State directors’ short films make it to Kerala festival

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 20

Two short films – “No Woman’s Land” directed by Dr Devkanya Lotheta and “Papa” directed by Sidharth Chauhan of Himachal – will be screened in the 9th International Documentary and short film festival of Kerala, which is being organised by the Chalchitra Academy of the Government of Kerala in June this year.

After facing a stiff competition from other competitors from across the country, the two short films from the young filmmakers were selected for the film festival getting cheers and accolades. “I am happy that my film has been selected for screening in the festival and unsung tribal women fighting for seeking share in their property will get attention,” said an elated Devkanya, who comes from Chopal and works in SJVNL.

“No Woman’s Land” will compete with 18 other films from different parts of India directed by established directors, while “Papa” will be in competition with 30 other short films. This film festival was one of the established film festivals of India where independent filmmakers dreamed of their film to be screened, said Devkanya.

Talking about her debut short film “No Woman’s Land”, she said this film was based on the struggle of tribal women of Himachal for getting a share in ancestral property.

“No Woman’s Land” received a special festival mention award and a certificate of excellence at the 5th Dada Saheb Phalke International Film Festival, New Delhi, in April 2015.

She said her next film, “Laal Hota Darakh”, is a fiction film based on a short story by SR Harnot, a writer from Himachal. It is scheduled for release in October, she added.

On the other hand, “Papa” is about a son who lost his father and how he and his mother miss his father.