There were already signs that the metaphorical dam that had blocked the entry of new talent into Malayalam cinema had been breached. At least 30 per cent of the 150-odd films taken this year were made by debutants, most of them below 30. The 18th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) now plans to unleash a burst of new talent into the industry.
For the first time ever, the IFFK through its Film Marketing wing, is offering aspiring filmmakers a platform to pitch their creations to leading producers in Malayalam. “Any film-related concept can be sold at the IFFK film market,” said actor Ravindhar, who heads the film market.
If it is a script, the writer has to submit a ‘treatment’ or gist of the film in not more than five pages. The condensed script should be submitted to the Chalachithra Academy before December 5. If it is talent an aspiring filmmaker wants to pitch, he or she will have to submit copies of his/her short films to the Academy before December 5. The synopsis can also be mailed to filmmarketiffk@gmail.c om.
“We have an expert team to assess these works and talents found promising will be linked to leading producers and filmmakers,” Ravindhar said.
One-to-one discussions with producers and filmmakers will be organised.
Ravindhar said that short filmmakers could make use of this opportunity to great effect. “A number of debutants this year, be it Rojin Thomas and Shanil Muhammad ('Philips and the Monkey Pen') or Alphonse Putharen ('Neram'), cut their teeth on short films. Aspiring actors, too, can pitch their talent. Theatre actor G. Balachandran, for instance has produced 'Tide', to pitch his acting talent at the IFFK."
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