Ranjit Thakur
PANJIM, Nov 24: The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) concluded its Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) initiative, providing a platform for budding filmmakers to display their skills and creativity. The event culminated with the 48-Hour Filmmaking Challenge, where participants produced short films on the theme “Relationships in the Age of Technology.”
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This year, Gullu, directed by Arshaly Jose, won the Best Film award for its unique portrayal of the relationship between humans and technology through an invisible mobile phone. The runner-up film was We Hear the Same Music. Pushpendra Kumar (Gullu) was awarded Best Actor, while Vishakha Nair (Lovepix Subscription) received the Best Actress award. The Best Script award went to Adhiraj Bose for Lovepix Subscription.
The CMOT program, which has become a key platform for nurturing future filmmakers, expanded significantly this year. It included 100 participants from across India, up from 75 last year. These participants, selected from over 1,070 entries, were trained across 13 filmmaking disciplines.
Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, praised the participants’ efforts, saying, “Creating impactful films in just 48 hours is a remarkable achievement. Every participant here is a winner.” Actor AmitSadh also commended IFFI for offering young talent opportunities to learn and grow.
The films were created at 12 locations within a 4-kilometer radius of Panjim under tight deadlines, testing the teams’ resilience and creativity. Mentorship was provided by CMOT alumni, including ChidanandaNaik, Akhil Lotlikar, and AkshitaVohra.
The initiative was supported by UK-based Shorts International, which managed the entire production process. Shorts International’s founder, Carter Pilcher, praised the participants for their outstanding storytelling and creativity.
By offering a unique platform like CMOT, IFFI continues to serve as a launchpad for aspiring filmmakers, strengthening its role in fostering India’s next generation of cinema talent.
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