RASCA Film Festival commences with jury screening in Jamshedpur, awards ceremony on June 8

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, May 27: The highly anticipated RASCA (Pandit Raghunath Academy of Santali Cinema and Art) Film Festival commenced on Monday with the commencement of jury screenings for films selected in the award category. The screenings are taking place at the Tribal Cultural Center in Sonari.

The festival was formally inaugurated by RASCA directors Suryasingh Besra, Rabindranath Murmu, Shankar Hembram, Ratan Besra, Kushal Hansda, Sagen Hansda, and Mansingh Majhi, who paid homage to Pandit Raghunath Murmu and initiated the jury screening by ceremonially pressing the laptop button.

The event witnessed the screening of three films – “Galwan Bir” from Jamshedpur, “Love Love Love” and “Bindi Gak” from Baripada. Speaking on the occasion, Surya Singh Besra highlighted the festival’s dedication to the legacy of Olguru Pandit Raghunath Murmu and its mission to promote Santali language, literature, Olchiki script, and tribal culture.

Mansingh Majhi, a renowned writer and producer-director, noted the flourishing film industry in the Santali community, with approximately 30 full-length movies and over 350 music videos produced annually. However, he emphasized the need for government support to further develop the industry to the level of Hindi and South Indian cinema.

The jury, comprising Mansingh Majhi, Sagen Hansda, and Raviraj Murmu, will closely evaluate the 14 films selected for the festival. The screenings will continue until May 31st at TCC, Sonari.

The much-awaited Cine Awards ceremony of the RASCA Film Festival is scheduled for June 8th at Birsa Munda Town Hall in Sidhgora. The ceremony will honor outstanding contributions in various categories, including Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Actress, with the participation of filmmakers, actors, and actresses from Jharkhand, Bengal, and Odisha.

The festival promises a captivating cinematic experience with screenings of notable films such as “Galwan Bir,” “Love Love Love,” “Bindi Gak,” “Hok Reyak Baidal,” “Karam Dare Kirya,” “Juri,” “Jitkar,” “Hayre Lock Down,” “Alakzadi,” “Nirmaya,” “Jaher Ayo Wakti Re Sona Sikri,” “Adim Bayar,” “Furgal,” and “Mone Sakom” scheduled throughout the festival days. (w/nkm)