Captivating narratives await: Greater Noida Short Film Festival-2023 highlights
Galgotias University hosted “Greater Noida Short Film Festival 2023” in association with Prerna Shodh Sansthan on 26th and 27th August, 2023. Eminent personalities like actor, singer and politician Manoj Tiwari, actress and writer Supriya Shukla, Actor Gajendra Singh Chauhan and director Akashaditya Lama were present during the event.
The two day celebration of festival started on 26th August by lightning the auspicious lamp and with the introduction of jury members and guests. After the felicitation of the guests, Dr. A.R. Pandey, Head, Department of Mass Communication gave welcome speech and provided a brief idea about how the two-day long event will unfold.
After this, host Pallavi Singh welcomed famous actor Gajendra Chahuhan who is popularly known for playing the role of ‘Yudhishthira’ in the epic television series “Mahabharat”(1988-90). He delivered a short speech and express his gratitude for being invited to the film festival and how artists play an important role in shaping up the future of coming generation .
The next keynote speech was delivered by Director Akashaditya Lama who is well known for writing screenplay for films like "Lahore". He went on emphasizing the importance of bringing authentic voices and reviving the Indian culture on screen.
Upnext Popular television actress Supriya Shukla addressed the audience and shared her more than two decade long experiences on television screen. Keeping in mind the subject of the festival she addressed how a short film should deliver its message in a short span of time.
The event further continued with the presidential address by Prof. Renu Luthra, advisor to Chancellor and former Vice chancellor. Her short and eloquent speech inspired the young minds sitting in the audience. She talked about the impact of the movies in the society and how 'the media can act as instrument of the change'.
After the key note session an hour long masterclass on filmmaking was taken by Gajendra Chauhan where he emphasised on how bollywood films represent our society. The first day of the event ended with thought provoking session by eminent personalities.
The second day started with the felicitation of guests like Justice R.B. Sharma, Prof. J.S. Rajput, Dr. Mayank Agarwal, and IAS Amar Nath Upadhyay followed by their key note speeches.
After all the keynote speeches by esteemed dignitaries it was time for the workshop by Akashaditya Lama. In his one and half hour long workshop Lama reminisced his early days and how his journey of filmmaking started. He emphasized on the importance of training oneself in order to become a director, actor or writer.
Along with the workshops selected short films were screened consecutively in two different auditoriums.
Another masterclass on film scripting was conducted by renowned actor Supriya Shukla. In her interactive masterclass she shared how she started her journey in the realm of television and films and how her works impacted the lives of various people for the better.
Thereafter a break the university welcomed the renowned actor, singer and politician Manoj Tiwari. He started his masterclass by stating the significance of short films and cinema can act as mirror of society. He further encouraged the students to make films in their own regional language to promote their own culture.
After the completion of the masterclass, the two day long celebration ended with the cultural performances by the students of Galgotias University and further on with the award ceremony where best films were awarded with cash prizes and trophies.