Organ donation, drugs taking over the world, ghost hunting - themes quite disconnected, but they were the talking points at a marathon screening of short films made by Puducherry’s own film makers, on Saturday.
Some of the city’s emerging celluloid talents had an opportunity to prove their mettle during the Filmathon 2014, held at Hotel Atithi.
An initiative by the Pondicherry Independent Filmmakers Association, the event showcased nine short films, scripted, directed and shot in and around Puducherry. The local flavour endeared it to the audience which comprised families and college students.
Project coordinator Harshath Khan’s ‘Udavakarai’ weaved organ donation into the narrative. ‘G for Gautam, C for What?’ by engineering student Sundar, also took the social awareness route.
Sci-fi lovers had two films to cheer about- Project Human set in a futuristic scenario by R.M. Ravi, a school student, and Thiruvarasan’s ‘Brain Dead’.
While Madan Anand’s Tholaipesi provided comic relief, Vigneshwaran’s Oye was the rom-com in the run-up. The organisers ensured a mix of genres by including ‘Movie number 16, which the director Saravana Kumar describes as an art film and A.R Imran’s ‘Immortal’, a dark comedy with a supernatural touch.
Shanmuga Priya’s ‘Edhir Marai, a take on a writer’s life was the only film in the ensemble directed by a woman. Most of the directors were below 30, either working or students of engineering or visual communication.
The previous editions of the festival have encouraged students to get interested in short film making said Mr. Saravana Kumar. The post-screening discussion allows the audience to get a very good perspective of the director.
“Some students also assist us on the field to learn techniques first-hand. We also conduct workshops for those who are interested.”
One of the directors, Imran has recently begun assisting in a movie production in Chennai.
