‘Shooting Stars 2019 – Shoot Beyond Boundaries’ – a Film & Media Fest at St Aloysius College
Mangaluru: The undergraduate department of Journalism of St Aloysius College, Mangalore (Autonomous) organized ‘Shooting Stars 2019 – Shoot Beyond Boundaries,’ a two day National Level Film and Media festival which aims to provide a platform for students to showcase their talent and interest in film-making and photography.
The inaugural event was held on 16 January 2019 at the LF Rasquinha Hall in the campus. The event hosted award-winning actor and director Prathap Pothen as the chief guest.
Other dignitaries on the dais included the President of the function, Rev. Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ, Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Rev. Dr Melwyn Pinto SJ, HOD Journalism, staff coordinator Ms Bhavya Shetty and student coordinators Romy Sunny and Larren Menezes. Dr Pinto, in his welcome address, commented on the widespread international acceptance of Indian song-and-dance films.
Fr Dionysius Vaz in his presidential address stressed on how images create attitudes and attitudes create behaviour. “The media must be counted on to bring out the straightforward truth,” he opined.
Mr Pothen, in his talk, stated that there is no such thing as a politically neutral standpoint as each and every film carried with it the ideology of its creator. Further, he expressed his staunch stance on censorship and artistically responsible freedom. Students were given the opportunity of interacting with him and posed thought-provoking questions. Responding to the queries of the audience, he joked on how his realistic portrayal of the antagonist in ‘22 Female Kottayam’ may have elicited a strong reaction from the viewers.
Formerly a short film and documentary competition, this edition of Shooting Stars has evolved into a two-day media festival that celebrates the art of film-making. With the theme ‘Freedom of Cinema’, the fest hopes to encourage budding filmmakers as it has been for over a decade.
About the Department of Journalism:
The Department of Journalism of St Aloysius College was established in 1997. It aims to make students adept at film making, newspaper making, radio programs, and television bulletins which help them learn allied subjects like writing for media, media management, communication etc. in a better way. It recognizes media as a potent weapon which can be used to fuel the growth and all-round development of society if wielded correctly. In that regard, the Department undertakes various initiatives to groom its students and make them ethically and morally abiding journalists and media persons.