The gentle breeze of an approaching winter at Delhi’s Janpath blended seamlessly with the electric buzz of creativity at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) as the FootPrint Film Festival unveiled its 5th edition in New Delhi on the 16th and 17th of November. It wasn’t just another festival; it was a jubilant symphony of youthful stories, raw emotions, and cinematic celebration. And being part of the organizing team this year, I had the privilege of witnessing the boundless potential of young filmmakers from every corner of India and around the world.
Where Dreams take flight
The FootPrint Film Festival, since its inception in 2020, has emerged as more than a mere showcase of youthful talent. It is a movement. A revolution. A platform where voices as young as 14 find resonance, where 19 year olds wield cameras like magic wands, conjuring tales that are poignant, contemporary, and refreshingly bold.
The films screened this year were nothing short of mind-blowing. Through frames and angles, these young auteurs tackled themes of identity, climate change, mental health, and the unseen struggles of everyday lives. Each film was a testament to the power of storytelling in its purest form; uncompromising and fearless.
Each screening schedule was immediately followed by a film adda where the filmmakers joined online as well as offline, sharing their filmmaking experiences with an audience who was still spellbound by the artistic adventures of these young minds that they had just witnessed on screen.
One could feel the urgency in their voices, the aspiration in their eyes, and the passion in their expressions. They weren’t just making films; they were offering the audience a window into their innocent hearts and masterful minds that dared to dream differently.
The level of craft displayed by these teenagers was astonishing. Their films were imbued with a maturity and sensitivity that defied their age. With every cut, every close-up, and every dialogue, it became clear that the future of cinema is in safe, remarkably talented hands.
Workshops: The Foundation of Dreams
As part of the festival organizing team, I discovered that FootPrint isn’t just a festival; it’s a nurturing ground. Before the lights, camera, and action, there’s preparation, and lots of it. Through filmmaking workshops held across India, FootPrint mentors the next generation of storytellers, equipping them with technical prowess and artistic confidence.
Throughout the year, FootPrint organizes workshops across India, creating an inclusive space for budding storytellers to learn, experiment, and refine their craft. These workshops don’t just teach the technicalities of filmmaking; they spark curiosity, foster collaboration, and instill confidence. They empower young minds to believe that their stories matter and equip them with the tools to tell them.
The 5th edition of the FootPrint Film Festival hosted a few of such workshops also, led by industry professionals and experienced filmmakers, delving into diverse aspects of cinema, from screenwriting to cinematography to film appreciation. These sessions proved to be vibrant hubs of experimentation and learning, where young minds found the courage to express their ideas.
Onward to Kolkata
As the curtains close on the Delhi edition, the buzz doesn’t fade. Instead, it carries over with renewed excitement towards the next big stop: Kolkata. On the 30th of November and the 1st of December, the FootPrint Film Festival will light up the Kolkata Centre for Creativity, promising another spellbinding array of youthful ingenuity.
Kolkata, the city of poets and dreamers, seems a perfect match for this celebration of cinematic youth. It’s a city that breathes art and storytelling, and the upcoming edition promises to be a confluence of tradition and innovation, passion and purpose.
An Ode to Tomorrow
Reflecting on my firsthand experience with this year’s festival’s journey, I am convinced that FootPrint is more than just a platform; it’s a legacy in the making. Its impact goes beyond the films, which is reflected in the confidence it instills in young creators, the conversations it sparks, and the doors it opens.
I would conclude by reiterating that FootPrint is more than just a film festival; as the name suggests, it’s a stage where tomorrow’s auteurs take their first steps. It’s where dreams are translated into reality, one frame at a time. And as I reflect on this journey as a member of the organizing team, I feel a deep sense of pride; not just for the festival but for the young dreamers who dared to believe in their stories and to share them with the world.
Because cinema, at its heart, is about footprints; those indelible marks left on our souls, forever reminding us of where we are and what lies ahead, calling upon us as who we are and what we can become.
Here’s to many more editions of FootPrint Film Festival: a celebration of youth, art, and the timeless power of stories to transform, inspire, and connect.
