Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur) - Hindustan Times (Jaipur) - City
Film festivals give voice to Indian female filmmakers
There is euphoria, in general, about how the film world is acknowledging that female voices have been underrepresented, and now making amends. While Cannes Film Festival, in a first, reportedly had 20 female filmmakers in its Official Selection, women directors accounted for 44% of the competition at Venice Film Festival last year, according to Variety. At the Toronto Film Festival last year, women makers were behind nearly half of the films screened.
Rohena Gera, whose film
Sir toured several global film festivals before releasing in India on an OTT platform, feels such screenings give massive reassurance to filmmakers, about their product. “Film festivals are providing a great platform for voices of female filmmakers,” she adds.
“Film festivals allow films that may not necessarily be able to have a commercial platform, to be showcased,” opines filmmaker Gauri Shinde, adding, “They also look out for unique talent and it’s extremely encouraging to all kinds of filmmakers.”
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), too, saw a record number of 32 women filmmakers whose films will be screened this year. National Award-winning director Rima Das, whose film For Each Other will be screened at IFFM, is happy that a change is set in motion. “It may take another 10 years to see significant change. But, I’m happy that there is a serious attempt to see stories from a woman’s voice and perspective,” adds the
Village Rockstars (2017) director.
Makers of documentaries and short films, too, are getting recognition. Director Karishma Dube, whose short film Bittu will be screened at IFFM, says, “Making a short film comes with no guarantee that it will find an audience or a platform, so for the film to find a home across the world, it’s a massive honour for me. I hope I can attend the festival in person, someday soon.”
Akriti Singh, whose directorial debut Toofaan Mail was recently named best film (youth choice) at the UK Asian Film Festival, believes such a fest is a great platform to showcase a film, especially for newcomers. “It gives validation, and back home, amplifies chances of getting potential buyers as well,” says Singh, who also stars in the film.