At a time when the state has just big adieu to the 48th International Film Festival of India, Bianca Dias, a qualified mountaineer and avid trekker hailing from Santa Cruz in Tiswadi, is giving shape to her dream - an adventure film festival - which will be held for one day on December 10 at the Maquinez Palace in Panaji.
This will be the first ever adventure film festival Goans will get to witness on the big screen giving them a choice of watching some of the carefully-curated short films.
However, Bianca is finding it difficult to sum up the necessary finances to organize the fest. "Without sponsorships it is very difficult to organize such an event. As a last resort, I will have to organize it with my own internal resources," she says, never giving up hope.
But why an adventure film festival? The avid mountaineer, who has led many treks into the wilderness of the Western Ghats under her entity OffTrail Adventure, answers, "First of all there is no awareness about adventure activities in the State. All that people really know or are interested in is the beaches. The main objective of this festival is to create awareness on the adventure aspects and wild side of Goa."
The festival intends to showcase some of the lesser-known short films showcasing travels, expeditions, mountaineering and other forms of adventures.
So, what does the film festival has in store? In all, there will 25 short film screenings, including 14 films from the ‘Mountain Film Festival' of Indian Mountaineering Foundation. Besides, the festival has started getting entries from local and Indian adventure buffs who are eager and excited to showcase their works on the big screen. And for all their hard work, the film buffs will get cash prizes and gift vouchers.
Besides films, there is a section open for adventure and wildlife photographers to showcase their works. From the photographs that are received, 50 will be shortlisted for display and competition. In this section too, three prizes will be given.
The festival, which is being organised in collaboration with Goa Hiking Association and Indian Mountaineering Foundation, will stress on the need to educate and ensure conservation of wildlife, subjects which are very dear to Bianca.
She adds, "The avowed objective of this festival is to infuse love for adventure among youth and show them that adventure sports could be a career option. Goa has a lot of potential in this area because it has the three main ingredients for real time adventure - water (includes sea and rivers), some of the peaks of the Western Ghats and wind, which could be used for paragliding."
But why only movies? Bianca replies, "Initially, people asked why IFFI in Goa, but now the festival has been well accepted and gained enough ground. So, why not an adventure film festival? Movies inspire people and hopeful this fest will develop a sense of liking and culture for the outdoors."
However, she expresses dismay that not enough is being done in this area and it becomes paramount to bring adventure lovers and local stakeholders on a common platform to show them that the real potential lies so close to them.
Bianca, who has summited many a mountain peak around Uttarakhand and other parts of Northern India, concludes by saying that she has taken the organisation of the film festival as a challenge and it is almost akin to summiting a tough peak.
