Team Herald
PANJIM: The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) has stated that it was overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm shown by students, filmmakers, delegates of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the general public of Goa towards the package of films by FTII students. The screenings were organized in response to the scrapping of the students’ section at ongoing IFFI.
Around 20 films made by students and recent graduates of FTII were screened over the last two days. The screenings were attended by over 250 people who engaged with the students regarding their films, the issues being faced by them regarding harassment by local police, and the larger FTII issues against, which the students have been protesting for over five months now.
“The audience reiterated their support and solidarity with the students and unequivocally condemned the imposition of Section 144 around the festival venue, which they termed as unprecedented, coercive and completely contradictory to the spirit of a festival. All present showed concern at the constant harassment of FTII students at the IFFI venue as well as in the institute at Pune. They felt that heavy police presence, as well as the scrapping of student films and subsequent arrest of students and ex-students defy the very spirit of festival, which is supposed to be a celebration of cinema,” said the FTII in a press note issued on Wednesday.
Noted filmmakers like Saeed Mirza, who is also the ex-chairman of FTII, Rakesh Sharma and R V Ramani also attended the festival.
Mirza stated, “I am here for the students and I believe they are fighting an important battle, not only for themselves but for all of us.”
Sharma appealed to other filmmakers attending IFFI to boycott the festival until the charges against the ex-students are dropped and harassment of the students stops at the festival venue.
Ramani praised the student for their courage and determination and proposed that an alternative festival be held every year.
“We are humbled by the response and support shown by the people of Goa .We would like to convey our most sincere and heartfelt gratitude to every person who is raising their concern. We appeal to all filmmakers, students and IFFI delegates to use every platform available to raise their voice against the systematic exclusion of students from the festival and the mishandling of FTII students by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,” read the press note.
