IFFI makes no sense if film students are barred: Saeed Mirza

GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 24 November 2015 14:15 IST

Saeed Mirza, renowned filmmaker of India and former chairman of FTII, has strongly objected to an undemocratic act of barring the students of FTII from attending the 46th International Film Festival of India, held in Goa.

While police force was kept ready outside the venue along with a police van, Mirza was personally present to watch the parallel film festival organised by the protesting students of Film and Television Institute of India.

“Film festival is meant for the students learning film. Having festival without them makes no sense”, he told goanews.com after watching the whole session of five films at Nossa Senhora de Piedade Institute in Panaji.

He expressed concern over the future of film industry when the authorities have started suppressing the voice of student community, who are the future filmmakers.

When asked how he compares the FTII during his tenure and now, Mirza wondered whether the institute could develop a generation with free thinking mind if their voice of dissent is not respected.

Stating that he came to express solidarity with the students fighting for a cause of saving freedom of expression, Mirza wondered where India is heading to with a suppressive regime we are facing.

“It’s not only happening with FTII but practically every institute of art and culture in the country, where people are appointed not to encourage freedom of expression but to suppress it”, said Mirza.

He has once again cautioned to the whole film fraternity to realise what lies ahead if they remain silent and appealed to them to come forward in one voice to resist the suppressive acts of the authorities.  


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