Keeping the Faith

Candidates interpreted faith through different incidents like family loss,overcoming adversity,personal devotion and hope. The winner from each category will be announced on July 22nd at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) venue,London,by British TV presenter Adrian Chiles followed by a screening of their films in the presence of celebrities like Tony Blair,Hugh Jackman,Jet Lie,Natalie Portman,among others. The winners will be flown to London to introduce their three-minute films in person,that will be screened in the non-competitive section of the festival. “The aim of this competition was to understand what the youth feel about faith. It is the first time something like this is being attempted and depending upon the success of this format we will plan for next year,” says Simi Kher,India representativve of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation.

For R Sangeetha,a 13-year old from Ahlcon International School,her grandmother represented a symbol of faith. “I have heard stories from my mother how grandma survived paralysis when doctors had given up hope. Due to her will power and faith she was able to pull through,” says Sangeetha,also one of the shortlisted candidates. Her three-minute film,Grandma or Godmom,consists of a voice over by her about her grandmother’s condition with intermittent narratives by family members. “She was the first person who came to mind when I thought of this project,” she adds. Kumar,on the other hand,worked on the theme of re-incarnation. “I have always searched for a deeper meaning in trivial daily situations. In this film I wanted to question the idea of birth and rebirth by bringing into focus the importance of faith for a person,” he says. Kumar is now among the four shortlisted candidates in the Under 18 category.

Meanwhile Ambala-based Shiv Tandan’s The Guide is an amateur representation of what a guided tour of Jama Masjid is like with trivia on the monument and local anecdotes. Another entry,The Path,is from Kerala. Both are in the 18-25 category.

Students in the under-18 category were assisted by a teacher and they worked in groups of 10-15. After submitting a written pitch about their story,they spent three weeks shooting their films using flip cameras and latest editing software. 14-year old Kanishk Alawadi’s True Friend,about a Hindu boy befriending a Muslim despite opposition from his family was well appreciated. “I have fooled around with the movie maker software earlier. But this time I was using trendier and professional software for editing my film,” says Ishan Agarwal,a class XII student of Bal Bharati School,Pitampura,whose film,Child Rights: A thought in Time,focuses on the plight of ragpickers,beggars and child labourers across the city.

Regardless of the results,the students are glad of the opportunity that the competition afforded them. “I was humbled when I saw the slum-kids. It’s surprising how none of them are aware of their rights,” says Agarwal.