Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 27: In a moment of pride for J&K, the documentary ‘Only if the Baby Cries’ has won prestigious Best Short Film Award at 28th ‘Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival’.
This Indian film, based on the lives of deaf and mute individuals in Doda’s remote Dhadkai village, stood out among 22 films in Short Joy competition, bringing international acclaim to the region.
Directed by Shadab Farooq, the documentary captures unique experiences of Dhadkai’s residents, a village with a significant population of deaf and dumb people. The film offers a touching portrayal of resilience and community.
Anzer Ayoob, who served as Location Manager and Researcher, ensured that the story remained authentic and true to the heart of the village.
“This film is a tribute to the strength and spirit of Dhadkai’s people,” said Ayoob adding: “We are overjoyed that this story, which is so close to us, has found recognition on an international stage.”
The documentary ‘Only if the Baby Cries’ is not just a cinematic achievement but a cultural milestone also for J&K.
The documentary provides a rare glimpse into the lives of those often unheard, both literally and metaphorically and brought global attention to the beauty and complexity of life in Doda.
The Film Festival opened with ‘Ms. President’, directed by Marek Šulík and celebrated a variety of films from across the globe.
Other significant awards in the event included Best Documentary Book award for ‘If I am to Die, Let it Be a Story, about Palestinian women living in the Czech Republic’ and the Respekt Magazine Award for ‘A Bridge Between Lives’, which covered the evacuation of people from war-torn Ukraine.
The documentary is currently available for viewing on the Dafilms platform until November 2nd, giving viewers a chance to experience the powerful storytelling that won over the international jury.
For the documentary, Shadab Farooq was director, Sahib Syed Goni, cinematographer, Caster Rinoy Gomez, designer and mixer, Anzer Ayoob, location manager and researcher, Aparna Sanyal, executive producer and Rajiv Mehrotra, producer.
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