Young, Indian filmmaker's work at world's top film festival

New Delhi, May 9 (UNI) The first ever work of a young Indian film maker has been selected for screening at the world's top ranking festival for animated films to be held in the French town of Annecy in June.

The film is a one-man show. Ishan Sharma (28) is not only the producer and directer of the film but also its script writer and music composer.

Besides the camera, graphics and layout are also his own.

The film, which finds place in the panorama section of the short animated film, is a parable about money. Titled 'About the Promise', its duration is about three minutes. In fact it is poetry with visuals: ''In a world of mindless homogeniety, why am I circulating endlessly. For this currency? As I sit infront of this grey screen (computer), it is not these lives I spend. They are just a bunch of desires I keep in the safe box, a bunch of fears I barter for goods, And for a few more of the apartment, a bunch of freedoms.''.

The monologue, which sounds impersonal and remote, in keeping with the theme of the film, goes on with currency notes resembling some human features engaged in actions that seem mindless on face but contain loads of symbols.

The festival in Annecy is considered to be number one in the animated film competitions. For over 45 years, the town has been showing the very best in this genre.

Out of 1826 entries, 224 films have been selected for screening at the festival. These comprise 51 short films in the competition section, 51 short films in the panorama section, 51 graduation films and 71 TV and commissioned films.

The International Animated Film Festival will be held from June 11 to June 16.

Along with the film festival, a trade fair will also be held in Annecy bringing under one roof the players in the animation industry for television, cinema and video.

UNI