The Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, M.Venkaiah Naidu, has said that the new-age cinema from the BRICS nations speak to a wider audience with socially relevant themes and are not afraid of communicate in the way they desire. This inspires young film makers to make films that are not only entertaining but also enlightening. As a powerful medium it sends across the right message that can counter the negativity emerging from acts of terrorism worldwide.
Films have sparked national consciousness and helped in channelising the energies of youth in social reconstruction and nation-building. The Minister stated this at the closing ceremony of the First BRICS Film Festival.
Elaborating further, Naidu said that a specially curated BRICS section would form part of the India International Film Festival from this year onwards which would become a regular feature in the future editions of IFFI.To promote India as filming destination, the Government is actively considering signing co-production agreements with Russia and South Africa, having signed similar agreements with Brazil and China.
The Minister also proposed that setting up institutional mechanisms for regular collaboration between film archives of the member countries would also be beneficial as it would ensure exchange of information on preservation of our filmic heritage. He mentioned that the BRICS countries can explore the possibility of having a formal mechanism for student exchange programmes among the leading film institutes of our countries.
Regarding the institutionalised mechanism of promoting of India as a soft power, Naidu said the diverse topography of India offers a variety of locales for shooting of films round the year. In addition to this, India is home to one of the most vibrant and highly skilled film industry. The Government has taken several steps to create a conducive environment for shooting films in India by international filmmakers. One such step is setting up of Film Facilitation Office under National Film Development Corporation. BRICS film directors could take this opportunity to explore possibilities on shooting their films in India.
The Kannada Movie Thithi from India was awarded the Best Film by the Jury members. The Special Jury award went to the Brazilian film Between Valleys. Huo Jianqi from China was awarded the Best Director award for Xuan Chang. Thabo Rametsi from South Africa was awarded the Best Actor (male) award for Kalushi (The Story of Solomon Mahlangu) and Ms Yulia Peresild from Russia was awarded the Best Actor (Female) award for her role in the movie Battle for Sevastopol. The jury also recommended Special Mention awards to Songs of the Phoenix from China and 14+ from Russia.