First-ever Nagaland children’s film festival underway

[caption id="attachment_211543" align="alignleft" width="320"] Neiphiu Rio felicitating national bravery award recipient Mhonbeni Ezung during the National Children’s Film Bonanza in Kohima.[/caption] Our Correspondent Kohima, Oct. 9 (EMN): With the motto, “ Promoting every child’s right to entertainment”, the first ever Nagaland children’s film festival was launched at RCEMPA auditorium Jotsoma by Neiphiu Rio, chief minister of Nagaland and in the presence of Swati Pandey, IPS, chairperson, Children Film Society of India(CFSI) launched the first ever children based Nagamese film ‘Nani Teri moni’. The chief minister, while launching the film, ‘Nani Teri moni’ congratulated the CFSI for the wonderful initiative by stating that it was a momentous occasion for the state. He expressed hope that the film will serve as an inspiration to all the students after watching the film as it was based on the inspiring story of Mhonbeni Ezung, the youngest winner of national bravery award in 2015. Rio also congratulated all the artistes and the entire team behind the film and also shared his optimism that it will be the beginning for the promotion and growth of film industry in Nagaland. He remarked that many young Nagas have made a name across the country in the field of music, entertainment and movies by mentioning upcoming film makers like Rebecca Changkija Sema, who has been a driving force behind the movie, ‘Nani Teri moni’ as the line producer(Nagaland) and Sesino Yoshu, a young film maker, whose documentary film- The pangti story- won the best environment film at the 65th national film awards. Rio, also said that the unique folklores and culture of Nagaland which relates to a long history and traditions of living in harmony with nature has attracted writers, anthropologists and historians from all over the world. He also specially specified that the history of Nagaland- ranging from the legendary head hunters and stories of second world war and the struggle for Naga identity and stories of insurgency and peace- were all subjects on which many researchers have worked upon and can be subjects for writing books and making films. Stressing on the importance of film making as an art, Rio also mentioned that films and theatre is an important tool which can be used to influence and shape a society as it plays a formative role in drawing attention to important issues as well as moulding public opinions. He also added that through films, an individual can tell the stories of not only a person but also of an entire region,culture or race by spreading it to the rest of the world. He further mentioned that film has become the biggest platform of art and entertainment as it has a more univeral appeal and accessible than books and paintings and the CFSI thereby realising the importance of developing positive traits amongst the children have organised the festival so that they can become responsible citizens in the future. Chairperson, children Film Society, India, Swati Pandey, IPS while delivering her speech conveyed her gratitude to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio and other state government departments and officials for supporting and promoting the children’s film festival in the State. Before the launching of the movie’ Nani Teri moni’, she said the word ‘courage’ has a new name now and it is known by the name ‘Mhonbeni’. She also hoped all the children will be motivated and inspired after watching the movie to be courageous and brave in the face of danger and in defense of their fellow beings. She said the film ‘Nani Teri Morni’ is the first movie under CFSI which was solely shot in nagamese dialect. She also said the movie was all about bravery and courage with no discrimination based on caste, creed, sex or geographical boundaries. She said said that movies were not meant only for entertainment but it can also be used as a medium of motivation and encouragement. She also urged the state government to make the children’s film festival an annual event so as to capture the young and talented persons to promote and execute their innovative ideas in the film industry. Earlier at the function, the chief minister also felicitated Mhonbeni Ezung, who was present at the launching program of the movie, ‘ Nani Tera moni’ upon whose act of bravery the movie was conceptualized and made. The festival is being organised in collaboration with the department of Social Welfare, Art Culture, Youth Resources & Sports, School Education and Information & Public Relations, GoN. The target audience of the students are from class V to class XII of both Government and private Schools.