It could be something simple like spreading the message of the importance of a smile or some thought provoking meaning you could find in observing the pattern of flight of a butterfly “ one can find a story in anything. And the ability to narrate this story through visuals in a limited amount of time, is a wonderful challenge indeed for the many film makers who enjoy the medium of short films.
“ Whenever I looked at magazines or newspapers the first thing that used to attract me and still does are the visuals and its power to convey emotions in a single image.And it was this challenge of conveying various emotions to the audience in just a few visuals making them both precise and extremely thought provoking at the same time that attracted me to making short films. It allowed me the opportunity to put forth idea and questions which I could not ask directly. Also these films wouldn't just give information but would make you think and question too,” says Jayavanti Loundo, who has made films like Within, Experiencing Hope, Alive in time and Mamo.
“ Short films are more intense and the reaction is immediate,” agrees Nalini Elvino e Souza, who has been in the film business for many years, and made award winning films like Dances of Goa, as well as produced short films like Paklo. Film maker Yogesh Kapri, who has made films like Jago Goa, Half Cut, U Turn, likens the medium to a weapon. “ In two minutes, you can produce and effect which is not possible in feature film,” he says.
And with the vast availability of digital platforms, some believe that it is a great time to make short films. “With the internet it is possible for a short film to go viral. Also, You can also earn as Youtube puts ads on a video after crossing a certain no of viewership,” believes Swapnil Salkar, another film maker.
While Loundo believes that the easy availability of digital cameras and the increasing opportunities to showcase these at various film festivals is also a bonus as it helps films reach a wider global audience.
However, film festival opportunities apart, the lack of revenue, enough platforms and an audience remain some of the challenges that these film makers have to contend with in Goa.
“ While you put in a lot of finance, there are no returns unless a film is selected for a festival,” says Tinky George, who together with Amol Ajgaonkar runs Goa Talkies which aims at making Goa centric films and have made films related to social causes like The Gift and The Helmet. In fact, The Helmet has been selected for the International Film Festival of India 2015 in the non feature section. “ In other states, short films can be given to the local TV channels so that this way some cost of the production is met. But this is not the case in Goa as yet.”
Sousa adds that the absence of an adequate audience for this genre is also a matter of concern. “Abroad, for instance the Bulgaria Film Festival is especially devoted to short films. But here the audience is not as open as abroad to receiving these films. Maybe this is because they are used to the long Bollywood films,” she says.
Kapri, whose films are screened at schools and colleges, laments that the Chota Film Centre, which was an initiative started at the International Film Festival of India in 2009 was an excelent platform for short film makrs to showcase their talent. “With the shutting down of this center, there is no platform,” he says. “ Also, it is tiresome to go to Mumbai every time to procure the censor certificate. There is a need to open a window here in Goa.”
Yet, despite these hurdles, film makers continue to pursue this genre with a passion. And the reasons for these vary. “Most people make short films merely for the love of the craft. They do it despite knowing they might not recover it. Although most people see it as a step towards feature films, I feel that short films should be given as much importance as a feature. There could be paid screening just like for feature films and have local distributers for these films,” says Loundo. Indeed, George too shares Loundo's opinion with regards to short films being but a stepping stone to feature films.
“ Short films give young talent who do not have the revenue to make a feature film a chance to display their talent. In fact most budding film makers start with short films in the hope of making a future with feature films,” states George, who is also all set to come out with a feature film next year. But Sousa, disagrees. “ Sometimes perhaps this is the case, but not always. Many do it just because they want to make it and not for recognition,” she opines.
