10th Jan 2021, Book A workshop, Namrata Joshi
A two hour online discourse celebrating the film festivals across the globe- A handbook on how to choose a film festival from the perspective of a critic, a cinephile and a film maker.
The friendly introduction of the participants hinted on the mixed group comprising of movie buffs like me, technical personnel of film festivals, enthusiastic film makers trying to feature their work in festivals and media students. The coordinator from White Wall Screening, moderated the workshop with the speaker Namrata Joshi.
The course started with Namrata addressing couple of questions, what a film festival is and the structure of a film festival. The components of the film festivals – New works, Retrospective programs and Red carpet were touched upon.
The list of global film festivals, the type of films they feature, the credibility of the festivals with the accreditation from FIAPF and the talent fellowships and scholarships associated with particular film festivals, the information proved truly valuable. The usual festivals months in normal times other than pandemic was handy and the pros and cons of the virtual festivals were debated.
The highlight of the workshop was the novel intricate details on Film Restoration and Archiving festivals, Women film maker section in festivals and Children’s film festivals, the Film in progress feature, film networking, directory of film agents and producers, the fall festival where small films make a buzz amidst the big ticket films.
The participant’s questions were answered at length enabling other participants to understand the operation of festivals from all possible angles. Namrata’s personal experience on attending festivals wetted my appetite and I am thrilled for my first experience with the hybrid IFFI 2021.