Phum Shang bags film award
Source: The Sangai Express / Express News Service
Kochi, October 26 2015:
Curtains came down on the SiGNS Film Festival- 2015 here on Sunday at a function attended by eminent film personalities.
'Kapila' by Sanju Surendran won the Best Documentary Award, and 'Kamakshi' by Satinder Singh Bedi bagged the Best Short Fiction Film Award.
The Cinema of Resistance Award went to Manipuri film 'Phum Shang' by Haobam Paban Kumar, and 'Cinema Experiments to Magic Print' by Sachin Sasi.
The Best Biopic Award went to Anwar Ali's 'Maruvili', a film on poet Attoor Ravivarma.
Akhila Henry's 'Gruhapravesha' and Meena Longjam's 'Auto Driver' received the jury's special mention.
At the closing ceremony, which was chaired by KR Mohanan, SiGNS artistic director, CS Venkiteswaran presented the festival report.
Commenting on the quality and variety of films that came before the jury, jury chairperson Deepa Dhanraj in her jury report stressed the need to create more platforms like SiGNS for short and documentary filmmakers.
VK Joseph, secretary of the Federation of Film Societies, emphasised on the need for more festivals like SiGNS to showcase young talent.
The festival, which began on October 21, featured around 140 films in various categories including Competition, Focus, Cinema of Performance, Cinema of Resistance and Artists Cinema.
It also featured seminars and open forums.
The closing ceremony began with a statement condemning atrocities and violence against dalits in various parts of the country.
Filmmaker Amal Neerad and actor Anumol also attended the function.
Kochi Muziris Biennale, chairman Bose Krishanamachari offered felicitations and Anoop Varma proposed vote of thanks.