Choosing to be different, and playing a movie in class, having a discussion about the film, not to mention learning the art of movie making, acting and script writing, is Oxford Grammar School, Himayatnagar.
“We have movies on all subjects, from entertainment, culture, activities and various other skits. All such themes are presented in these movies,” says a film club member, Alehkya. About 60 of the students, are part of the school's club. Some of them also took part in Farabi International Children's Film festival held in Iran and Giffoni International Film Festival held in Italy.
Going international
This year, the children are participating in the Golden Elephant International Children's Film Festival of India. They have been taking part in such festivals for the past few years and winning accolades for the school, each year. They also took part in Chitrotsav, a children's film festival held at Hyderabad. The members of the club have been taken on as jurors and also took part in Open Forum, which conducts discussions on various topics with relation to films.
Discussions follow
“We watch films such as “Gol”, “Rihla”, “Harivillu” and “Nandan”. Every month, our school plays a film as part of the film club's activities, which we enjoy immensely,” says another member, Swamicharan. Playing a few films and having a discussion at the end of it, is part of the infotaining concept.
V Satya Prasanna, a teacher at the school, who is also the co-ordinator of the film club says, “Teachers observe and involve the children into participation. The workshops on film making and script writing are a leading example into the level of participation. The children also pick up excellent oratory skills and their confidence is given a boost, at these festivals. Even the parents give their kids the necessary encouragement.”
Children's Film Society (AP) or (CFSAP) chairman, Veda Kumar is also the chairman of the school board. The kids are already involved in the making of short films, and now, with them as jurors and orators, these children are definitely making the most of expressing themselves.
