An upcoming film fest wants to test your nerves with stories on murderous revenge, bizarre creatures and failed science experiments
Found Footage
ADVERTISEMENT
Four friends go on a mission to find a ghost, which is haunting a school. The ghost hunters have been hired to free the spirit/s. But, when they enter the school, they find themselves trapped in a time loop they cannot escape. If the premise of Found Footage has your attention, you can watch this movie and other horror shorts at the first edition of the Sixth Sense Horror Film Festival.
"The idea for the festival came from one of the festivals’ directors, Shaunak Sirrole, who has been making horror films. During talks, we realised that there is a whole section of filmmakers who are making short films in the genre and there are people who would love to watch them," says Farhad Katgara, VP of Resources Go Beyond, co-organiser of the festival.
Shah Mat
The organisers put out a call for entries about eight months ago and short-listed 50 films. "We have a jury that will select the top 10 films out of these, and those will be screened on the last day. A winner will be picked at the end of the festival," adds Katgara.
Tilly
The three-day festival takes place this weekend and will feature 50 films from 25 countries. Found Footage, the Marathi short that will premiere at the festival also marks the debut of Sushrut Mankani, son of veteran Marathi actor Ravindra Mankani. Found Footage derives its name from the technique used to shoot it, wherein the film is presented as if it were shot live. The camera becomes a character in the film. The events that unfold on screen are typically seen through the camera of one of the characters.
"The horror genre has not been explored in Marathi films, particularly using this filmmaking technique," says Mankani. "I have always been fascinated by horror. It plays on the idea of fear, and that can come from anywhere. It need not be just ghosts or scary faces."
Jeffrey Reddick
The final day of the festival will see a special screening of guest of honour, Jeffrey Reddick’s Dead Awake. Reddick is best known for creating the Final Destination series. "We are excited to have him attend the festival. He will also be conducting a workshop for students," adds Katgara.
Some of the other films to be screened include Shah Mat. Directed by Kirill Kripak, the movie that was shot in 48 minutes, is about the battle of good versus evil played out in a game. Then there’s Girl#2, a horror comedy directed by David Jeffrey, about a maniac who enters a house intending to kill the girls who are partying in it. All the films that will be screened have made the rounds of the festival circuit, including International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Fest, Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival, Crypticon Seattle Horror Film Festival, Bone Bat Comedy of Horrors Film Fest and Boston Independent Film Festival.
"This is our trial run. Next year, we intend to go bigger," says Katgara.
On May 18 to 20; 10.30 am At Ravindra Natya Mandir and YB Chavan Auditorium.
To register, Call 8655380888