Short film fest in town

Film-buffs in the Capital had the opportunity to see some cult films recently. Shamiana – a Mumbai-based club formed by some young film enthusiasts – screened four award-winning films at the Blue Frog, Seven Style Mile, Mehrauli. What’s more, they also had a live acoustic set at their screening by ‘Who’s JIM?’ – an upcoming band of four musicians.

Shamiana Film Club was founded in Mumbai in 2008 by Cyrus Dastur – a film lover. It was started with the aim of promoting upcoming short filmmakers and screening their works. Beginning with Mumbai, Shamiana soon started screenings in Goa, Baroda, Ahmedabad and Pune, and recently launched its chapter in Delhi as well.

Shamiana’s Delhi representative Priya Bhattacharji informed Metrolife, “As a club, we are fully dedicated to bringing forth the best of short films as well as amateur work. We don’t have any celebrities attending our shows but only filmmakers, their friends and a loyal audience. The filmmakers enjoy their work being staged and get to discuss it with the viewers as well. It’s very hands-on, exactly the way we want.”

Their list of ‘shorties’ this time included Curfew (Oscar 2013 winner), Humsafar, No boom switty and Smoke seller. In Curfew, a young man gets a call from his sister asking him to babysit his nine-year old niece, Sophia, for a few hours. This meeting changes his life. Humsafar is the story of two lovers who meet, part ways and then reunite by a twist of fate. It was a treat for couples.

No boom switty is the winner of Best Film, Audience Choice - 48 Hour Film festival. It was also screened at film festivals like The New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Fest 2012. Lastly, Smoke seller is an entertaining animation film about a magician who rolls into an unsuspecting town and makes everyone love him.

Of course, the young audience also loved the jam session by Who’s JIM? Suroshree was the vocalist while Haokip and Tanvi backed her and played the guitar, and Kirin Vas strum the ukulele and Bass. The next screening by Shamiana in Delhi is slated for mid-June.