:: IFFK 2008 ::

An open forum observed the 50th anniversary of the Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI) at the behest of 13th IFFK, 2008. The focus was on the genesis and history of the film society movement in India. Film society activist V.K. Joseph, the Vice Chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, coordinated the session. In his speech he recalled the rich contributions made by the pioneers of film societies of Kerala. The session began with K.P. Kumaran, veteran filmmaker and one of the pioneers of the Kerala film-society movement, tracing the history and necessity of the movement.

K.P. Kumaran said Satyajit Ray paved the way for the film society movement by setting up Calcutta Film Society in Kolkata in 1948. Much later it was Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Kolathoor Bhaskaran Nair who formed Chitralekha Film Society, the first of its kind, in Kerala. He narrated thus the film societies of Kerala gave exposure to experimental cinema done by the filmmakers from Europe and Japan. According to him the people of Kerala came to know about the life and culture of these countries. He emphasized the importance of the film society movement in the coming years and its contribution for nurturing people’s cultural and social consciousness. He also added that no other State, except West Bengal, had witnessed such remarkable progress. He said that IFFK and Kerala State Chalachitra Academy are the glittering examples of the development brought out by the film society movement.

Other speakers included Sudhir Nandgaonkar, President of the FFSI, and H.N Narahari Rao, the Vice President. Sudhir Nandgaonkar said that film societies can be considered as cultural NGOs and that society screenings should be made open to the public. The youngsters are not attracted to it. H.N. Narahari Rao said that the film buffs should also switch to DVD screening. He praised the role of the film societies of Kerala towards elevating the awareness among the people by showing more good and relevant films. He invited young people to be involved in the movement.

The open forum announced some awards for the best film societies and film activists (film society members). This year the best award has been given to the Montash Film Society in Malappuram. Majeed Mataththil received the best activist award.