These days there’s an abundance
of short and mobile film makers looking for ways to get their films noticed at
film festivals. Thinking ‘Out of the Box’ to provide them a platform with
global audiences viewing at the same time, Shunyatam International Film
Festival (Shunfest) was redesigned as a Hybrid film festival. A part of a
multi-platform initiative to increase the reach and visibility of independent
films, and to provide a showcase for diverse storytelling that inspires and engages,
Shunyatam International Film Festival will be simultaneously held physically
(Offline) as well will be available Online via digital platforms, including
YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook and the like.
Awards & Prizes are given in
as many as 21 award categories that include Best Feature Film, Best Independent
Film, Best Short Film, Best Animation Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Music
Video, Best Web Series, and Best LGBT Film in the main category. In the
technical category, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best DOP and Best
Music will be awarded where the winners will carry home a Trophy at a
glittering Film Awards Ceremony. Apart from these awards, there will be a ‘Best
of the Fest’ trophy to the most promising Film maker. All participants will
receive a digital Participation Certificate, ready for print, which can be
printed anywhere. Only the winners in are eligible for trophies.
Why do we want to do it Hybrid?
It's simple. There is a great need for it. With the growing technologies, the
world in indeed "coming closer" online as well as offline. While audiences
are intrigued by films from around the world, not all can travel to the
festival venue to catch the wonderful films that are screened. It will also
give a wider reach to the film makers as it will also get them the audience where
the film cannot travel.
“The world of film making is
changing, and filmmakers can make as much of an impact on small screens as they
do on big screens. Also the media for watching films have been changing as
there are a lot of mediums that are offering them the viewing pleasure at their
own time and space. This gave us the impetus and idea of having a Hybrid Film
Festival (Online as well as Offline) where we can get more audiences for these
films. And thus Shunyatam International Film Festival was re-designed to associate
with a digital platform and inspire the makers to bring in the best of stories
and characters from across the world. It also challenges us to elevate the
breadth and depth of innovative storytelling through our Hybrid Film Festival
in today’s tough times when coming together is maintained at a distance,” said
Mahua Majumdar, Chief Digital & Marketing Officer and the Festival
Director.”
So what are you waiting for? Send
in your original films or the most technical one. Send in drama, comedy,
horror, thriller, dark or humanity based, period or LGBT, each one is accepted
as we love films and we love originality. We love our Indian roots and we love
our world exposure. We love Indian films and we love global cinema. Don’t wait
further! Send in your entries right away and get it showcased at the best
digital platform where your inspiring films get their due - only at Shunyatam
International Film Festival.
