70 colleges participate in 2-day cinema festival at GNA varsity
GNA University’s School of Design and Mass Communication organised a two-day “SRIJAN: Canvas of Cinema – Film Festival 1.0”, bringing together creativity, cinema, animation and emerging technologies on one vibrant platform. The festival witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 70 colleges and universities from across the country, making it one of the most dynamic student-led cinema festivals in the region.
The festival featured competitions and screenings across multiple categories including Short Films, AI Animated Movies, Documentaries, Digital Advertisements, Music Videos and Best Live & CG Integration. The event highlighted the evolving landscape of filmmaking where storytelling, technology, visual effects and Artificial Intelligence reshaped modern cinema.
The grand inauguration ceremony was graced by Chancellor S Gurdeep Singh Seehra, Vice-Chancellor Prof (Dr) Hemant Sharma, Registrar Dr Kunal Bains, Dean Academics Dr Monika Hanspal, and Trustee Member Jasleen Seehra, who attended the event as the chief guest. The festival also witnessed the presence of renowned Punjabi film personalities including veteran actor Sardar Sohi and popular actor Barinder Bunny, who interacted with students and shared valuable insights from the film industry.
Addressing the audience, Sardar Sohi emphasised that although technology continued to evolve rapidly, the soul of cinema always remained rooted in honest performances and meaningful storytelling. Barinder Bunny inspired students by sharing his journey in the entertainment industry and encouraged young artists to observe life deeply, stating that observation formed the true foundation of character building and acting.
The film screenings received an overwhelming response from the audience. Films such as Kanjak, Khamosh Rishtey, Phera and Kirdaar captivated viewers with emotionally powerful narratives and socially relevant themes, generating thoughtful discussions around human emotions, labour conditions and social realities.
The second day of the festival featured interactions with esteemed actors Samuel John, Malkit Rauni, Qurbaan and Sargi Kaur Barring. Samuel John spoke about the importance of confidence, screen presence and understanding characters in filmmaking, while Malkit Rauni delivered an inspiring session motivating students to pursue their dreams fearlessly and passionately. Actor Qurbaan shared insights about his upcoming movie MCOCA and inspired students by discussing his journey, struggles and experiences in the film industry.
One of the major highlights of the festival was the energetic Bollywood-themed Cosplay Character Walk, where students recreated iconic film characters through remarkable costumes, expressions and performances. The cosplay segment brought cinematic nostalgia, excitement and vibrant energy to the event, becoming one of the most appreciated attractions of the festival.
The festival concluded with a grand award ceremony recognising outstanding achievements in filmmaking, animation, AI cinema and creative storytelling. “SRIJAN: Canvas of Cinema – Film Festival 1.0” successfully provided young creators with a platform to showcase their talent, exchange ideas and celebrate the spirit of cinema and visual storytelling.
