Open Space, in collaboration with
Either Or and Symbiosis Law School,  brings you the
Festival of Kabir in Films, Music & Conversations.

The Kabir Festival is a wonderful opportunity to explore and celebrate the
ideas of inclusion, pluralism, and cultural diversity through a quartet of
four critically-acclaime d films by Shabnam Virmani on the life and work of
the15th century saint-poet, the myriad ways in which Kabir lives on in the
subcontinent, and the relevance of Kabir in a 21st century India that is
being increasingly divided along religion, caste and class lines.

The screenings will culminate in a unique music concert that brings together
some of the finest folk-classical- sufi voices of Kabir — Mukhtiar Ali,
Mahesha Ram and Pt Vijay Sardeshmukh.

Entry for all events is free and on a first-come first-served basis.

The Festival is being brought to Pune by the Kabir Project at Srishti School
of Art, Design and Technology.
About the films
*Chalo Hamara Des: Journeys with Kabir and Friends: A journey in search
of Kabir’s “des ” or country unfolds through the narratives of two people
from two very different countries – dalit folk singer Prahlad Tipaniya and
North American scholar Linda Hess.

Had-Anhad: Journeys with Ram and Kabir- Delves into the heart of
divisive Hindu-Muslim politics of religion and nationalism, probing the
forces of history that have created disputatiously diverse Rams, while also
spawning many Kabirs.

Koi Sunta Hai: Journeys with Kumar and Kabir- Interweaves the oral folk
traditions of Kabir in central India with the intensely personal narrative
of the late classical singer Kumar Gandharva. The film journeys between folk
and classical music, between rural and urban expressions of Kabir.

Kabira Khada Bazar Mein: Journeys with Sacred and Secular
Kabir:-Investigates the ironies and tensions between secular and
sacred Kabir,
interweaving the sacralisation of Kabir by the Kabir Panth with the secular
appropriation of the same poet by the activist group Eklavya.
About the musicians
Mukhtiar Ali[- is a Mirasi folk singer from Bikaner and blends the
Rajasthani folk idiom with refined classicism, singing the poetry of Kabir,
Mira and other Sufi poets like Bulleh Shah. Through the Kabir Project,
Mukhtiar was spotted by world music circuits and made his Europe debut in
July 2007.

Vijay Sardeshmukh- is a classical singer who has inherited the stark yet
refined *nirgun* classical style of singing Kabir from his late guru, Pt.
Kumar Gandharva.

Mahesha Ram-from the Meghval community of Rajasthan, represents a hypnotic
folk style typical of the traditional carriers of Kabir’s poetry through the
oral traditions of all-night jagrans and satsangs.

Programme Schedule

Day 1: Saturday – 14th November 2009
Event: Film screening: Chalo Hamara Des; Journeys with Kabir and Friends
(Dur:98 min)
Time: 5.20pm to 7.00pm
Event: *Film Screening; Koi Sunta Hai: Journeys with Kumar and Kabir (Dur:
94 min)
*Time:* 7.10pm to 8.45pm*
Informal Q&A session with filmmaker Shabnam Virmani between 8.50 to 9.30pm
Venue: *Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Law College Road,
Pune – 411004

Day 2 Sunday – 15th November 2009

Event: Film Screening: Kabira Khada Bazar Mein: Journeys with Sacred and
Secular Kabir  (Dur: 94 min) Time: 10.15am to 11.50am
Event: Film Screening: Had Anhad: Journeys with Ram and Kabir (Dur: 102
min)
Time: 12.00pm to 1.45pm.
Informal discussions with filmmaker Shabnam Virmani, Time: 1.50pm to 2.15pm
Venue: National Film Archives of India (NFAI) Law College Road, Pune-
411004

Day 3 Monday – 16th November 2009
Marathon music concert presenting Kabir’s verses in diverse styles
Event: Introduction, followed by Music Concert by Mahesha Ramji
Time: 5.00pm to 6.30pm
Event: Music Concert: Pt.Vijay Sardeshmukh
Time: 6.45pm to 7.45pm
Event:Music concert: Mukhtiar Ali
Time: 8.00pm to 9.00pm
Venue: Symbiosis Vishwa Bhawan, Senapati Bapat Road, Pune 411004

Kabir Project: www.kabirproject. org
For further information on the festival contact:
Rakesh – 0-9921090931
Aditi – 0-9823464048
Open Space – 020-25457371

Green Salute’: Indian and International Awards to the Green Filmmakers and Journalists

India’s premier environment and wildlife film festival CMS VATAVARAN successfully culminated with a glittering award ceremony on October 30 at IHC, New Delhi . There were 25 awards in 15 Indian categories and 10 awards in nine international categories. The eminent guests that were present during the award night include noted filmmaker Mr Mahesh Bhatt, Magsaysay award winner Rajender Singh, H.E Mr Bob Hiensch, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India, Mr Jahnu Baruah, director and chairperson of CMS VATAVARAN 2009 jury, Dr N Bhaskara Rao, Chairman CMS and PN Vasanti, director CMS. The welcome speech was given by Dr. Bhaskara Rao, Chairman, CMS. Mahesh Bhatt, appreciated and congratulated CMS for its persistent efforts to create awareness on environmental issues and said that this year the festival was grander in comparison to last year. This year awardees are:

Indian category awards

• 25 awards in 15 Indian categories were presented in the award night.
• Best of the Festival Award was given to ‘Deeply Superficial’ by Vineet Raj Bagga.

International category awards

• Best of the festival award went to ‘The Soul of Water’ by Kurt Skoog. The film also won the ‘Water for all Award’ in the international category.

The FOURTH annual

NATIONAL SHORT AND DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL 2010

ORGANISED BY

KARIMNAGAR FILM SOCIETY

(AFFILIATED TO FEDERATION OF FILM SOCITIES OF INDIA)

seeks documentaries, short films of any length and format for our 2010 festival taking place in JANUARY 28-31,2010 at KARIMNAGAR, ANDHRA PRADESH.

Festival consists of  competitive section for the PALAPITTA  AWARDS (INDIA ROLLER) for

4th NATIONAL SHORT AND DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL 2010

In the competitive section two PALAPITTA AWARDS for the short and documentary films separately. Winners will be presented Rs.10, 000=00(Rupees ten thousand), Shawl, Memento and a citation as first prize and Rs5000.00 (Rupees five thousand) Shawl, Memento and a citation as second prize for the two categories separately..

LAST DATE :  31 DECEMBER 2009

Schedule

GW Documentary felllowship is an innovative program at The George Washington University to bring the work of emerging international documentary filmmakers to the world stage .  Twenty selected film makers  will be invited to participate this year.

The program, part of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences’ School of Media and Public Affairs, is designed for filmmakers from countries in which the traditional public or private infrastructure for the production and distribution of documentaries does not currently exist. The fellowship encourages the artistic and technical development of filmmakers, heightens the awareness of their work with program executives from the United States and other Western broadcast outlets and fosters an international dialogue to enhance non-fiction filmmaking throughout the world.

Those selected will make two films on location in Washington, D.C., and New York City using the advanced video technology housed at The Documentary Center. Fellows will meet with top U.S. broadcast executives and will share their work with filmmakers across the U.S. In addition, this year’s program will feature a “Teacher Engagement Project” to encourage area secondary school teachers to use international documentaries in their classes. There also will be opportunities for the public to interact with the filmmakers through programs and events throughout the fellowship period.

Please visit The Documentary Center for application information and more on the Fellowship.  The application deadline is December 4, 2009.For more information about GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs, visit www.smpa.gwu.edu.

Asian Documentary Forum
The 7th edition of docedge International Documentary Workshop

will take place from 12th to 17th of January, 2010

at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, India.
This edition of docedge aims to create a platform for intense dialogue on Asian socio-political reality as seen and interpreted by filmmakers through this 3rd Asian Documentary Forum.

The authors will present their new documentary ideas for feedback, input, guidance and possible fund/co-pro support. The workshop includes three days of tutoring and two days of pitching session with a panel of international commissioning editors. Maximum of 24 projects will be critically discussed, tutored and finally pitched to the distinguished panel. A team of internationally acknowledged professionals will train filmmakers through project development clinics and pitch labs in a warm and caring environment where you further improve your ideas and visual pitch.
s.
The last date of submission of projects for consideration is 10th November 2009.

Please log on to www.docedge.org for online application and further details.

watch the Indian premiere of ‘Meat The Truth’ on October 24th,

on the day of the International day of Climate Action at

CED (Centre for Education and Documentation)

in association with IYCN (Indian Youth Climate Network), FIAPO (Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations) , and 350.org

1.   Call for casting: Experimental/ Fiction short film

2.   Call for submission: 60th Berlin International Film Festival - 
Shorts

3.  Call for submission: 60th Berlin International Film Festival - 
Generation

4.   Call for submission: Slamdance Film Festival

5.  Call for submission: Phoenix Film Festival


1.   Call for casting: Experimental/ Fiction short film

The Royal Film Commission – JordanRifqi Assaf – Seven Eight Filmmaking 
with the cooperation of RFC is working on a new Experimental/ Fiction 
short film production with a new with a new promising director.

Roles Needed:

·        
Aisha: Mid 30’s mother and struggling woman

·        
Mahmoud: 25 years old man

·        
Mahmoud Junior: 20 with mind disability

·        
A walking dead body #1:  a male in his 20’s

·        
A walking dead body #2:  a male in his 30’s

·        
Extras: 2 females and 3 males to play lying dead bodies

·        
Voice actor: Old man

·        
Voice actor: Old woman

·        
Voice actor: Radio commentator

Voice actors can send samples to: rifqiassaf@gmail. com instead of 
attending auditions.

The casting will take place on the 24th of October 2009 at the RFC 
from 10:00 Am to 6:00 Pm.

2.   Call for submission: 60th Berlin International Film Festival - 
Shorts

The 60th Berlin International Film Festival will take place from 
February 11-21, 2010 and we are currently preparing the new festival 
edition. As student short films are very welcome at the Berlinale, we 
would like to draw your special attention to the festival’s 
competitions for short films.


Berlinale Shorts is hosting up to 30 short films. They compete for the 
Golden and the Silver Bear, a nomination for the Best European Short 
Film (Prix EFA) and a Berlin scholarship from the DAAD (German Academic 
Exchange Service).

Requirements for submissions:

Duration should be no longer than 30 minutes

Production completed no earlier than 2009

The film may have participated in a national competition or side 
selection in a festival in the country of its origin, but not outside 
the country of origin

The deadline for submissions is on the 16th of November 2009.

For more information please call: Nicole Stecker  +49.30.25920- 212

or

visit: www.berlinale. de

Call for submission: 60th Berlin International Film Festival - 
Generation

The 60th Berlin International Film Festival will take place from 
February 11-21, 2010 and we are currently preparing the new festival 
edition. As student short films are very welcome at the Berlinale, we 
would like to draw your special attention to the festival’s 
competitions for short films.



Generation is hosting two competitions with short films dedicated to a 
young audience:

Kplus shows programs for children of various age groups; short films 
for an audience from 14 years on are presented in the 14plus 
competition. A Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film is awarded in each 
competition. Participants in the Kplus competition also run for the 
Special Prize of the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk, endowed with € 2,500.

Requirements for submissions:

Duration should be no longer than 30 minutes

Production completed no earlier than 2009

Priority will be given to world, international and European premieres

The deadline for submissions is on the 16th of November 2009.

For more information please call: Marguerite Seidel +49.30.25920- 423

or

visit: www.berlinale. de

4.Call for submission: Slamdance Film Festival

Slamdance is a year round organization dedicated to new filmmakers and 
their vision.

The Slamdance Film Festival is dedicated to new filmmakers. We accept 
films in every genre, on any topic from every country around the 
world. Our mission is to bring attention to the most talented emerging 
filmmakers, showcasing their work in the media frenzy of festival week 
in Park City, Utah.

Please submit your film and application to:

Slamdance Film Festival,

ATTN: Submissions,

5634 Melrose Avenue,

Los Angeles, CA 90038

The deadline for submissions is on the 30th of October 2009.

For More information: www.slamdance. com

Call for submission: Phoenix Film Festival

The Phoenix Film Festival is proud to announce the 10th Anniversary of 
our event. The Festival is planning its biggest and best festival ever 
and wants filmmakers to be part of this special
occasion.

Over the last 9 years, the Phoenix Film Festival annually screens over 
100 films, holds amazing parties and provided filmmaking seminars to 
capacity audiences. Over 20,000 attendees enjoy the 8 day festival.

Requirements for submissions:

·    Entry in the Phoenix Film Festival is open to professional and 
non-professional filmmakers working in all film genres: documentary, 
narrative, animation, experimental, etc. Feature films, medium-length 
films, and shorts of all styles and lengths are eligible for 
consideration.

·   Short films are considered to be all films under sixty (60) minutes 
in length.

·   Feature films are considered to be all films sixty (60) minutes or 
more in length.

·    Special competitive categories include: High School Shorts, 
College Shorts, Documentaries, Arizona Films, and more.

The deadline for submissions is on the 30th of October 2009.

Festival mailing address:

1700 N. 7th Ave, Suite 250
Phoenix AZ 85007
U S A
Phone:
602-955-6444
Fax: 602-955-0966
jason@phxfilm. com

For more information: www.phoenixfilmfest ival.org

courtesy [b_f_s]

Pedestrian Pictures is holding the premier of the documentary film The Holy Wives, a journey through the life and struggle of Devadasis in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh on October 4.

The film, directed by Ritesh Sharma, documents the lives of women who were forced into the Devadasi system in her early teens.

It brings out the lives of communities who had been victimised in a system of caste-based sexual exploitation, variously called Devadasis, Jogins, Basavis, Kalawants, Paravatis or Mathammas.

The narrative unfolds through the stories of their life, struggle and their dreams of a dignified life for their children. Even after the system was banned in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, life remains difficult for the Devadasis, in the absence of credible alternatives.

The children from these communities were still being trafficked. Ritesh Sharma is a Delhi-based activist, theatre person who has been associated in several video productions since 2005.

The film will be screened on October 4 at 4.30 p.m. Screening is at IAT, Queens’ Road. For details, email pedepics@gmail.com.

GLOBAL FESTIVAL OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS will be held from

20th to 22nd November, 2009,

at Marwah Studios, Film City,

Noida-NCR, U.P. INDIA.

There will be three categories of films:-

1. Films 7 to10 mts.

2. Films 25 to 30 mts.

3. Feature length Doc.s 90 mts. to 110 mts.

All films made after Ist January 2008 are eligible to participate.