The Filmy Kaafila Film Festival, held yesterday at Jamia Hamdard University, was a monumental event that successfully brought together cinema lovers, filmmakers, and thought leaders to discuss, celebrate, and reflect on the power of film in addressing social issues.
With close to 300 attendees, the festival featured 13 impactful films by budding filmmakers from underserved backgrounds, each shedding light on pressing social concerns, and was graced by eminent guest speakers and industry professionals.
Over 111 years ago on a similar cold winter morning on the 29th of December, 1913 Cecil DeMille started filming Hollywood’s first feature film, The Squaw Man.
Widely regarded as the founding father of American cinema, Cecile remains the most commercially successful producer-director in film history with many of his works dominating the box office three or four at a time.
This festival is a celebration of not just the craft of cinema but also of the indomitable spirit of these young feisty voices which dare to dream big!
The event was honoured by the presence of guest speakers, including:
● Supriya Suri, Creative Entrepreneur & Artist. Founder – Creative Economic Forum, @cinedarbaar & #maisonsu
● Dr Samir Kapur, Director, Adfactors PR
● Shaukat Mufti, Registrar and Founder Member Jamia Hamdard
● Imrana Khan, Partner-Director, Dusty Foot Production
● Professor Sushil Jagiyani, Executive/ Leadership Coach and Senior Team Development Facilitator
● Smriti Singh, multiple international awards winning director, producer, writer
● Yash Vardhan Jain, acclaimed filmmaker
The Film Kaafila Film Festival was curated by author, filmmaker and award winning academician Professor Farhat Basir Khan, whose dedication and vision brought together filmmakers and thinkers from across the country to share their work and ideas. Professor Khan emphasised the role of film in not only educating audiences but also in challenging societal norms and inspiring action by deepening democracy.
Filmart Production, with the generous support of Manzil, was the organising force behind the event, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all attendees. The festival provided an important platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work and for audiences to engage in meaningful dialogue about the critical issues facing our world today.
“The overwhelming response to this year’s festival is a testament to the growing interest in socially relevant cinema,” said Professor Farhat Basir Khan, Curator of the Film Kaafila Film Festival. “With the collaboration of Filmart Production and Manzil, we at Jamia, hope to continue creating spaces where filmmakers and audiences who did not get platforms can come together to explore social issues through the lens of film.”
ALSO READ
Munna Khalid’s journey to stardom in sports world
The Filmy Kaafila Film Festival is a collaboration among: Hamdard Learning and Welfare Society (HLWS); Manzil, youth-led non-profit, FilmArt and Manzil Media Lab.
About Filmy Kaafila Film Festival:
The Filmy Kaafila Film Festival, an initiative by FilmArt and Manzil Media Lab, aims to showcase the talents of young filmmakers from underserved communities. The festival serves as a platform for emerging voices to highlight pressing social issues and engage with industry professionals. Through this initiative, we continue to empower the next generation of storytellers, encouraging creativity and positive change.
ALSO WATCH
