By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 9: Women in the film-making industry, not only in the state of Meghalaya but the entire country are a rare affair, however, in a bid to break away from these barriers, the second edition of the Kelvin Cinema film festival boasts an all women jury that include accomplished names as Kartiki Gonsalves, Meenakshi Shedde and Cherry Kharshiing.
The Kelvin Cinema Festival’s second edition commenced at the U Soso Tham Auditorium, organised by Shankar Lall Goenka and Jeevan Ram Mungi Devi Goenka Public Charitable Trust in collaboration with Fraternity Art Cine Entertainment Shillong.
Kartiki Gonsalves, the Academy Award-winning director of The Elephant Whispers, shared with The Shillong Times how a call from Dominic Sangma was all it took for her to readily agree to participate in the festival.
Hailing from a small town herself, Gonsalves expressed her relatability to the festival’s ethos. “This is probably one of my first film festivals as a jury, and since I am from a small town myself, I am excited,” she added.
Emphasizing the importance of local storytellers shaping narratives, Gonsalves encouraged breaking away from Western influences.
Gonsalves sees film festivals as crucial platforms to bring diverse stories to a wider audience. She applauded the unique opportunity to participate in a festival organised by filmmakers in a small town and shared insights into her upcoming documentary exploring matriarchal societies of the first nations.
Similarly, Meenakshi Shedde, a seasoned jury member of 25 film festivals worldwide, including Cannes, Berlin, and Venice, highlighted the need to support women across the entire filmmaking chain.
“Let’s say there are 800 movies being made by women, but will all of them make it to the audience or be able to come to the forefront?” she stated, underscoring the importance of a holistic approach.
Shedde commended the efforts of festival organizers Dominic Sangma and Pradip Kurbah, active filmmakers investing time and energy to provide a platform for aspiring and independent filmmakers, even amidst competition.
Cherry Kharshiing, Head of the Department of Mass Media, St. Anthony’s College, and an avid cinephile, emphasized the importance of an all-women jury as a step forward for the matrilineal state in need of more women filmmakers.
She highlighted the transformative power of women filmmakers in telling stories related to domestic violence, workplace inequality, and other social issues.
She stated, “If a man is making these movies on social issues related to women, it will not be his first hand experience but a woman who has lived through it all will be able to put into perspective a story better.”
Kharshiing acknowledged the significance of film festivals in providing a networking platform, connecting with producers, and showcasing films that might not reach mainstream theaters.
Expressing gratitude for the festival organisers, she emphasised the privilege for the local community to interact with an Oscar winner, stressing the need for ceremonial roles to translate into financial independence for women in the film industry.
She called on aspiring filmmakers and movie enthusiasts to attend the festival, witness the magic on screen, and have the opportunity to meet Shedde and Gonsalves in person.