Himalayan Film Festival to return for second edition on September 29
Mumbai (PTI): The second edition of the Himalayan Film Festival (THFF) will be held in Ladakh from September 29 to October 3, the organisers announced on Tuesday.
According to a press release, the film gala will bring the magic of Indian cinema beyond the mainstream, to the landscapes of the Himalayas.
It will be organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) of the Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh, in collaboration with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh.
Acclaimed film titles promising a cinematic journey that spans "emotions, narratives, and cultures" including "Haqeeqat", which was filmed in Ladakh, "Spawo (Warrior)", "Ama (Mother)", "Jungwa: The Broken Balance", "Lunana: A Yak In the Classroom", "Por Thozhil", "Sunpat", and ' the evergreen "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" are part of the THFF line-up.
Besides film screenings, the festival will offer events including the Screenwriters Lab, Short Film Competition, Photography Workshop, and Masterclasses, curated by esteemed professionals from the Indian film industry.
Padma Angmo, Commissioner/Secretary, Information, Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh, said they are happy to return with the second chapter of the festival after its inaugural session in 2021.
"The primary aim of organising the festival is to provide a platform to local Ladakhi filmmakers to showcase their films, to encourage local talent, build their capacity, connect them to experts and the market. It is a small community, but one that is very active and very creative.
"We hope that they will benefit from the opportunity to network with established filmmakers from other parts of the country. We hope that filmmakers from across the country, and the world, see Ladakh as a filmmaking destination, and utilise local talent in their filmmaking endeavors," Angmo said in a statement.
Filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane and actor Janhvi Kapoor will be some of the names from the Indian film industry who will participate in the masterclasses at the gala.
"I think the Himalayan Film Festival is very important, not just for film lovers who get the chance to actually listen to speakers, watch a lot of movies and experience something like this, but I think it is also important for local filmmakers to be able to access and learn tools that will enable them to go out there and create their film," said Motwane, whose web series "Jubilee" will also be screened during the festival.
"The Himalayan Film Festival is a great way for filmmakers from the Himalayan regions to showcase their talent and learn from industry experts. The festival will also provide an opportunity for viewers to see a variety of films and interact with filmmakers from across the country," added Kapoor.
Director-photographer Achal Mishra, known for films such as "Gamak Ghar" and "Dhuin", will head the Photography Workshop at THFF.
"I feel a film festival's purpose shouldn't just be bringing films from outside to a local audience, but also to give a platform to the local filmmakers and their films. I'm happy that The Himalayan Film Festival is doing just that for Ladakh, a place I dearly love, and which has been my second home for the last 5-6 years," Mishra said.
Filmmakers Rima Das, Dominic Megam Sangma and Amit Sharma are part of the jury panel for the Short Film Competition segment during the five-day extravaganza.
"I am so happy that The Himalayan Film Festival is creating a platform to empower budding filmmakers, expose them to different kinds of films and nurture their talent," said Das, whose film "Tora's Husband" will be screened during the festival.
Sangma termed festivals like THFF as a bridge that connects two or more regions, helping the local community get more exposure to the world of cinema, and at the same time help reveal talent from this region to the world outside.
Filmmaker and screenwriter Satyanshu Singh will serve as mentor of the Screenwriters Lab at The Himalayan Film Festival 2023.
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Right to vote under threat, must be made fundamental right: Cong's Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged on Thursday that the right to vote is under threat and the time has come when it should be made a fundamental right for citizens.
Speaking with reporters, Ramesh lashed out at Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying the Election Commission (EC) has never been as compromised as it has been under him.
"The rot started under his predecessor. This man is a player and not a neutral observer," the Congress leader said, slamming Kumar.
Kumar is completely compromised and has become a player in elections, he alleged.
"Home Minister Amit Shah had talked about three Ds -- detect, delete and deport. So we want to know how many non-Indian citizens have been detected, how many have been deleted and how many have been deported," Ramesh said, adding that the right to vote is now under threat.
On opposition parties submitting a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha, seeking to move a motion for the CEC's removal, the Congress leader said they will continue to make efforts for Kumar's removal as he is "compromised".
Ramesh also batted for the right to vote to be recognised as a fundamental right.
"I believe that the time has come that the right to vote should be made a fundamental right. It is a statutory right, it is not a fundamental right. Fundamental rights are justiciable," he said.
The former Union minister said this was discussed in the Constituent Assembly, but it was eventually decided that it should be made part of the Constitution.
B R Ambedkar and Jagjivan Ram had warned that in the future, governments might try to disenfranchise voters, he added.
"Once and for all, include the right to vote as a fundamental right for Indian citizens," Ramesh asserted.
