The 11th edition of the annual International ‘We Care’ film festival commenced on 6h November 2019 at Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication. The festival is devoted to heroism and struggle of millions of specially-abled across the globe. Through the festival, AIMC seeks to spotlight the skills of ‘Differently abled people’, their contributions to society and acknowledge them as ‘Specially abled people’.
The festival is being organized in association with the internationally recognized NGO ‘Brotherhood’ and with the support of UNESCO and UN Information Centre
The various national and international films that were screened included National Award winning film ‘Goonga Pehelwan’ (India), ‘Fish and I’ (Iran), ‘Blind Date’ (Russia), ‘Basket Bronx (Spain), ‘White Balance (Israel)’, ‘Children of the Stars (China)’, ‘More than Walking (USA)’, ‘Beyond Borders (Belgium)’, ‘Departure Lounge (United Kingdom)’ and many more.
Speaking about the Festival, Chief Guest, Navika Kumar, Managing Editor, Times Now, hailed differently abled persons as ‘true achievers’ and said ‘‘The biggest disability lies only in our minds. The though-provoking films screened at the festival have been able to rekindle our empathy towards differently-abled people and showcase that persons with disabilities live the same sort of full and independent lives as others. In fact, they are true achievers as they have been able to overcome all adds stacked against them’’.
Guest of Honor, Ira Singhal, IAS Officer, Deputy Commissioner, North Delhi Municipal Corporation and the First Differently Abled Woman to Top Civil Services from General Category, emphasized the Importance of being conscious as a Society towards the Environment we create for Differently Abled people. She said, ‘‘It is the little things that we do that can significantly make a difference in the lives of Differently Abled – either in a Positive or Negative manner. In fact, it is our duty to acknowledge their Abilities and Create an atmosphere that is conducive to them realizing their full potential.’’
The Festival saw enthusiastic participation from Differently Abled persons including a Special Photography Exhibition by Mr. Pranav Lal, a Visually Impaired Photographer who clicks Photographs through the use of the software ‘Voice’. Mr. Lal said, ‘‘Digital Technology is an effective driver to pursuing my Passion of Photography! Today, I can perceive without seeing and can capture subjects with the help of sounds.’’
Special performances by Differently-abled students from Punerutthan Trust (NGO) were also showcased during the inaugural day.
Photography and Painting competitions on the theme of disability are also being organized that will see entries from schools and colleges across Delhi NCR.
According to Prof. Sajal Mukherjee, Director, Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication, “AIMC is proud to be associated with this festival. Since its inception at AIMC, we have been seeing increasingly widespread participation from students of various schools and Universities across NCR.”
Event Details
Date: 6th – 8th November, 2019 (Ongoing Event)
Timing: 10 am – 4 pm
Venue: Apeejay Dwarka Campus, Institutional Area, Sector 8 Dwarka (Near Dwarka Sector 9 Metro Station), New Delhi
For further details, please visit www.apeejay.edu/aimc
Also read: CMS Lucknow to host 11th Children’s International Film Festival