First edition of YathaKatha International film & literature festival takes off

The four-day festival is taking place to discuss cinema and literature under one deck wherein there will be screenings of competing films, book launches, award ceremonies along with several educational events, like literary presentations, various panel discussions, open forums and masterclasses, book launches, special presentations, book exhibitions etc. YathaKatha International Film & Literature Festival will be a milestone in the history of reviving the association of cinema and literature and this will work as an important bridge between atr forms which are already related but due to certain reasons both are losing connection with each other. 

Charu Sharma, the founder of the festival explained the vision behind this initiative in her opening speech... she said, ' this is not only a festival but it is a long lasting journey which has just take it's baby step and in the coming seasons, YathaKatha International Film & Literature Festival will grow like a huge big tree. She spoke in hindi (her mother tongue) and believes that cinema & literature has never been separated from her. 

The festival is open for all but people have to register with their contact details at the registration desk as per government guidelines under pandemic act. The opening ceremony took place on 25th November 2021 in the presence of Mr. Francis Paradis, Consul & Director, Quebec  as ‘Chief Guest’ along with Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo, Vice-Chancellor, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai as ‘Guest Of Honour’ with lighting a lamp and cultural presentation followed by a panel discussion on the topics related to cinema and literature, oral traditions in literature and cinema documentary vs. commercial films, Film festivals – beehives of mushrooms and how do you get funding/ commissioning/ collaboration for your project (film / web-series). 

There was a special screening under 'Country Showcase Chapter' ‘Quebec’ and the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence, Amrit Mahotsav where, Nachiketa, Crossing the line and Ambassador of Socialism - Life & Times of Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya were screened on the opening day of the festival.

The 2nd day of the event also includes the panel discussion on topics like being an author, writing culture, fiction vs. nonfiction writing, five top films based on the literature and is there an Indian way of filmmaking? Apart from the panels and special presentations, there will be  screenings of the films, received from various parts of the world under various categories.

The 3rd of the event will have a panel discussion on the special conversation – ‘on camera off-camera with Bhawana Somaaya, women telling women stories, creative writing – brainstorming or pain storming time, digital storytelling, story reading ‘paradheen’ and book to film adaptations – a profound process. 

At the closing ceremony, Governor of Maharashtra Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari will grace the event as ‘Chief Guest’. The closing ceremony will take place on 28th November 2021 followed with awards distribution and special mentions. The panel discussion includes Poetry Recitation, book launch 'Dr. D – The Wrath Of Tooth Monster’, Language In Cinema And Literature, Keynote Presentation – Role Of Lgbt Content In Cinema And Literature, Special Screening With Q And A With The Filmmaker, Conversation – My Homage To My Guru. 

The jury members are Kamal Swaroop, Rahul Rawail, Aabid Surti, Harris W. Freedman,  , Manvendra Singh Gohil, Piyush Roy, Sanjay Masoom, Amitabh Shrivastava, Brahmanand Singh, Suraj Prakash, Federico Aletta, Radhavallabh Tripathi, Rachel Kadushin, Kamlesh Pandey, Hamid Benamra, The festival is free for all and anyone can visit the festival just by registering at the venue. 

In it's first edition YathaKatha International Film & Literature Festival will also felicitate the veteran actor Manoj Kumar with a special honour for his contribution in cinema and Sir Ruskin Bond for his contribution in the literature world. Both the living legends are going to be a part of this memorable and historical journey.

Founded by Charu Sharma, filmmaker, writer  and a media professional and proven to be the first international cinema and literature festival together, YathaKatha International Film & Literature Festival is an extremely important and independent showcase, inspired by the fruitful interaction of arts – cinema and literature, in particular. 

YKIFLF is not only a festival but it is also a place to discuss cinema and literature under one deck wherein there will be screenings of competing films, book launches, award ceremonies along with several educational events, like literary presentations, various panel discussions, open forums and masterclasses, etc.