EYEING CINEMA BEHIND THE BARS- THREE DAYS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
SHIMLA WILL SCREEN FILMS AT MODEL CENTRAL JAIL KANDA AND NAHAN FOR PRISONERS
हिमाचल न्यूज़ डेली (Himachal News Daily)
Shimla, September 8, 2023. The scenic hills of Shimla will come alive with cinematic magic as the Three Days International Film Festival of Shimla opens its doors to film enthusiasts from around the world. Likewise, its previous five editions International Film Festival of Shimla is going to have an unusual screening of its 9th edition at Model Central Jail Kanda and Nahan. These are another two venue of the three days International Film Festival of Shimla to be held from 22 to 24 September 2023 at Gaiety Theatre Shimla. This is for the sixth time IFFS is having three different venues of the event and idea behind these two more venues is to bridge the gap of inside world and outside world through cinema and nurture the creativity of the prisoners.
By promoting such activities and involving the jail inmates with the world outside, IFFS intends to motivate the prisoners who are struggling to find their place in the world. In jails they live in isolation from world outside and it adds to depression and fear of getting institutionalized behind the walls and bars of the prison.
Pushp Raj Thakur, Festival Director, IFFS, expressed his excitement about this year’s festival, stating, “We are thrilled to expand our festival to these unconventional venues. Remembering the valuable words of Mahatma Gandhi ‘Hate the sin not sinner. It’s an opportunity to bring the magic of cinema to unexpected places and engage with audiences in a meaningful way. They truly deserve opportunities to explore outside world and there is no better way than cinema that can show various glimpses of contemporary society, creative elements of existing lives of people and it can make the inmates revamp their own sense of learning and creativity.”
The Three Days International Film Festival of Shimla has always been a prestigious event on the cultural calendar, celebrating the art of cinema from both India and abroad. The addition of Model Central Jail Kanda and Nahan as screening venues marks a significant step forward in promoting inclusivity and art appreciation within unconventional spaces. Model Central Jail Kanda and Nahan will host screenings, creating a unique atmosphere where the bars and walls of the jail will merge with the creative boundaries of cinema. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to interact with inmates, bridging the gap between society and the incarcerated, and gaining a unique perspective on life within the confines of a jail. The festival will feature a diverse selection of films from 20 countries and 24 states, including shorts, documentaries, and feature films, offering a captivating array of cinematic experiences to the audience.
The Three Days International Film Festival of Shimla is an annual event organised by Himalayan velocity in association with Ministry of Information and broadcasting and Language Art and Culture deptt of GoHP, that celebrates the art of cinema from around the world. It provides a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work and engage with a diverse audience. The festival aims to promote cultural exchange and inclusivity through the medium of film. To know more detail about 9th International Film Festival of Shimla you can log on to our website www.iffs.in
