Surya Teja won Best Editing in "Vidhi Aata," Sanjai Chandrasekaran won Best Regional Film in "Canvas," Shubham Sharma won Best Cinematography in "Alarm Ghadi," and "New Year in Eashaan Bharat" won Best Documentary. Chaman Ramesh Kishan won Best Script for "A Flight of Lost Dreamy Bird," while Nitin Nikale won Best Direction for "Suklya and Pathavnee." The awards were presented by the National General Secretary of ABVP Mr. Yagyavalkya Shukla, filmmaker Mr. Tarun Rathi, Mr. Mushtaq Nadiadwala, and Rashtriya Kala Manch All India Incharge Shri J Niranjan. JP Niranjan Ji, the National Incharge of Rashtriya Kala Manch, expressed his gratitude to all the participants and the audience for their unwavering support throughout the festival.
The National Students' Film Festival is the only festival in India that is exclusively by, for, and from the student fraternity. Rugved Soman, Convenor Rashtriya Kala Manch Mumbai Chapter, expressed a commitment to organising more such student-oriented fests in the future. Overall, the festival was a tremendous success, with promising young filmmakers showcasing their talent, learning from industry experts, and gaining recognition for their exceptional work.