The classroom session of the workshop from December 19 to 23, 2012 was followed by a 15 day filmmaking period in which participants were divided into two teams to make films on two different ideas pitched by the participants themselves. ‘Why I Exist?’ and ‘Interlude’ directed by the third batch of Young Cuts were screened alongside ‘Niyuddha’ and ‘The Stranger’ which were directed by the participants of second batch of the workshop. [break]
Apart from this, ‘Akasmik Labh’ or Serendipity directed by the director of Onion Films Govinda Siwakoti was also screened at the event. The film was financed by the proceedings collected from their Mini Film Project which funds young filmmakers with their ‘Donate Re 1 and be a movie producer’ campaign.
Manoj Pandit, well-known for his documentary and feature film ventures including the recently released Badhshala; and Rajesh Gongaju, President of the Federation of Film Societies of Nepal and Secretary of International Federation of Film Societies critiqued the five short films screened during the event.
Pandit, who wasn’t impressed with the first four films, said he appreciated Siwakoti’s efforts at humor in ‘Akasmik Labh’. “Filmmakers shouldn’t stray away from the narrative storytelling no matter what; also we’ve seeing a lot of dark themes lately. Somebody should start the trend to bring beautiful aspects of life and living onto the screen,” he said.
Similalrly, Gongaju who has chaired various national and international juries said, “Every time somebody outside Nepal asks me what the specialty of my country is, I tell them about the diversity that exists here. There are so many good stories in each of our villages, we should stop with the redundant storyline and medium of storytelling and bring forth these interesting stories for everyone to watch.”
The screening was followed by certificate distribution program in which Pandit handed over certificates to the recent graduates of Young Cuts.
Related story
Short Films for better cinematic experience
