From scripting and casting to cinematography, editing and sound design, 16 aspiring filmmakers from Kashmir have received hands-on training in filmmaking through smartphones during a 10-day workshop led by national Award-winning filmmaker Onir in Srinagar.
The workshop, organised by Onir-led Anticlock Films in collaboration with Kani Home, Srinagar, concluded on October 27, giving participants an opportunity to develop their ideas into short films under the mentorship of filmmakers and other professionals from the Indian film industry.
The initiative aims to encourage young Kashmiris to tell their own stories through cinema, drawing on their experiences, cultural identity, surroundings and everyday lives.
The programme featured masterclasses by filmmaker Kabir Khan, filmmaker Payal Kapadia and actor-producer Sanjay Suri. The mentorship team included Urmi Juvekar for scriptwriting, Arun Varma for cinematography and Jabeen Merchant for editing, alongside other professionals from the fields of writing, casting, production and acting.
Working in groups of four, the participants developed four short films, each between 10 and 15 minutes long. The films span fiction and documentary formats, allowing the young filmmakers to explore stories and subjects rooted in their experiences.
The workshop covered the filmmaking process from conceptualisation to post-production, including scriptwriting, location recce, casting, acting workshops, shooting, editing and sound design. Film screenings and discussions were also part of the programme, which culminated in a screening of the first cuts of the films produced by the participants.
The filmmaking process, however, will continue beyond the workshop. Participants will work online with their respective group mentors and Onir during November to refine their edits and prepare the films for completion.
Onir has also sought the Chief Minister’s support for the initiative and assistance with the post-production of the films. The four short films are interconnected and the filmmaker hopes to release them through screenings at INOX Srinagar and in a few selected cities.
The films have been shot entirely in Srinagar, with Kashmiri actors, and are in the Kashmiri language.
Onir said screening the films would provide aspiring filmmakers an opportunity to see their work reach a wider audience.
The organisers have also announced opportunities for further industry exposure, with two participants set to be offered internships on feature films, subject to applicable conditions.
To make the programme accessible to young people, the organisers provided financial support for Kashmiri students. Two Kashmiri women participants below the age of 25 were offered full scholarships, while eight discounted seats were earmarked for Kashmiri students.
The initiative seeks to make filmmaking more accessible by using smartphones as a creative tool, enabling young storytellers to develop their ideas without relying on expensive equipment.
