"The vitality of thought is in adventure
Ideas won’t keep
Something must be done about them”
- Alfred North Whitehead
As I was trying to reform the old film club into something new, I secured a meeting with Rev. Fr. George Ponodath, our Father Rector, Prof Gopalan Mullik and Prof Subhadeep Ray Choudhuri of the Film Studies Department.
The Xaverian Film Academy or the XFA was born after a brain storming session that lasted almost 90 minutes. The newest society was baptized by Rev. Fr. Dr. J. Felix Raj, our Father Principal.
The obvious reason behind naming it an ‘academy’ was the reformed work ethic that had to be adopted. At the Xaverian Film Academy, our agenda is not only to screen films but also to encourage film making.
We successfully hosted IMAGO - the first of its kind competition in St. Xavier’s College, on 9th November 2009. If encouraged the members to make their own films, to tell the tales of their choice, to foster creativity.
We debuted that day in the history of this institution as the youngest member of the Xaverian family. Since it is the 150th year of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata we felt that we could not have had scripted it better and we were celebrating it with great zeal. With over 170 registered members this academic year, we at XFA have plans to celebrate this historic year in our unique way.
IMAGO was a competition that involved the members making their own films in two categories viz. ‘Still Image Narrative’ and ‘Mobile Video Films’. It was very successful. Not only did the department of Mass Communication participate enthusiastically, equal enthusiasm was shown by B. Com (Morning) and B. Com (Evening) departments, and the Arts Department too shared the laurels. With Oxford Bookstore sponsoring the prizes for the event, the winners also got an opportunity to screen their films at Oxford Bookstore on 26th November, 2009. This function was open to their family, friends and well wishers.
We also successfully conducted our first workshop for all the participants of IMAGO on 14th November 2009. Through this they got an opportunity to discuss their films with our esteemed Judges of the event as well as, learn invaluable tips on improving their projects.
Our activities are all but over for this year. We not only intend to carry out more workshops in the future but also we plan upon Panel Discussions where our members get to interact with film makers of repute. If our workshops are planned to teach our members techniques of film making, our own Film Festival will present them a prospect of screening their films. It will be an exposure like none other.
The famous philosopher Basil says, “A good deed is never lost”. Yes friends, I solicit all your support as we constructively work towards our biggest venture this year - our own Film Festival commemorating the 150 year celebrations. We look forward to your participation. Our blog has all details of our activity so feel free to contact us at-
xaverianfilmacademy.blogspot.com
xaverianfilmacademy@gmail.com
Annesh Bilas Thakur
3rd year, Mass Communication & Videography
as published in the college magazine: XAVARIAN 2010
and on the website: www.sxccal.edu
