A five-minute visual insight into the plight of Kuttanad, where people face severe water shortage crisis despite being surrounded by water, sums up Jalam . This short film, directed by Manu S. Kumar, an employee of UST Global, has been adjudged the best film at the Technopark’s Qisa film festival, which showcased films directed by techies in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
Ettaaman , A Myth directed by Mahesh Periyadan of UST Global were adjudged the second best film and it also bagged the award for the best script. N.S. Kiran and A. Aabid from RMESI won the best director award for their film The Appointment . Dipu Dasan of MOBATIA won the best actor award for his portrayal of a software engineer in the film Kanappuram . Mizhikalkkappuram and Classical Monologue of A Director received a special jury mention, at the festival organised by Prathidhwani, a cultural organisation at Technopark.
As many as 21 entries, including short films and documentaries, were screened at the festival attended by quite a number of film enthusiasts from the IT park.
The judging panel consisting of film critic M.F. Thomas, director Nooranadu Ramachandran, and writer Rosemary said they were impressed by the quality of some of the films. “Some of them managed to work on genuine themes. The younger generation has chosen not to be pretentious while selecting themes,” Ms. Rosemary said.
While it was a novel for many of the young film-makers, there were a few who had already forayed into the field long before they entered the world of IT.
Mr. Kumar, director of Jalam, said the three-month effort to portray the crisis in his own native place has been a learning experience and that he was hoping to do more projects.
“I always wanted to be a film-maker but I ended up in the IT field. Yet, I find time during weekends to follow my passion,” said Suraj P. Nair, who has nine films in his kitty. “Though they are in a different profession, it is good to see them organising such festivals that help bring out their creative side,” Mr. Thomas said.
The awards for the winners would be given away on September 20. There will be a screening of the award-winning films and a ‘Sufi night’ on the occasion, Prathidhwani secretary Rajeev Krishnan said.
