Shattering stereotypes of disability through cinema

As a tribute to the heroism and struggle of millions of speciallyabled across the globe, the 11th edition of the annual International ‘We Care’ film festival commenced on November 6, 2019 at Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication. Through the festival, AIMC seeks to spotlight skills of Differently abled people & their contributions to society’.

The festival is being organised in association with the internationally recognised NGO ‘Brotherhood’ and with the support of UNESCO and UN Information Centre.

Various national and international films were screened during the festival.

Speaking about the Festival, Chief Guest, Navika Kumar, Managing Editor, Times Now, said, ‘‘The biggest disability lies only in our minds. The though-provoking films screened at the festival have been able to rekindle our empathy towards differentlyabled people and showcase that persons with disabilities live the same sort of full and independent lives as others.”

Guest of Honor, Ira Singhal, IAS Officer, Deputy Commissioner, North Delhi Municipal Corporation and the First Differently Abled Woman to Top Civil Services from General Category, emphasised the importance of being conscious as a Society towards the Environment we create for differently abled people. She said, ‘‘It is the little things that we do that can significantly make a difference in the lives of differently abled – either in a positive or negative manner. In fact, it is our duty to create an atmosphere that is conducive to them realising their full potential.’’

The festival saw enthusiastic participation from differently abled persons in a special photography exhibition by Pranav Lal, a visually impaired photographer. Lal said, ‘‘Digital Technology is an effective driver to pursuing my Passion of Photography. Today, I can perceive without seeing and can capture subjects with the help of sounds.’’

Special performances by differently-abled students from Punerutthan Trust were also showcased.

Professor Sajal Mukherjee, Director, Apeejay Institute feels proud to be associated with this festival. “Since its inception at AIMC, we have been seeing increasingly widespread participation from students of various schools and Universities across NCR.”

The event will go until today (November 8).