In a city where people eat, sleep and breathe Bollywood, starting a short film club was a risky venture, but it was a risk that paid off.
In a city where people eat, sleep and breathe Bollywood, starting a short film club was a risky venture, but it was a risk that paid off.
The Shamiana Short Film Club, which was formed first in Mumbai and then in Pune a year-and-a-half ago, has now become an integral part of the city's culture, asserts founder Cyrus Dastur.
Small world
"Our motto is to entertain people with an excellent body of cinema. We have showcased every genre, from thrillers to comedy," said Dastur.
The club today has almost 20,000 members and holds screenings every month. The films screened recently include Story of a Caramel by Pedro Mota Teixeira (Portugal), Yoddha by Ashok Patil (India); Eraser by Anindita Ghosh (India); Trapped by Marcus Korhonen and Rumbi Katedza (UK); Terry Tate Office Line Backer by Rawson Marshal Phurber (US) and Little Girl Waiting by Esteban Reyes (Mexico).
Said Dastur, "The general perception is that a short film has to have a social message. I want to make it clear that short films can deal with fiction too. At Shamiana, we only show commercial short films."
Free for all
Shamiana does not charge any fee for those who wish to attend a screening. The aim of the club is not to earn money but to offer a common platform for movie enthusiasts, said Dastur.
An active member of the club, Inayat Bhanda said she never misses a screening. She added, "Initially, I had a casual approach towards watching these films, but then I started liking it. Watching short films is an exciting, fun experience."
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