Filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli said that international film festivals went a long way in developing taste for quality films from different parts of the country and other countries.
He was speaking after inaugurating the three-day Manipal International Film Festival, organised by School of Communication, Manipal University, and the Udupi Chitra Samaj, here on Friday.
Mr. Kasaravalli said when the first international film festival was organised in Mumbai nearly six decades ago, there was lot of debate for the need for such festivals. But the popularity of international film festivals increased.
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Later such international film festivals were held in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram. But as the demand grew, these festivals were also held in Pune, Bangalore, Panaji and other places.
The international film festival had broadened the horizons of filmmakers in India six decades ago. This also led to filmmakers such as Mrinal Sen, Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and others to make quality films, which were hailed not just in India but also the world over.
He lauded the students of School of Communication for organising such a festival. It would expose the students to the best of the films being made in different parts of the world. “I hope this film festival will be a meaningful experience for the students,” Mr. Kasaravalli said.
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Presiding over the inaugural function, H. Vinod Bhat, Pro Vice Chancellor of Manipal University, said that the screening of best films from different parts of the world would add to the knowledge of the students. “I am glad about this initiative taken by the students of School of Communication,” he said.