India Untouched and Manjha win Golden Conch at MIFF'08 news
Stalin K's documentary "India Untouched —Stories of A People Apart" won the Golden Conch at 10th Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentaries and short films while Rahi Anil Barve's short film Manjha was adjudged best film in the fiction category.
Festival jury highly recommended the film for all audiences worldwide, saying "India Untouched-Stories of a People Apart for achieving the ideals of socially and politically committed documentary film making. The film unflinchingly uncovers the all pervasive, deeply rooted and still existing caste system in twenty first century India, with chilling evidence that it shows no sign of abating in generations to come."
Awards were announced today, on the last day of the festival in Mumbai. Here is a list of other award winning entries:
Second Best Documentary: Mahua Memoirs by Vinod Raja
Mahua Memoirs for compassionately exposing the ruthless underside of corporate globalization through the ongoing decimation of Adivasi lands, people and their cultures throughout India. Beautifully crafted with outstanding visuals and haunting music, it is an urgent call to re-examine the policies of the day.
Best Fiction: Manjha by Rahi Anil Barve
Manjha for the first-time director's fictional expression of child sexual abuse and survival, portrayed in a highly individualistic, graphic and cinematic style. The filmmaker manages to extract outstanding performances from the actors within a stark, industrial urban landscape.
Second Best Fiction: The Lost Rainbow by Dhiraj Meshram
The Lost Rainbow for presenting a series of nostalgic, touching moments in an evocative and playful manner, enhanced by the realistic performances of the child actors. The film details how the results of mischievous sibling rivalry can haunt the protagonists for the remainder of their lives.
Best Animation Film: Myths about You by Nandita Jain
Myths About You for a clever and imaginative representation of the history of the Universe, both in terms of Hindu mythology and scientific research, in an original graphic style, all within a short span of 9 minutes.
Second Best Animation: Three Little Pigs by Bhavana Vyas & Akanito Assumi
Three Little Pigs for presenting a well-known childhood story through wire frame animation techniques in a deceptively simple style. The film has background voice-overs in the form of a conversation recalling the story, which is both engaging and amusing while bridging the documentary form with animation.
Indian Jury Awards
I'm Very Beautiful by Shyamal Kumar Karmakar
I'm the Very Beautiful for a personal, complex and often contradictory portrait of an indomitable woman and her continuous struggle in her pursuit of a life of freedom and dignity despite her social stigma in a patriarchal and chauvinistic society. In its style and treatment, the film mirrors the free spirit of the protagonist with abandon and candour.
Thousad Days and A Dream by P. Baburaj & C. Saratchandran
Thousand Days And A Dream for its poignant and dramatic account of the peaceful struggle of common people against a gigantic multinational company supported by the policies of the state in which the people have been deprived of their vital, basic natural resources and livelihood.
Best First Film / Video of a Director Instituted by Indian Documentary Producers'
Manjha by Rahi Anil Barve
Indian Critics Award
Mahua Memoirs by Vinod Raja
Best Film/Video of the Festival
India Untouched — Stories of A People Apart
Special Mention & Certificate of Merit
Our Family by Dr. K.P. Jayasankar & Dr. Anjali Monteiro
Our Family for its compassionate and sensitive portrayal of the third sex — their bonding and their aspirations. The film traces their roots sourced from mythology combined with a mesmerizing one-person performance of the traumas and stigma experienced by their community.
Raga of the River by Rajendra Janglay
Raga of River Narmada for its fascinating flowing visuals highlighting the river in its many vibrant moods through its journey complemented by an exceptional use of the Dhrupad.
For a list of winners in the International Category click here
