Cineaste International Film Festival (Australian Film Showcase Segment)
History
Location
DME Theatre and Studios
Start date
2019-04-17
End date
2019-04-20
Language
English
Notes
The Cineaste International Film Festival of India (CIFFI) was jointly organized by Deakin University, Australia and Delhi Metropolitan Education (DME), Noida, India. The aim of the film festival was to showcase films from Australia and India and create a network of film professionals and students under the newly formed Australia India Film Practitioners and Researchers Network (led by Vikrant Kishore – Deakin, Australia and Ambrish Saxena – Delhi Metropolitan Education, India). A special Australian Film Segment was curated by Dr Vikrant Kishore in partnership with An Australian Film Initiative led by Anupam Sharma. http://ciffi.dme.ac.in
Research statement
Background
CIFFI showcased films from Australia & India to create a network of film practitioners and students, & various “possibilities for interaction & communication” among audience & filmmakers (Bosma, p.76, 2015). As a curator, I selected eight Australian films, that provided an insight to Australia’s creative industry, storytelling, & engagement with multi-cultural issues. This offered fresh perspectives for the Indian audiences, as Australian films screenings are scarce, and opportunities to discuss the work negligible in India. The panel discussion deliberated on the lack of diversity in Indian and Australian cinema, and how film relations can be strengthened. CIFFI attempts to remove the barrier that creates cinema elitism, and create a platform for film practitioners, academics and students from India and Australia to watch, discuss, analyse, and appreciate work from the two countries.
Contribution
As per Dina Iordanova’s (2010) curatorial purpose, ours was very clear cut as a ‘tool for cultural diplomacy’, to bring attention to Australian cinema, to foster creative collaboration, cultural understanding and awareness, and networking. The curated segment contributed to creating an awareness, and nurturing interest among the Indian audience regarding Australian cinema.
This festival, also prompted me to look at the misrepresentation of Australia in Bollywood, mainly with a touristic gaze, and how many aspiring international students from India, are misled to think of Australia as a white only nation, and a country where they will become successful instantly (an oft-repeated plot/theme in Bollywood cinema).
Significance
Filmmaker Anupam Sharma and Vikrant Kishore were part of a special skype Q&A focusing on Indian content creation in Australia, which saw around 150 audience participation. We were surprised that many aspiring to do their future studies in Australia attended this festival segment to get an understanding of Australian film industry.
Publication classification
JC3 Curated Exhibition or Event – Festival
Scale
NTRO Minor
Extent
Film Festival
Event
Cineaste Film Festival of India! (2019 : Noida, India)
Publisher
Delhi Metropolitan Education and Deakin University