Bhubaneswar: A total of 45 films, including feature films, short fiction, documentaries and student projects, are being showcased at the 5th Kalinga Global Film Festival (KGFF).
The three-day festival, which was inaugurated at KIIT-DU on Friday, has brought together an impressive array of filmmakers, producers, and cine lovers from across the country.
The films are being screened across multiple venues on the sprawling KIIT campus.
Odisha minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the annual event has inspired the state’s cinema and artistic community.
“Cinema has a significant impact on our society. This festival brings hope and belief that it will usher in new opportunities for Odisha’s film industry,” said Suraj, Minister of State (Ind. Charge) for Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, Odia Language Literature & Culture.
“KIIT and KISS are two universities with a human touch. Despite being only 21 years old, KIIT has become a centre of excellence, and we will continue to take this festival to greater heights,” said KIIT and KISS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta, under whose leadership KGFF has grown into a platform for celebrating cinema.
Film producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah expressed his admiration for KIIT’s journey.
“Staying in Mumbai, we did not realise the massiveness of KIIT. It is magical and inspirational that such a world-class university was built in just 25 years. This forum is important to expand our knowledge base. Odisha has immense talent that deserves to be brought into the mainstream, and this platform is a step toward that goal,” he said.
Producer Abhishek Agarwal urged filmmakers to shine a spotlight on Odisha’s talent.
“We have many unsung heroes in Odisha. I hope to see more films from here showcasing their stories and talents at the national level,” Abhishek said.
Director Jadumoni Dutta lauded the unique contributions of KIIT and KISS, saying that these are “temples of learning”, and KISS stands out as “something extraordinary”.
The festival also featured masterclasses, discussions and screenings across venues, including the Campus-6 and Campus-17 Auditoriums, the Open Air Theatre, and the Seminar Hall.
Among other notable attendees were producers Abhishek Tarachand Jain, Mayank Singhaniya, Navjyot Bandiwadekar; directors Tushar Hiranandani and Sagar Suneel Puranik; actress Rupali Sood; wildlife filmmaker Subbiah Nallamuthu; and Bollywood writer Raaj Shaandilyaa.
Movies screened at the festival included ‘Google Matrimony’, ‘Mo Bou, Mo Gaan’, ‘Bahi Tracing my Ancestors’, ‘Under The Bed’, ‘Rachamma’, ‘Srikanth’, ‘Ballad of the mountain’, ‘Main Nida’, ‘Roti Koon Banasi’, ‘Amar Aaj Marega’ ‘Atattor’, ‘Kite & I’, and ‘Sam Bahadur’.
