12 January,2011 07:48 AM IST | | Debarati Palit
Youngsters studying in arts, science, commerce flock to PIFF to get a feel of world cinema and keep track of latest technology in animation
College students are turning up in large numbers to watch the films being screened at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF). It is not just film students but students from commerce, arts, animation, and science stream have either taken permissions from their college authorities or are catching up with the films during their free time.
An attendant at the E-square multiplex said that the morning and afternoon crowd mostly included youngsters aged between 17 and 21 years. "I am here since day one and have been seeing lots of young people. But the morning show has the maximum crowd.
Students said that the films are not only entertaining, but also give them a wider view of world cinema.
Noopur Pandit, a biotechnology student from University of Pune, said: "This is my second time at the PIFF and I am quite enjoying it. The films shown here are very different from commercial cinema."
Another student from the science stream of UOP said: "I have been watching a good mix of international and Indian films. Though some of the Indian films are slow-paced, they are good. Because my holidays are on, I can catch up with many films; last year I had to bunk a few classes to watch these films."
Students have even taken special permission from their college authorities to watch the films and they believe it is worth the effort.
Abhay Chougule, a student of art from the Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya, said he was enjoying the festival. "The common notion is that young people do not enjoy festival films which do not have the masala formula. This is untrue. I have enjoyed each film that I have watched so far."
Ruchita Bhujwal, a student of animation from FC College, said animation students required to keep track of international films and the latest technologies. "I am watching only international films. We get an idea about the cinematography and quality of these films."
The number of registrations has gone up this year. Last year, it was 6,000. The organisers were targetting to cross 8,000 this year. Sources said they had already crossed 9,000.
Jabbar Patel, director of PIFF said that the average age of participants was 21, which was very suprising.
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"There is new energy in the films in terms of filmmakers and audience. Even if you look at the films, Marathi or international, it is either the director's first or second film."u00a0
