11th Frames Film Festival

Consistent effort and initiative by Mass Media Department of SIES college (South Indian Education Society) marks a successful 11th year as one of the media PR head exclaims that such events boosts the networking and adds to the BMM education experience of the students.‘Framing Beyond Borders’ much true to the tag line of the 11the Frames Festival, the focus and purpose of the event is to create a bridge and platform for interaction between the industry and the students thereby acting as a catalyst of everlasting change through the medium of sharing and learning.

Every academic year the second year students of the BMM (Bachelors of Mass Media) course, SIES college, rope in to host the film festival which showcases audio visual medium of expression under specific categories. The students not only coordinate with the various colleges in Mumbai and India but they also network with some International institutes for entries under the specified categories. The young students get an opportunity to showcase their filmmaking skills to prominent personalities from the media and the film industry. Frames, was held on 6th, 7th and 8th February, 2014. The theme of this year is ‘Cinema Globalization’ as it is believed that globalization has significantly changed trends and patterns in the film industries worldwide. 

The event was inaugurated by Bijoy Nambiar, writer, director, mostly popular for his acclaimed short films, Rahu and Reflections. The event witnessed the presence and support of the stalwarts from the media and entertainment industry, Deepa Bhatia, Shamla Bhaskar, Sanjay Gadhavi, Sanjay Jadhav, Parvin Dabas, Farhad and Sajid, Rahat Kazmi, Mazhar Kamran, Girija Oak, Ajay Bahl, Sunil Tiwari, Nilay Moonje, Namit Das, Mohan Das, Siddharth Maskeri, Leslie Lewis, Shruti Pathak, Shibani Kashyap, Nitin Pathak, Yashpal Sharma, and Gulshan Devaiah.

The jury for the animation category consisted of Siddharth Maskeri and Mohan Das. The students were enlightened by the insight given by the jury on Indian cinema, world cinema and animation as a medium of film making, the trend and the challenges. The audience that primarily consisted of BMM students and few animation/vfx students were inquisitive of the future of animation film making.

Mohan Das, Festival Director, LISFF 2014 (Lakecity International Short Film Festival) mentioned that irrespective of the fact that a film is greatly done, the distribution, publicity and promotion is integral part of taking a good concept to the height it deserves.
Mohandas shared his experience of being part of various era of filmmaking and being witness of the changes since the days of Madhumati until today, as being phenomenal. His observation and experiences as a filmmaker on Indian cinema and world cinema was very educative. He has been part of many film festival across Indian states and is headed to attend coming up Darbhanga International Film Festival soon.

Siddharth Maskeri was glad to be present at the event, it being his first experience of being a jury at a student-driven film festival, he expressed his joy of well structured and managed event. The Tilak ceremony at the entrance was amazing he recalled while conversing with the audience. The jury praised the entries in the animation category and mentioned that it was a commendable effort of the students that will surely reach far and wide.

When asked if the animation is a medium that can only reach to the kid audience, Siddharth smentioned that the medium is a choice that a filmmaker makes to give justice to his story, subject and the way he envisions the treatment, the age group of the audience is decided as per the genre of the story and treatment. Tom and Jerry is loved by all age group and films like Waltz with Bashir is an adult oriented subject, he added further.

One change that can bring awareness about animation films and education is to educate and expose students at the global level, the educational institutes are the channel to bring the change through rightfully mentoring the students at the beginner level. It is as involving as studying medical and becoming a doctor. The doctor only saves life, in animation we give life to each character, explains Siddharth.

The jury was asked to provide their insight on where do they see the animation industry in the next 20 years, to which they mentioned that there is a vibe of positivity and awareness of animation much more that what was 15-20 years back. There is knowledge of scope, choice of education institute in India and abroad and job opportunities. People are aware and serious about animation medium and there is a definite hope that the industry will thrive many talents as seen outside India.

Names of the few animated films screened were, Emma, Deadstar Monsters, Mint Boss, Addiction, A Drop, No War’s Land and Roadside Rockstar
The industry stalwarts praised and appreciated the sheer energy of the fest. They mentioned that the entries are very creative and mentioned that some of the entries were mind-blowing. This has surely motivated the BMM students of SIES College, who have kept the promise of hosting awesome show since past ten years. Way to go!

The five categories under which the various entries were screened in the 3 day duration

1.      Short Films
2.      Documentary
3.      AD Films
4.      Animation – Short Films
5.      Music Videos

List of winning colleges:

• KC
• Nationals
• Ruia
• Saint Angelos Professional Education
• SIES Nerul
• SIES Sion
• MAAC Animation

Here’s the winners list

Animation Category
1.      Roadside Rockstar
2.      Emma
3.      Addiction

Short Film Category- Non BMM
1.      No God Temple
2.      Pencil, Titanic Love
3.      Catch 22
Short Film Category- BMM
1.      Rubber
2.      FM- The Faceless Men
3.      Kasadaru
Documentary Category
1.      Goonj- An Empty Call
2.      21st Century Imperialism
3.      Jashn-E-Dawat
Commercial Advertisement Category
1.      Google Coil
2.      Pickoo Sauce
3.      Lays
PSA Category
1.      Operation Vision
2.      House That- Domestic Violence
3.      Mard