In 2007, the world witnessed a stupendous film festival for the first time in the city. The Hyderabad International Film Festival (HIFF) was much appreciated and continued in the next year too, but after that, it entered a black hole, never to return. Since then, the only major film festivals that took place in the city was the bi-annual Children’s one.
Several artistes and technicians participate in these festivals which screen films from world cinema and become a platform to exchange culture. “Film festivals encourage filmmakers and give film lovers a chance to see different kind of cinema. It also lets us showcase our local culture to the world,” says Thammareddy Bharadwaj, who organised the first HIFF along with filmmaker B. Narasinga Rao. The festival cost them Rs 27 lakhs. “Initially, it was difficult to get sponsors but when it was successful, people like Rama Naidu and Dasari Narayana Rao donated lakhs for the event. By the next edition, internal politics began and someone from the directors’ association spoilt it. They thought we were minting money in the name of the festival,” says Thammareddy who stayed away from the second edition which was organised by the Telugu Directors’ Association along with the Hyderabad Film Club. “The organisers didn’t even return the discs of the movies they received for the screening. It gave a bad impression to the outside world,” adds Thammareddy.
Like many other art forms, film festivals are run by like-minded individuals with a strong network. “It is not a profit venture initially, but after three to four editions, you make money that can be used to organise the festivals better,” says Producer Suresh Babu.
He added that the Film Development Corporation or the government should support those who want to relaunch the festival. “Although movies are readily available on the Internet, Festivals are about bringing people to the city and exchanging culture,” he says.
Film festivals at Bengaluru, Mysuru, Goa, Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai are a success and many big stars like Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan often attend it.
“Ours is only commercial cinema when compared to Malayalam or Kannada film industries — they are producing some award-winning, different films,” says Suresh.
