by BIS Correspondent
MUMBAI, JAN 31, 2017: The Don Bosco Youth Film Festival of India in collaboration with Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Matunga was inaugurated by Father Joaquim 
Fernandes sdb, Regional Delegate, Boscom South Asia and director of Tej-Prasarini, Don Bosco Communications on Monday, January 30 at the Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Matunga.
Organised by Boscom South Asia, the two- day festival will witness the screening of 24 short films by reputable film makers with the theme 'Youth and Nation Building'. It was a challenge to take the film festival to different centres; the festival is now being screened at over 100 venues across India.
Dr Allan D'Souza, vice principal of Khalsa College, Matunga addressed the gathering and introduced the speakers on the dais. "The short films," he said, " Are a medium of expression and it should encourage each one of us to view it and change our lives and to build our nation."
Dr Kiran V Mangaonkar, principal of Khalsa College, Matunga while addressing the college students, encouraged them to be creative and produce their own short films, so that in next year's festival they could put forth their stories.
Father Fernandes while addressing the college students, spoke about the ideation of the concept of this unique film festival, which is intended to touch thousands of youngsters. He spoke about the United Nation's 'Sustainable Development Goals' and how this festival has integrated the goals.
Films are a medium of expression. If film-makers observe discretion in the content, there would be no need for a censor board. With digitisation and YouTube and the internet, each one can tell their story of how they can build the nation.
Shahnawaz Baqual , actor and director of the film, 'Who Dies', whose short film had been selected for screening across India, spoke to the students about his upbringing and how peace needs to be attained first internally and then co-existing with peace and respect for life. After the screening of his movie, he interacted with the students.
The Don Bosco Film Festival awards were announced by Father Fernandes. The first place was awarded to the short film, 'Saavat' directed by Jyoti Toradmal, second place to 'Paywat' directed by Mithunchandra Choudhari and third place to 'Backbone' directed by Karunakaran. C.
There were many category awards and special awards too. The awards will be given by the Rector Major of the Salesian congregation, Father Ángel Fernández Artime at Chennai, in March.
"The short films are of real relevance for the youth and these short films which are shown today in the auditorium, will be screened in all the class rooms too. Our college has a strength of approximately 7,000 students. This has ignited the minds of all our youngsters," Dr D'Souza said.