Faridabad: The Department of Media and Communication Studies at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS) recently organized the 11th edition of Avlokan, its annual student film festival. This year’s theme was “Unheard, Untold, and Unnamed”, encouraging students to explore voices from the margins and lesser-known narratives.
The festival attracted around 100 entries from across India. Students submitted their work in three categories: short films, documentaries, and reels. Many films focused on themes like social justice, personal journeys, and cultural heritage.
Notably, the short film “Lady Bird” by Shivi Gakher from Bennett University won Best Short Film. Her story highlighted the importance of girls’ education and equal opportunities. Similarly, in the documentary category, Ananya Katti from DY Patil International University won Best Documentary for “Adhantarit,” a film shedding light on Pune’s neglected heritage buildings.
In the short film category, Shivi Gakher from Bennett University won the Best Film Award for “Lady Bird”. Her film emphasized the importance of girls’ education and equal opportunities.
In the documentary section, Ananya Katti from DY Patil International University earned the top prize for “Adhantarit”. She explored the neglected condition of Pune’s historic buildings. In the reels category, Devanshi Ahuja and Lavanya Logani from Manav Rachna International School stood out with their unique storytelling.
Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, inaugurated the event. He said films have the power to reflect society’s conscience and bring about positive change. Actress and activist Gul Panag, in a conversation with journalist Denzil O’Connell, spoke about the emotional depth of cinema. She said, “Films can challenge our fears, reflect our hopes, and inspire action.”
Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President of Manav Rachna, said, “Avlokan gives students a platform to explore and express their creativity.”
Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, Vice Chancellor of MRIIRS, added, “Creative expression is vital today. We see this event as an important part of academic learning.”
Ms. Jasmita Oberoi, Chief Creative Officer at Manav Rachna and Head of Radio Manav Rachna 107.8 FM, curated the event.
Dr. Shilpi Jha, Dean of the School of Media and Humanities, said, “We want to build a platform that inspires new ideas and stories. Our goal is to shape the next generation of filmmakers and audiences.”
The jury included Dr. Anugyan Nag (AJK MCRC), actor and writer Amitabh Srivastava, filmmaker Ruchika Negi, and Sameer Ashraf from Sony India.
At the closing session, actor Abhinav Chaturvedi, known for Hum Log, encouraged students to stay confident and follow their passion. He said such festivals help young talent grow and find direction.
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