In a unique endeavour by a Delhi-based youth group and a few members of Bollywood, a short film festival will soon be organised in the country’s capital, where acclaimed short films made by eight renowned filmmakers from around the world will be showcased.
These films will support the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), eight international development goals which 192 UN member countries have pledged to achieve by 2015, including eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and more.
While noted filmmaker Mira Nair will be gracing the occasion herself, to be held on 17-18th September, she will also be premiering her film in India titled How Can It Be? that dwells on gender equality.
Rahul Bose will inaugurate the event while a jury of eminent personalities like filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and wildlife photographer and filmmaker Mike Pandey will evaluate a series of short films submitted by enthusiasts from across the country.
Gaurav Raturi along with his group of friends who are all MBAs and hold day jobs at various corporate firms in Delhi started 'Filmbooth', an organization that promotes social causes through the medium of films. He says, “We are a no-profit organisation that started to promote short films in India and concentrate on conveying meaningful messages to the world.
Raturi also informs that on 17-18th September, several countries worldwide will be celebrating the UN’s cause with different sets of events to mark the occasion. He adds, “A delegation from the government of India will also travel to New York to attend the summit.”
Talking about the contributions made by the different celebrities associated with the event, Raturi adds, “People are hugely influenced by the medium of cinema. A film that throws light on important issues is better remembered than a regular newspaper article. Rahul Bose has always been an ardent speaker on global issues and Anurag Kashyap will add his knowledge of cinema to the project.”
EIGHT – The International Short Films Festival on UN MDGs’ will be held in New Delhi at Islamic Culture Centre and Nehru Auditorium - Teen Murti Bhawan. Shorts by renowned filmmakers like Mira Nair, Gus Van Sant, Wim Wenders, etc will be screened.
By Sujata Chakrabarti
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