Mumbai, 28th November, 2021: The Yathakatha International
film & literature festival has kick-started on 25th November and
after four days of successful run especially in this pandemic time, has
come to an end. YKIFF is the festival to celebrate cinema and
literature.
The four days festival started on 25th
November 2021 at Maniben Nanavati Women's College premises Vile parle.
YKIFLF showcased 35+ films from national & international domains
along with 25+ constructive panel discussions on cinema and literature.
Book Launch, Country Showcase special screening, book stalls and
cultural activities were the core highlights of the fest during its four
days event.
First of its kind, the
festival’s crux was on the significance of language, especially Hindi
and Sanskrit literature, creative writing in cinema, book adaptation
process, women’s perspective and contribution in storytelling, LGBTQ
role in context of cinema and literature and many more.
The festival
explored the contradictions of cinema and literature with interesting
perspectives exploring economically developed places alongside backward
regions, staunchly nationalistic mind sets side by side with the
insurgency prone pockets and the socially conservative elements that
co-exist with countless liberal styles in creativity. All within the
same parameter.
YKIFLF
has partnered with Quebec Consulate as 'Country Showcase' in its very
first season. YKIFLF with KROKIO PRODUCTS PVT LTD brought together
renowned film talent from all over the world converging with the Indian
cinema and literature industry across the world.
Founded
by renowned media professionals to create an annual international film
and literature festival in India that brings the best of the
opportunities to the audience.
Apart
from the festival, the festival curates and runs a unique set of
programmes that sustains conversations around cinema, literature,
authors and filmmakers throughout the year.
The
opening ceremony took place on 25th November 2021 wherein Mr. Francis
Paradis, Consul & Director, Quebec as ‘Chief Guest’ and Prof. Ujwala
Chakradeo, Vice-Chancellor, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai as ‘Guest
Of Honour’ opened up the festival with lighting a lamp and a cultural
presentation.
There
was a special screening under ‘Country Showcase Chapter’ ‘Quebec’ and
the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence, Amrit Mahotsava where,
Nachiketa, Crossing the line and Ambassador of Socialism – Life &
Times of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya were screened on the opening day of the
festival.
During the four days festival various
activities took place and many eminent guests from film fraternity and
literature world participated... A few among them were Bhawana Somaaya,
Aabid Surti, Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, Sidharth Jain, Devashish Makhija,
Sridhar Rangayan, Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, Brahmanand Singh,
Anjali Bhushan Nugyal, Dr Piyush Roy, Harish Pathak, Radha Vallabh
Tripathi, Vasudha Sahastrabuddhe, Mala Jha, Leena Mishra, Mamta Mandal,
Chetan Mathur, Pradeep Gupta, Dheerendra Asthana etc. Other than that so
many guests participated online via their recorded version on a certain
topic Selina Seth, Sanjay Masoom, Rahul Rawail were prominent among
them.
Closing ceremony of YKIFLF was graced with the presence
of Governor of Maharashtra Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari who encouraged
the winners, participants and organizer. 'These kinds of
collaborative efforts needs to be organised time to time for the sake of
our cultural growth and upcoming generations, said Honorable Governor
Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari."
Later he
felicitated the winners under various categories and also unveiled the
cover of the upcoming magazine of Yathakatha International Film &
Literature Festival Smarika which will be available soon.
Honours
The participants and winners were awarded with a customized trophy of YathaKatha Logo in it.
Special Honours for contribution
Manoj Kumar (Bharat Kumar) Veteran Actor & Director and a legend of Indian Cinema
Sir Ruskin Bond, Author and Literary legend
Dev
Bhasha Sanskrit Samman was awarded to Radha Vallabh Tripathi who is one
of the senior-most professors of Sanskrit in the country.
Raj
Bhasha Samman Hindi Samman was given to Mamta Mandal, Founder of Global
Hindi Foundation, Singapore for her contribution in Hindi growing as an
international language, Singapore.
In its
first edition, YathaKatha International Film & Literature Festival
felicitated the veteran actor Manoj Kumar with a special honor for his
contribution to cinema and Sir Ruskin Bond for his contribution to the
literature world.
YathaKatha Supporting
Partner Honour was given to Maniben Nanavati women's college and NTPC
Dadri... Mr Alok Adhikari received the honour on the behalf of NTPC and
Apporva Bhai Nanavati and Dr Rajshree Trivedi received the honour on
behalf of Nanavati College.
Under Special
Mention for Amrit Mahotsava screening was awarded to Mr Nitesh Agarwal
(Producer) & Anil Agarwal (Actor) – for film Ambassador Of Social –
Life & Times of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia.
Best LGBTQ Feature Evening Shadows, a Film by Sridhar Rangayan
Special Mention Cinema For Change Honour to Jhalki – Tale Of A Tireless Sparrow, by Brahmanand S Siingh
Best Short Film Fiction India - Khisa (pocket) directed by Raj More
INDIAN CINEMA BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
THE WOUNDED SOULS OF THE RANN by DINESH LAKHANPAL
World Cinema Best Short Fiction
FILM – THE EVE by DIRECTOR – LUCA MACHNICH
World Cinema Best Feature Documentary
FILM – RAINBOWLAND by DIRECTOR – WILLIAM ULRICH
World Cinema Best Short Documentary
FILM – MACHADO 21- CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL by DIRECTOR – IVOINSON GOULARD
BEST ANIMATION FILM
FILM – ON/OFF by DIRECTOR – NICOLAS P. VILLARREAL
World Cinema Best Feature Fiction
FILM – AM RANDE DER ZEITEN by DIRECTOR – JORG REICHLIN
World Cinema Feature Documentary Special Mention
FILM – GONE ARE THE DAYS by DIRECTOR – R PAUL DHILLON
World Cinema Best Student Film
FILM – THE REAL PICTURE by DIRECTOR – SHAUNAK SURLU
World Cinema Best Mobile Film
FILM – FOUNTAIN OF PLANET by DIRECTOR – HIROSHI ATOBE
WORLD CINEMA BEST SCREENPLAY
BUDDHA’S SHADOW by WRITER – PATTANA THAIVANICH
Under Literature categories
The winner for best writer (male)
Shukl Ramayan by Dr Dinesh Prasad Shukla, a cancer survivor and farmer turned author.
Best book fiction
Oonga by Devashish Makhija, a filmmaker and author
Best writer (female) and best education book
Dr D – The Wrath of Tooth Monster by Dr Shivangi Sharm
Best Short Stories
Court Marshal Fir Se by by Ravindra Katyan
Founded
by a group of creative professionals and proven to be the first
international cinema and literature festival together, Yatha Katha
International Film & Literature Festival powered by Krokio Products
Private Limited is an extremely important and independent showcase,
inspired by the fruitful interaction of arts – cinema and literature, in
particular.
Graced with the the jury members are Kamal Swaroop, Rahul
Rawail, Aabid Surti, Harris W. Freedman, Amitabh Shrivastava, Manvendra
Singh Gohil, Piyush Roy, Sanjay Masoom, Suraj Prakash, Federico Aletta,
Radhavallabh Tripathi, Rachel Kadushin, Brahmanand S Siingh, Hamid
Benamra, Deepak Dua, Prof. Dr. Mohan Das and many more.
Charu
Sharma, the founder of the festival explained the vision behind this
initiative she said, ‘ this is not only a festival but it is a
long-lasting journey which has just taken its baby step and in the
coming seasons.
First of its kind, this film festival is celebrating the
writers ,who are the crux of any film or book. This four-day festival
had covered most of the sections like, importance of Hindi and Sanskrit
literature, screenings of films, book launches, panel discussions,
creative writing etc.
At the closing ceremony Bhagat Singh
Koshyari quoted “it's a YathaKatha journey and will continue Yatha
Takha (forever).” YKIFLF received 189 entries worldwide under cinema
& literature categories and bests among those were honoured with a
customised trophy on the award night.
