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INDIA: Third annual Don Bosco Film Festival shows short films in 100 venues across 20 states in India

(MissionNewswire) The third annual Don Bosco Film Festival of India was held on Jan. 18-19, 2018. The theme for this year was “Youth for Life.” Nearly 100 venues across 20 states in India screened 34 short films that were selected by a panel of experts from hundreds of submissions. The themes of the short films focused on eco-awareness, respect for parents and teachers, alcoholism, social media addiction, teenage problems, peer group pressure, social responsibility, sense of God, ethics of relationships, friendship, hard work, creativity and oppression, among others.

The various categories for the festival include drama, animation, inspirational, comedy, bio-drama, animation and live action, and biopic animation. Titles like “Class of rowdies,” which focuses on the plight of a young teacher who meets a class of rowdy students, or “The right decision,” a film that stresses on the values of education and hard work, featured prominently among titles which also included “Thank you teacher,” “Teenage love,” “Study hard,” “A cup of positivity” and “Happiness.”

The films screened were directed and produced in countries around the globe including, the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Singapore, South Africa, France, Germany, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and India. The shorts range from one minute to 19-minute productions and stressed messages that would lead to a better world.

Film is a powerful medium that can communicate, educate, elevate and inspire viewers. The theme of the film festival was the celebration of youth in a positive and inspiring way, narrating stories of young people who face challenges and struggles in life with courage, determination and faith to emerge as inspiring individuals. The Don Bosco Film Festival is a unique tool to talk to youth in the language and setting that they connect with so easily.

“The Don Bosco Film Festival is unique event that unites the Salesian presence across India in collaboration with government colleges and secular institutions,” says Salesian Father Joaquim Fernandes, delegate from Boscom South Asia.

“This is a wonderful opportunity given to Boscom South Asia (Don Bosco Communications) to highlight the work of Don Bosco and to celebrate our cause for the young through the screening of these short films. I would like to thank my social communication delegates from all the Indian provinces who work to make this film festival a grand success,” he adds.

India is home to 25 percent of the world’s poor and more than 30 percent of the country’s population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. With the largest number of child laborers in the world, India has made significant progress the past eight years reducing the number of out-of-school children from 25 million to 8 million. However, an estimated 11 million children live on the streets facing the daily horrors of rampant exploitation, forced labor, widespread substance abuse and physical violence. Many poor youth see little opportunity or hope for a better life.

Salesian programs across India focus on education and workforce development programs to help youth gain an education and connect to long-term employment. Events like the Don Bosco Film Festival help youth to develop their skills and their talents while preparing them for the future.

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Sources:

ANS – India – Don Bosco Youth Film Festival of India 2018

UNICEF – India