[Reader-list] 13-17Feb2007: ViBGYOR International Short and Documentary Festival

[Anivar Aravind]

(With the usual apologies for cross posting)

Dear friends,

The Third Edition of ViBGYOR International Film Festival for Short &
Documentary films will be inaugurated on February 13, 2008 in Peechi, in
the Pananchery village panchayath, some 10 miles away from Thrissur, the
cultural capital of Kerala State in India. `Celebrating identitites and
diversity’ is the central theme of ViBGYOR Festival. The environmental
focus for the year 2008 is ENERGY. We also have chosen `EASTERN INDIA as
the Region focus for 2008.

This 5-day fiesta of films, music and cultural expressions is more of a
get-together of peoples’movements, students, scholars, filmmakers and
artists. It’s Mazhavilmela (rainbow-feast), a celebration of harmony and
affirmation of alternative and multi-lateral political stances.

http://2008.vibgyorfilm.com

WHAT to look forward?
==================

Festival from the people:
++++++++++++++++++
During ViBGYOR-07 we had introduced `Festival from the People’,
organizing parallel film screenings and interactions with filmmakers at
some 5 centres of Pananchery panchayath, 10 miles away from the main
festival venue in Trichur town. In 2008 we have planned `Festival from
the People’, inaugurating the Festival at Peechi in Pananchery
panchayath, on February 13th at 5.30pm. All dignitaries, filmmakers and
delegates coming to ViBGYOR will attend the inaugural function in
Peechi. The intention is to offset the importance of towns and cities
where there are n number of film festivals and cultural extravaganza
that reach only a cross-section of the population. We wish to ensure
that ViBGYOR reaches those ordinary people in the suburbs and villages,
whose life and struggles are portrayed in most of the films that are
showcased at our festival.

Campus ViBGYOR:
+++++++++++++++
In the same spirit of Village ViBGYOR, this year we are introducing a
Campus ViBGYOR series, a project to reach-out college and high school
students and sensitize them to the pertinent issues of our society and
environment through documentary films. We are hoping to arrange a
full/half day screening programme in 5 colleges/schools in and around
Trichur town. At least one filmmaker who attends ViBGYOR Festival in the
town will be invited to each college, show his/her work along with other
films and interact with the student community. We are sure this exercise
will be enriching both to the filmmakers and students as well.

Music NIGHTs:
+++++++++++
At least one night of open air screening and cultural expressions have
been always an essential part of the alternate film festivals we have
been organizing since 2004. As ViBGYOR enters into its third edition,
the NIGHT festival is becoming an exuberant celebration with films,
music, skits etc, a celebration that begins in the evening and might end
next morning! At ViBGYOR-08 we will have two Music Nights, on February
14th & 16th, the focus will be music videos from around the world that
tell the story of resistance, struggles and small victories.

Mini Conferences:
+++++++++++++
We will not have a Full day National Conference during the ViBGYOR
Festival; that is planned in January at Thiruvananthapuram as a curtain
raiser event. Instead, during the festival in February, we are planning
Mini Conferences of 3-4 hours duration under the intiative and
leadership of the partner organizations of the ViBGYOR Collective. The
themes for the conferences held parallel to the screenings will be
`Gender & Sexuality’, `Sustainable Energy in the context of Global
climatic changes’ and such topics that are of paramount importance to
ViBGYOR.

Film Workshop:
+++++++++++
A 2-day Film workshop is arranged during ViBGYOR-08, intended mainly for
the young filmmakers, but all are welcome! Different aspects of
filmmaking and distribution will be discussed by experts from the filed.
Renowned Malayalam film director Shyamaprasad is the Workshop Director.

Media Exhibition:
++++++++++++
As ViBGYOR is becoming a meaningful space for promoting alternate and
politically sensitive films, we are also trying to use the annual
festival as an important platform for filmmakers to promote and sell
their films. Apart from the film market, we will have different NGOs and
agencies displaying books, posters and other campaign materials.


Hope to meet you all at ViBGYOR 2008

Anivar Aravind
ViBGYOR Collective