City girls win accolades for movie on progressive farmer
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, August 10
‘Land of Hope’, a short movie based on the theme biodiversity and directed by young city-based film-makers Ishita Bhardwaj and Anuja Sharma, has been declared as the winner at Centre for Media Studies Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife International Film Festival (CMS VATAVARAN), a three-minute film competition held during the lockdown.
CMS VATAVARAN is a pioneer in international film festivals and a forum on environment and wildlife in India. Using films as a window to delve into nature, the festival showcases the best of Indian and International films and documentaries.
The girls made the film on a former lawyer, Kamaljit Hayer of Ferozepur, who left practice despite good income, after he saw two young deaths in his family. He sensed that there was a direct link between diet and longevity. So, he switched to organic farming and now grows various kinds of crops at his farm on his 20-acre land. There are 1,500 trees of 20 species and livestock.
“We decided to make a film on Mr Hayer because his story was so inspiring and motivating for others. We understood his working, got to know about his background, and efforts he was making. We spent time with him and at his farm, too. That’s how we directed the short film,” said Ishita Bhardwaj.
Anuja Sharma said getting an award from the prestigious platform was an achievement. “It has given a boost to our morale. It took a lot of hard work and eventually, it got paid. We couldn’t have wished for anything better, that too amid these depressed times of the pandemic,” Sharma told.
About the festival
The main competitive festival is organised in New Delhi, where the best entries from across the world are nominated and awarded. Public screenings are held and a vast range of conservation issues are deliberated among practitioners during interactive sessions.
Excelled at 10th CMs VATAVARAN, too
Last year, too, the girls had brought laurels to the city after their movie was selected for the 10th CMS Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife Film Festival, which was held from November 27 to 30 in 2019. Their film ‘Indoor Deaths’ based on indoor air pollution was nominated to the competition out of 345 entries. Anuja and Ishita had then also got an invitation for the festival where the film was screened.
