When we arrived in Shimla at nine o’clock, there wasn’t much to see in the city. The next day, I enjoyed the beautiful view of the blue mountains, the charming houses on the hills, and the well-maintained roads. The festival organisers arranged for us to stay in a VIP area of Shimla with limited traffic, so we decided to walk to the Gaiety Theatre.
The Gaiety Theatre is situated on the slopes of a hill and features colonial architecture. I went up the stairs to the courtyard, although one can also reach it with a few more steps along the same road.
The building houses two theatres and a conference hall for film screenings. The 2024 edition marks the 10th occurrence of the International Film Festival of Shimla. Despite Himachal Pradesh not being prominent in filmmaking, hosting an International Film Festival in such an environment seemed daunting. When I inquired about it at the closing night party of the three-day festival, festival director Pushparaj Thakur explained, “We organised the International Film Festival of Shimla to showcase diverse cinematic talents and promote cultural exchange through films. With its picturesque landscape and rich cultural heritage, Shimla provides an ideal backdrop for such an event, attracting filmmakers and audiences worldwide.” Thakur further emphasised, “The festival aims to create a platform where filmmakers from different countries can share their stories, traditions, and perspectives, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation. Additionally, it aims to highlight regional cinema of India, especially from Himachal Pradesh, giving local filmmakers a stage to present their work to a global audience. By hosting the festival in Shimla, we also aim to boost tourism in the region, drawing visitors to experience the beauty and culture of the area. Furthermore, the festival seeks to provide a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with industry professionals, potentially including workshops, panel discussions, and masterclasses to offer aspiring filmmakers and students learning opportunities.”
Seema Biswas, the famous actor known for her roles in Bandit Queen, Water, and many more, inaugurated a three-day festival on August 16th. She graced the event for all three days, inspiring young filmmakers from Himachal and various parts of India. Her masterclasses on acting received an impressive number of participants, and their enthusiasm was palpable. Seema Biswas’s involvement, as expected by Pushparaj Thakur, was one of the significant positive aspects of the festival.
The festival showcased films from several foreign countries, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Iran, with filmmakers from these countries presenting their work. Notably, most of these directors were independent filmmakers. Additionally, many directors and filmmakers from different parts of India, mainly young and independent, participated in the festival. The event also marked the first screening of ‘Hamari Ramleela,’ a film by young Mumbai filmmaker Rinku Sharma. I enjoyed introducing the director and honouring him on behalf of Assam Down Town University, which I represent.
The festival undoubtedly requires proper facilities for screening highly technical films. Nevertheless, the experience of watching movies in the Gaiety Theatre’s Victorian Proscenium Stage was a new and remarkable one. This historic theatre, where Parthajit Baruah’s ‘The Nellie Story’ and Rajen Das’s ‘Iron Girl’ were screened, left a lasting impression. ‘Iron Girl’ even received the Special Jury Award in the National Feature Film category. Furthermore, the screening of ‘Fagu Khele Karunamay,’ a film directed by me and produced by Assam Down Town University, in the main theatre led to an inspiring conversation with the audience.
Several Iranian films were screened and received multiple awards in the competition. Despite language barriers, the Iranian directors communicated with the audience as best as they could. I had the opportunity to meet actress Kimiaoori, who had Mehendi on her hands. She was elegantly dressed and, despite briefly removing her hijab for a photo, requested that it not be uploaded on social media, explaining, “This is impossible in my country, I hope you understand.” I respected her request.
‘What is the growth rate of this festival, which has completed ten years?’ Dr. Devkanya Thakur, the Creative Director of the Festival, replied. ‘The International Film Festival of Shimla (IFFS) has experienced significant growth since its inception in 2015. Over the years, it has evolved into a prominent cultural event, attracting films from around the world. The festival now features a diverse selection of films, including documentaries, shorts, features, animations, music videos, and web series, showcasing cinematic excellence on a global scale. The uniqueness of IFFS lies in its commitment to celebrating regional and international cinema while creating a platform for cultural exchange. One of the festival’s standout features is its inclusive approach, which includes special screenings in locations such as prisons and sections dedicated to children’s cinema. Additionally, the festival’s recent editions have honoured the legacy of iconic figures in Indian cinema, such as Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, further enriching the cultural experience for attendees.’
I had the opportunity to attend the screening of children’s films spoken by Dr. Thakur. At the end of each film, two announcers interacted with the child audience. I enjoyed this program with all my heart and gave two small gifts to the two announcers. Their bright faces after receiving the two gifts remain in my mind.
The festival featured the film ‘Dhroov Ki Ghaas’ by a youth from Shimla, Preety Sharma. I loved watching this short film about two schoolchildren amid the natural beauty of Himachal Pradesh. I wanted to know how this festival made a mark on the filmmakers like her. She said – ‘IFFS has brought independent cinema to the mountains, making it one of the most unique and celebrated film festivals. This Fest provides access to films from around the world that might otherwise remain unseen, showcasing some of the best cinema globally. These festivals inspire filmmakers like us, demonstrating that impactful and compelling films can be created without requiring substantial production budgets.’
On the way back from Shimla, I thought this film festival would claim special honour as the festival of independent filmmakers worldwide.
