Cinema Paradiso

This Wednesday, six award-winning short children's films by emerging filmmakers will be screened. Subjects range from a duo helping a friend overcome his grief of losing his mother, to a mother, son and a puppy taking a walk. Watch experimental movie making at its best, and chat with the directors over a cup of teau00a0

Sometime earlier this year, a film festival for children was held in Akola. While the festival organisers of Filmi Chashma managed only school auditoriums in other cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal and Delhi, they secured a multiplex at the tiny town in Vidarbha district, Maharashtra. Entry was free, the films were exempted from entertainment tax, the multiplex made a killing on popcorn, and the children had a rollicking time.u00a0

There was a minor impediment -- not many understood English and regional language dialogues, and were unable to read subtitles. But that was easily dealt with. A man stood near the screen, mouthing the dialogues in Hindi and explained a scene.

The festival was part of Filmi Chashma's attempt at creating a culture of media-viewing in education. Other than holding festivals, the group, which is part of NGO Comet Media, held workshops for aspiring filmmakers and teachers.

Many of the short films screened here were in the running for the 2011 Filmi Chashma Awards jointly constituted with Children's Film Society of India. In all, 41 entries were received, and six were selected.
These six short films will be showcased in Mumbai this Wednesday. All of them deal with diverse subjects, often serious and grim, yet from a child's perspective.

In Sitaron Se Aage (10 min), filmmaker Manuja Tyagi tells an inspiring story of two children trying to distract their friend's mind from the grief of having lost his mother. They say she has become a star and they will be able to identify her but only after learning how to do so through a visit to the planetarium. The three then set out to gather money for the entry fee.

Another interesting short film to be screened is Khel Khel Mein (8 min, see box). Conceptualised by Delhi-based Mahima Kaur who runs Dreaming Child Productions (which holds children's workshops), 12 children made the film -- actors, director and script writer, included. "They were given the brief of making a short film on the idea of jealousy and friendship. Not only did they learn a lot, they also made a great film," says Kaur.

"There is very little cinema for children in India, apart from the occasional Taare Zameen Pe and Mr India," says Chandita Mukherjee, director, Filmi Chashma. According to Mukherjee, CFSI has in the last few years made good children's films, but they are not available to the public.u00a0Mukherjee adds, "Hopefully, with awards and screenings like these, more people will get to see such films."

At: 3 pm to 6 pm, July 13, Little Theatre, NCPA, NCPA Marg, Nariman Point
Call: 66223737

The line-up
Khel Khel Mein
A story about the friendship between two girls, which takes a dark turn when one gets jealous of the other.

Sitaron se Aage
A child's perspective on coping with death and grief.

Ekti Kaktaliya Golpo
A boy, pressured by his mother for better marks, lives in his own imagination.

Chatkhaara
A story based on the tongue twister, chandu ki chachi.

Metamorphosis
The heart-warming story of a boy, his mother and a puppy on an ordinary afternoon.