'Mobile filmmaking a promising avenue'

Mumbai, May 3: Mobile filmmaking is emerging as a promising new avenue for budding filmmakers in the film industry, experts say.

A panel discussion on 'Mobifilms' last evening, during the presentation of the first-ever Mobile film awards included film industry experts like Subhash Ghai himself, Kurt Inderbitzin, Manmohan Shetty and Kamlesh Pandey.

The panel said popularity of mobile films was on the rise and carried the potential of mobile device to screen mainstream movies.

The awards were presented by Nokia Nseries in association with Subhash Ghai's film training institute 'Whistling Woods International' (WWI).

NokiaIndia Multimedia Director Vineet Taneja said, ''We believe that 'movie making on the go' presents a huge opportunity to the film industry. With advanced multimedia devices such as Nokia N93i already making its mark among serious filmmakers across the world, the mobile device is set to become preferred choice after the conventional television screens.'' He further added that Nokia would continue to provide more opportunities to film buffs to bring out the filmmaker in themselves.

The winner and two runner ups were announced and the ten shortlisted entries were screened.

The award for Best Mobile filmmaker was won by Ranjan Shetty for 'Solitude Dreams'. He was rewarded with a six-month foundation course in filmmaking under the guidance of showman and ace filmmaker Subhash Ghai at WWI and a Nokia N93i phone.

The runners-up in the fiction category was 'Enlightening Saraswati' by Kaashvi Nair while 'Ek Kavita' by duo Mukti Krishan and Sachin Shrestha walked away the runner up award in the non-fiction category.

They will get an opportunity to visit Universal Studios, Hollywood, a Nokia N93i series phone.

Speaking about his film 'Solitude Dreams', Ranjan Shetty said, ''My storyline was about nightmares people get when they are overworked. I was keen to give a non-conventional look and feel to my movie along with a light blue tint and fast narration and I am happy my effort was appreciated.'' Mr Ghai said today's aspiring filmmakers are savvy and have knack for imbibing sophisticated technology. ''I was overwhelmed to see a number of entries and the creativity, special effects and use of innovative themes by participants. The Nokia Nseries association with WWI for promoting upcoming talent has been well received and we look forward to a long and fruitful association ahead,'' he said.

Aimed at unleashing the 'movie maker in everyone', the initiative was launched in February this year targeted at young, upcoming filmmakers in the country. The contest required participants to shoot a three minute mobile film using their phones in categories of fiction and non-fiction. They were judged by a panel from WWI and Mediamatics.

UNI