23 April,2009 09:10 AM IST | | Kasmin Fernandes
Simona Terron with Italian artist Dyana Linda who spray painted bikes at a workshop for The Bicycle Project
Make a 2-minute film on bicycles and children, and intern with established directors or direct a movie with film and TV actors through a new contest
"Anyone across the globe can make a two-minute short in any format on any story that excites them. The only criterion is that you include children and bicycles in it," says Simona Terron from The Bicycle Project, which has announced a short film contest in association with the film club, Shamiana. The five best entries will be screened at Shamiana and other film clubs in May, while the winning entry will be screened at the River To River Florence Indian Film Festival in Italy this December. Also, the filmmaker adjudged Best Director will have the opportunity to direct a film with professional actors that will be produced by Shamiana.
The idea came to Simona when she met Cyrus Dastur from Shamiana at the Kala Ghoda Festival this February. She had started The Bicycle Project (www.thebicycleproject.blogspot.com) with Hemant and Sangeeta Chhabra last Diwali, inspired by next generation rural school kids who walk 2-7 km a day to get an education. "We collect old bicycles, which are probably of little use to their owners and lie rusting on the terrace or behind the garage. After giving these bikes a new lease of life, we deliver them to the village kids in and around Mumbai," she says. So far, they have collected over 60 bikes which they distributed to the kids this Republic Day. This competition is another way to raise awareness. So, whether you shoot the film on your mobile phone or handycam, you'll be doing your bit for deserving kids through the magic of film.
Deadline for entries is May 5.
Send the film on DVD or VCD to: Two Plus Productions, 209, Himalaya House, Palton Road, Mumbai - 400001. For details, email shamianashorts@gmail.com or call Viniet on 9892522299
