Manipur’s own budding filmmaker Shamurailatpam Bishwajit Sharma has been selected as one of the ‘75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’ at the forthcoming 54th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), where all arrangements have been set to showcase the talents of tomorrow.
Organised by the National Film Development Corporation Limited (NFDC) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, the nine-day event, scheduled to be held from November 18 to 26, 2023, promises an immersive experience for the selected participants, stated a release on Sunday.
Seventy-five talented filmmakers and artists have been handpicked from all over India and among the chosen few is S Bishwajit Sharma, son of Phurailatpam Brajamuhini Devi from Bishnupur Makha Leikai, it said.
Bishwajit Sharma will have the honour of an exclusive invitation to the Opening Ceremony of the festival, where he will be a special guest of the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Singh Thakur, it mentioned.
One of the highlights of the programme is the ‘48 Hour Filmmaking Challenge’, a competition challenging creativity and skills of the participants to produce a short film under tight deadlines, it said. The competition, conceived by NFDC in partnership with Shorts International, UK offers a unique platform to showcase their interpretation of ‘Mission Life’, it added.
Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with Indian Film Industry’s luminaries, network with established personalities in the world of cinema, and witness the intricacies of the business at Film Bazaar, IFFI’s Business arm, it stated. A guided tour will provide them valuable insights into various elements such as Co-Production Market, Work In Progress Lab, Viewing Room, Screenwriters’ Lab, Market Screenings, Producers’ Workshop, Knowledge Series and Book to Box Office, the release mentioned.
As part of the CMOT Talent Camp, participants will pitch their ideas, concepts, skills and previous work to industry leaders, opening doors to potential employment opportunities with renowned organizations in the film industry. Special masterclasses, curated for the 75 Creative Minds, will enhance their knowledge and skills, it said.
It added that NFDC has organised a virtual masterclass with Programme Manager, Berlinale Talents, Florian Weghorn, who will provide mentoring on utilizing ‘Film Festivals as a Launchpad for new Talent’. The whole event is poised to be a stepping stone in the careers of these 75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow, showcasing their potential to the world, it said.
