The Raipur International Film Festival (RIFF) is undergoing a journey of its own and is not blindly copying some mega International film festivals, opined Subhash Mishra, the founder of RIFF here on Tuesday.
Talking to The Pioneer on the backdrop of short film screening session during the ongoing festival, he said that RIFF is creating a stage in this part of India for bridging the gap between good film and filmmakers and audiences.
“There are scores of good films that do not reach multiplexes. About the same amount of money is required to release a film what is invested in creating it. So where will a film with little budget goIJ How will they reach the audienceIJ Festivals like ours are playing an important role in bridging this gap,” Mishra said.
Recalling his experiences after the first RIFF he said: “Raghu Rai had told me that reach of cinema is bigger as compared to the drama so you should continue with this festival.”
The response of first RIFF was overwhelming; even people in Goa Film festival recognised our efforts that convinced us to keep it going, he mentioned.
According to Mishra, even people from Mumbai came up with an exceptional response.
“Actor Manav Kaul had even proposed for extending financial assistance. He and other very sensible artists like Ketan Mehta had expressed profound happiness over the programme,” he said.
Replying over the impact RIFF could have on ‘Chhollywood’ the Chhattisgarhi film industry he said the effects are already visible.
“A film appreciation course conducted few days prior to the festival had seen good participation from people working in Chhollywood. After the course, they (participants) had expressed that they had never taken cinema so seriously.”
The film is a visual medium and people grow by showing. Here they are getting to see some fine cinema of Girish Kasarvalli, Paresh Kamdar, and others. Earlier, they had only masala movies like Bajrangi Bhaijan, Mishra pointed out.
Over international films being screened here, he informed that this year RIFF was focused on Iranian Cinema.
“We have earlier screened cinemas from SAARC countries in Raipur,” he said while adding that the festival is also helping in a better branding of Raipur city.