Covid-19 scripts new avatar for UKs Indian film fest

Covid-19 scripts new avatar for UKs Indian film fest
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Physically distanced but not necessarily cinematically deprived seems to the mantra of the annual London Indian Film Festival (LIFF), which had gone more UK-wide by travelling to Birmingham and other regions in previous years. Now, in response to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown pulling down the shutters on cinemas, LIFF has decided to expand its festival offering with a virtual avatar.

Its Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition has gone online as part of a hybrid solution, backed by the British Film Institute (BFI) and Bagri Foundation. Nine award-winning short films, which reflect the focus and ethos of the iconic Indian filmmaker and created in his memory, mark the launch of the online version of what is dubbed Europe's largest annual Indian film event.

Cinematic gems

“On the 99th birth anniversary month of the world's most loved Indian director Satyajit Ray, it seems almost a tryst with destiny to be able to show, for the first time, all the winners together of the renowned Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition, that the Ray family kindly supported because the films must enshrine Ray's empathetic vision of humanity,” said Cary Rajinder Sawhney, Executive and Programming Director of the festival.

“Several of these younger filmmakers, talent spotted by the festival, have gone onto very great things. Given the Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival's championing of torch bearing and rare independent films and emerging filmmakers it seems right for us to launch our new online platform with these bright cinematic gems,” he said.

As the coronavirus lockdown continues in the UK, the festival is being supported by an Audience Award from BFI, using the UK's National Lottery funds, and the Bagri Foundation to develop a new part-digital and part cinema-based model strategy, which will be rolled out this year and into the future.

Wider audience

The festival team said that South Asian filmmakers have already rallied to support this online initiative, which is helping LIFF offer the festival for free for a limited time.
Ben Luxford, Head of BFI Audiences, said:?“We are delighted to support LIFF's ambitious plans to present the festival online and, by doing so, ensure that this year's programme of South Asian cinema reaches an even wider audience, starting with a unique opportunity to see the winners of the Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition over the last nine years.”
Alka Bagri,Trustee of the Bagri Foundation, added: “These films display a realist quality that provides a rare glimpse into the private lives of those longing for love, dealing with family struggles or just surviving day to day.”
*Explore LIFF here: loveliffathome.com

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