Preparations intensify for Sikkim International Film Festival

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif"><b>GANGTOK, (IPR):</b> As part of ongoing preparations for the upcoming Sikkim International Film Festival (SIFF), the Information and Public Relations department today held its second coordination meeting with representatives of the film fraternity of Sikkim at the conference hall of Soochna Bhawan in Gangtok.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The festival is scheduled to be held from 19 to 22 March in the capital.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Present during the meeting were chairman, IPR, Ashit Rai, chairman, Sikkim Film Promotion Board, Tashi Tshering Bhutia, press secretary to the Chief Minister, Yougan Tamang, secretary, IPR, Annapurna Alley, director, IPR, Sunil Mothay, and prominent filmmakers Prashant Rasaily, Samten Bhutia and Tribeny Rai, along with other members of the film fraternity of the State.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">IPR chairman Ashit Rai, briefed the gathering on the significance of organising the SIFF and called for collective efforts from all stakeholders to make the event a success. He emphasised the need for unity and active collaboration among members of the film fraternity, particularly through the constitution of jury members and various committees for the smooth conduct of the festival.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Sikkim Film Promotion Board chairman Tashi Tshering Bhutia, highlighted that the welfare and growth of the film industry remain a priority for the State government. He stated that initiatives undertaken for the festival should not remain confined to the event alone but should continue to benefit the industry in the long run.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Press secretary to the CM, Yougan Tamang, extended full support of the State government for the festival and informed that a series of coordination meetings will continue until the successful conclusion of the event. He also spoke about the vision of positioning Sikkim as the Himalayan capital of films.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Filmmaker Samten Bhutia spoke about the importance of the Waves Bazaar, an integral component of the festival, stating that it would provide opportunities not only for emerging filmmakers but also for experienced professionals.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">He informed that pitch sessions are being planned where budding filmmakers can present their ideas and projects. Stressing that time is a constraint, he urged all stakeholders to work aggressively and generate greater visibility for Sikkimese cinema.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Filmmaker Tribeny Rai elaborated on how co-production meetings function and suggested organising workshops to help local filmmakers effectively pitch their projects to potential collaborators and producers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Filmmaker Prashant Rasaily emphasised the need for building a stronger foundation for filmmakers in the State and highlighted the importance of a film policy and greater awareness about the benefits available to the industry.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">He stated that the State government and the IPR department have been supportive and expressed optimism that the master classes and sessions planned during the festival would benefit aspiring filmmakers and enthusiasts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">During the meeting, Manoj Rai was selected as the Film Market Chief Coordinator. Members of the jury for the short film competition (Sikkim category), the preview committee (Sikkim chapter), the preview committee for curated films, and the pitching preview committee were also finalised.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

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