Short Film On Lockdown From Odisha Wins Big At International Film Festival

Bhubaneswar: A short film ‘Abhilash’, based on lockdown has won big in the Best Social Message film category at the Bengal Lockdown Online Film Festival, an international film festival.

The short movie was based on creating awareness around the coronavirus pandemic.

Around 135 films from around the world were in fray at the international film festival organised by Subhamapurva. However, only 50 films from 20 countries could make it to the official nominations.

At the festival, ‘Abhilash’ emerged among the top six winners, according to Business World. Shot in and around Hinjilikatu area of Berhampur, in Ganjam district, Odisha, ‘Abhilash’ is directed by Guru Krishna Chandra Sahu.

“The art of a small town of Odisha has gained national and international recognition,” the filmmaker said.

Expressing his delight on the international award, Sahu said, “This film ‘Abhilash’ is based on the government’s message to save lives by staying at homes. The motive of the film is to show people without any facilities or equipment are making their lives safe,” Sahu was quoted by news agency ANI.

“The Government has introduced a lot any measures of sanitisation, and social distancing.. but people with fewer facilities…how they are fighting against COVID-19 by staying safe without any of the facilities… that is the message which has been shown in the film (sic),” he added further.

“I’m happy that the film has received national and international recognition, our motto was to send the message to people to keep safe without the facilities amid lockdown. This is a positive message and a good concept that we wanted to convey to people through the short film,” the filmmaker said.

Abhilash is the story of a poverty-stricken boy who keeps himself safe amid the coronavirus lockdown and reads messages of social distancing.

This is the first time a short film from Hinjilikatu has been awarded internationally.