115th Edition of AAFT Festival of Short Digital Films at Marwah Studios
Noida witnessed a grand celebration as the 115th edition of the AAFT Festival of Short Digital Films was launched with great fanfare. Dr. Sandeep Marwah, the driving force behind the festival, proudly shared its accomplishments.
The festival was recently honored by the World Book of Records London, which recognized it as a world record holder for being the only festival to reach its 115th edition. It is also the only festival that takes place four times a year and has provided a golden opportunity to 3,000 directors and 12,000 film technicians to showcase their debut films.
The esteemed chief guest of the event was Satish Rai, a renowned filmmaker from Australia. He recounted his journey in the film industry, which began at Marwah Studios twenty-two years ago when he visited Sandeep Marwah at Noida Film City. Dr. Sandeep Marwah had the honor of releasing Satish Rai’s fifth book, “Romance with Cinema,” during the festival. A passage from the book was read, highlighting his memorable interaction with Dr. Marwah.
The festival featured an array of exceptional films that captivated the large audience from India and abroad. Some notable films showcased were “Film After Accident” directed by Ajaj Ahmed, “Loop” directed by Suraj BK, “The Celebration” by Deepali, “Kahanibaaz” by Bhagmal, “Talk Show” by Tisha Arora, and the music video “Karmacoma” directed by Deepali.
Several esteemed personalities graced the event with their presence, including Zena Chung, a social worker from South Korea, Vinay Reddy Sarikonda, Vice Chancellor of the European Digital University in the UAE, Surabhi Pandey, a writer and actor, Saarthak Chaudhary, a model and actor, Divya Goel, a para-athlete and lecturer, Aslam Khan, an event designer from Mumbai, and Dr. Ajay Kumar, the Director of AAFT Quality Control.
Independence Day of Togo Celebrated at ICMEI Marwah Studios Noida
Noida: The International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry (ICMEI) celebrated the Independence Day of Togo on April 27th, extending their warmest congratulations to the people of Togo.
As Togo commemorated the anniversary of their independence, ICMEI recognized the immense contributions of the Togolese people to the global community. Togo has a rich cultural heritage, and its people have made significant strides in the fields of art, music, and film.
Sandeep Marwah, President of Marwah Studios, spoke on behalf of ICMEI, praising the resilience and spirit of the Togolese people in their pursuit of freedom, democracy, and human rights. Marwah expressed his commitment to strengthening the cultural ties between Togo and India, highlighting the importance of mutual cooperation and understanding between nations.
ICMEI recognizes the significance of cultural exchange in promoting peace and understanding between nations, and stands ready to support the development of Togo’s creative industry. Once again, ICMEI congratulates the people of Togo on their Independence Day and wishes them continued success in their journey towards prosperity and growth.
The International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry (ICMEI) proudly joins the global community in celebrating Freedom Day of South Africa on April 27th. On behalf of the media and entertainment industry and the entire fraternity of art and culture, we extend our heartiest congratulations to the people of South Africa.
Sandeep Marwah, President of Marwah Studios, took the occasion to express his deep admiration for the remarkable achievements of South Africa since gaining its hard-won freedom from apartheid. He praised the unwavering spirit of South Africans in their pursuit of democracy, justice, and equality, which serves as an inspiration to people across the world.
South Africa is a land of diverse cultures, languages, and traditions, and the nation’s creative industry plays a vital role in showcasing this rich heritage to the world. ICMEI recognizes the importance of cultural exchange and collaboration between nations, and we stand ready to work with South Africa to further strengthen the bonds between our peoples.
Once again, we congratulate the people of South Africa on this momentous day, and we wish them continued success and prosperity in their journey towards a brighter and more equitable future. The event was supported by Indo South Africa Film and Cultural Forum.
Independence Day of Sierra Leone Celebrated at Marwah Studios
Noida: ICMEI, the International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry, extends its warmest congratulations to the people of Sierra Leone on the occasion of their Independence Day on April 27th. The President of Marwah Studios, Sandeep Marwah, spoke on behalf of the entire fraternity of art and culture in India to express their well wishes.
Sierra Leone, a country rich in culture and history, has come a long way since gaining its independence in 1961. Today, the nation is a beacon of hope and progress for many in the region, with a rapidly developing economy and a thriving arts and entertainment scene.
ICMEI and the Indian entertainment industry recognize the importance of cultural exchange and collaboration between nations, and stand ready to work with Sierra Leone to further strengthen the ties between our peoples.
Once again, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the people of Sierra Leone on this special day. Indo Sierra Leone Film and Cultural Forum Supported the event.
ICMEI- India Signed MOU with South Korean Cultural Association
Noida: The International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry (ICMEI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea India Cultural & Economy Exchange Association (KICEA) on recently to promote cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
The MOU was signed by Rajiv Mathur of Indo Korea Film and Cultural Forum on one side and Eom Nam Suk, founder & Chairperson of KICEA, in the presence of dignitaries and industry leaders from both countries. The agreement aims to strengthen cultural ties between India and Korea by facilitating collaborations in the fields of art, culture, film, and media.
Sandeep Marwah highlighted the importance of cultural exchange in building bridges between nations and promoting peace and harmony. He expressed his optimism for the fruitful partnership between ICMEI and KICEA, which will bring together the creative minds of both countries and pave the way for new avenues of collaboration.
Eom Nam Suk echoed Marwah’s sentiments, expressing his enthusiasm for the MOU and the possibilities it holds for promoting cultural exchange and cooperation between Korea and India.
The signing of the MOU marks a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations and fostering a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures. An intimation was also sent to the Embassy of Korea in New Delhi.
Zaigham Hameed Butt at AAFT for Cinema Workshop for Students
Noida : Young filmmaker Zaigham Hameed Butt conducted an informative workshop for cinema students of AAFT, providing valuable insights into the art of filmmaking. The workshop covered various aspects of the craft, including storytelling, screenplay writing, cinematography, editing, and sound design.
“The students were able to learn from Hameed’s experience and receive practical advice on how to improve their skills as aspiring filmmakers. The workshop proved to be an enriching experience for the students, helping them to gain a deeper understanding of the filmmaking process and inspiring them to pursue their passion for cinema,” said Dr. Sandeep Marwah President of Marwah Studios and AAFT School of Cinema.
Zaigham Hameed Butt is a filmmaker based in UK/India and the co-founder of Soul For Screen Ltd, a film/tv/vfx production company. After completing his BA hons in filmmaking at the prestigious London College of Communication, UAL, Zaigham decided to start his own venture along with fellow university colleagues to produce stories that could leave an impact while entertaining their audience.
His diverse portfolio consists of short films (playing on platforms like Disney Plus Hotstar, Shorts TV, MX Player) commercials (brands like Just Eat, Papa Johns) and music videos with known companies here in India.
He was also recently selected as a director amongst 75 artists across India for the Creative Minds of Tomorrow program at IFFI Goa organised by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting India. Zaigham is currently working on a TV show along with a short film series while developing a new marketing media vertical for Soul For Screen.
Sandeep Marwah Presented David Meshki with Membership of IFTC of AAFT
Noida: In a positive development for India-Georgia relations, Devid Meshki, a prominent figure in the art and culture scene in Georgia, has announced his collaboration with the International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry (ICMEI) to promote art and culture between the two nations.
David Meshki, who has been associated with the Georgian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and is a well-known art promoter, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration with ICMEI and his desire to strengthen ties between the two countries through art and culture,” said Dr. Sandeep Marwah President of ICMEI & Marwah Studios.
The partnership between David Meshki and ICMEI is expected to create opportunities for artists and cultural exchange programs between India and Georgia, allowing for a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other’s artistic heritage.
This announcement comes at a time when the two countries have been exploring ways to enhance their bilateral relations, with a particular focus on trade, investment, and tourism. The collaboration between David Meshki and ICMEI is a welcome step towards fostering greater cultural ties between India and Georgia.
Later, Dr. Sandeep Marwah Honoured David with life membership of International Film and Television Club of AAFT. He was also inducted to Indo Georgia Film and Cultural Forum of ICMEI.
Film from Azerbaijan Begged Award of Distinction at 11th GFJN-2023
Noida: The documentary film “Legend of Kharibulbul” by professional Swedish photographer and filmmaker Mikael Silkeberg begged the Award of Distinction at 11th Global Festival of Journalism Noida 2023. The award was presented by Festival President Dr. Sandeep Marwah to Ambassador of Azerbaijan H.E. Dr. Ashraf Shikhaliyev in a grand function after the screening of the film.
“Art and culture play a vital role in strengthening the ties between India and Azerbaijan. Both countries have a rich cultural heritage that can be shared and celebrated. Collaborations in fields such as music, dance, and cinema can deepen mutual understanding and promote people-to-people connections. Let us work towards building a strong cultural bridge between our nations,” spoke Dr. Sandeep Marwah at the event.
“India and Azerbaijan enjoy warm and friendly relations based on historical and cultural ties. Bilateral cooperation in areas such as energy, trade, and investment has strengthened our partnership. I am confident that our countries will continue to work closely to promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity through art and culture,” added Dr. Ashraf Shikhaliyev.
The documentary, shot on the initiative of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Sweden, with the support of the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO and Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture, features remarks by a number of well-known cultural and artistic figures about history of Karabakh and its crown – the city of Shusha, its music and literature, as well as historical figures. The shootings of the film also took place in Shusha.
Street Play by AAFT Cinema Students was a Big Hit During Global Festival
Noida: The AAFT School of Cinema organized a street play on social issues during all the three days of 11th Global Festival of Journalism at Marwah Studios, that received appreciation from all who witnessed it. The play was a collaborative effort by the students, who wrote, directed, and performed the play themselves.
The play addressed a range of social issues, such as gender inequality, domestic violence, and environmental degradation, using humor, and drama to drive home important messages. It was an engaging and thought-provoking performance that left a lasting impact on the audience.
“The street play also highlighted the power of art and performance in bringing about social change. Through their play, the students were able to raise awareness about important social issues and inspire the audience to take action,” said Dr. Sandeep Marwah President of AAFT.
The event was a great success, with the students receiving praise for their excellent performance and impactful message. It was a testament to the talent and dedication of the AAFT School of Cinema students, who used their creativity and passion for cinema to make a difference in society.
Overall, the street play was an excellent initiative by the AAFT School of Cinema, and a great example of how art and performance can be used to promote social change and create awareness about important issues.
Former Member Parliament Braj Mohan Ram at AAFT Noida Film City
“It is an honor to be here today, addressing such a talented group of individuals. Even though the former member of parliament, I am committed to supporting the arts and creative industries, including the world of cinema said Braj Mohan Ram, an Indian politician and member of the Bhartiya Janata Party. Ram was one time MLA and three times MP- member of the Lok Sabha from the Palamu Constituency in Jharkhand.
“Cinema is a powerful medium that can entertain, educate, and inspire. It has the ability to bring people together, to share ideas and experiences, and to create a sense of community. As filmmakers, you have the power to make a difference in the world through your art,” suggested Braj Mohan Ram.
“I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities that are available to you here at AAFT, and to use your skills and creativity to tell meaningful stories that resonate with audiences. It is through your work that you can bring about change, challenge perceptions, and promote positive values,” expressed Dr. Sandeep Marwah founder of Noida Film City and President of Marwah Studios.
Remember that as filmmakers, you have a responsibility to use your platform wisely. Use your voice to bring attention to important issues and to make a positive impact in society. I wish you all the best in your endeavours and look forward to seeing your future successes added Braj Mohan Ram.
Later Students of Cinema were presented with their awards brought to college from different competitions. Dr. Marwah presented Life Membership of International Film and Television Club of AAFT to the distinguished guest.
Asian News Agency 