The festival concluded with the screening of the internationally acclaimed film ‘Shepherds of the Glacier’ by renowned Ladakhi filmmaker Stanzin Dorjai.
Ladakhi filmmakers Stanzin Tankong and Stanzin Gurmet, and three short films were honored at the inaugural edition of the Himalayan Film Festival, with Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur continuing the film gala as an annual event to showcase the talent of the Himalayan region. strongly emphasized.
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The five-day event culminated on Tuesday night at the Indus Culture Center in Leh, Ladakh.
The function was presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh as the chief guest. An official spokesperson said that Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India (GoI), Apoorva Chandra and noted filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra were the special guests.
While Tankong’s acclaimed film “Secool” won the Best Story award, Gurmet’s “Shady: A Forgotten Land” won the Best Editing award. Four award winning entries were screened in the concluding session.
The award for the best three short films was received by “The Tented Mirror” (Mitillon/Manipur), “Go for Organic” and “Homework and Godliness”, who were awarded a cash prize of Rs 3.5 lakh.
The festivities concluded with the screening of the internationally acclaimed film “Shepherdess of the Glaciers” by renowned Ladakhi filmmaker Stanzin Dorjai.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mathur expressed happiness over the success of the Mahotsav and said that it should continue as an annual event. For better training of local film aspirants, the Lt Governor said that the administration is working towards tying up with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, to provide courses in Ladakh.
“Apart from creativity, technology has an important role to play in the contemporary film industry and one must become a professional,” he said. Appreciating the talent and creativity of the youth of Ladakh, Mathur said that they should aim to conquer the world on their own terms and rooted in their culture.
Expressing his love for the Ladakhi folktale ‘Gyalam-Kesar’, the lieutenant governor said that he hoped that someday it would be adapted into a motion picture.
Addressing the gathering, Tashi Gyalsan, President, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh expressed the hope of local filmmakers to make it big in Bollywood.
Gyalson also urged the veteran filmmakers of Ladakh to encourage budding filmmakers to explore the film industry with their talent and fulfill their potential.
Chandra, Secretary, I&B, Government of India appreciated the maiden effort of the Administration of Ladakh in successfully organizing the first edition of the Himalaya Film Festival.
He also suggested the idea of organizing a national level festival on short films to encourage aspiring filmmakers from smaller regions like Ladakh. Chandra requested the administration to draft a film policy and provide incentives to filmmakers to shoot in Ladakh. He assured all possible help from MIB to the filmmakers of Ladakh.
Filmmaker Mehra, known for “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” and “Rang De Basanti”, suggested making the mobile gala an international affair in the future. He offered to invite interns from Ladakh to his production house, saying he was willing to spend a month in the union territory every year to provide skill training to aspiring filmmakers.
Earlier in the day, an ‘in-conversation session’ with Bollywood actor Kirti Kulhari was one of the highlights of the concluding day of the festival.
The festival, which ran from September 24 to September 28, received 100 entries from Himalayan states and union territories. The spokesperson said that a total of 26 films were screened and 18 entry films recommended by the jury were also screened. Similarly, a total of 21 films received in the competition section by Ladakhi filmmakers were also screened at Picturetime Digiplex, he said.
The festival also hosted master class sessions with Priya Krishnaswamy, S Nallamuthu, Neela Madhab Panda, Phontasag Ladakhi and interaction sessions with Anupama Chopra, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Nikhil Talegaonkar.
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