Nalanda University hosts documentary film festival MIFF in Bihar in association with Films Division

September 12, 2016

Nalanda University in association with the Films Division (Ministry of Information & Broadcasting) organised a three-day documentary film festival, MIFF in Bihar- a festival of selected films of Mumbai International Film Festival for documentary, short and animation films from September 8-10,2016 at Rajgir International Convention Centre (RICC). The festival was open for Nalanda University Community as well as the public of Rajgir and other neighbouring towns.

This film festival was held in Bihar for the first time. 

The festival was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor Dr. Gopa Sabharwal on September 8. Speaking on this occasion she said, “Films are a medium of expression that have now even been adopted by Academics to present their work. We hope that this film festival inspires the students and the local community of Rajgir to delve deeper into the medium of films for academic purposes. With changes in technology and rapidly changing forms of film-making, students may even think of presenting films as papers.” 

(Clockwise from left): Dr. Gopa Sabharwal, Vice Chancellor, NU, inaugurating the festival, 
Filmmaker Nidhi Tuli being felicitated after her talk, 
Audience during screening, 
Mr. Sumay Mukherjee, Kolkata Branch Manager, Films Division.

Mr. Sumay Mukherjee the Kolkata Branch Manager of Films Division said, “Mumbai International Film Festival is held in Mumbai every two years, and the Films Division takes these films to different parts of India so that these films find a wider audience. The purpose of these festivals is to raise awareness about different issues that documentaries depict. These films show reality and it is necessary that the masses also connect with such films.”

Film maker and script writer Nidhi Tuli gave a talk during the inauguration which was followed by the screening of her film ‘’Ladies special” which was very well received. The film was followed by a discussion on the process and purpose of this film. The inaugural film Ashvin Kumar’s oscar nominated ‘’The Little Terrorist ’’ was also very well received. 

This film festival was an effort at involving the local community in University events. Hence it is open for Nalanda University Community as well as the public of Rajgir and other neighbouring towns.

Twenty-five films were shown over three days. Besides films from India, the festival also showcased films from Australia, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Romania, and the UK.