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ABILITYFEST – a bi-annual International Film Festival organised by Ability Foundation in Chennai on the lines of those held around the world – in London, Melbourne, Paris, Munich, Calgary, Toronto and Beirut. A unique and inspiring showcase of extraordinary internationally acclaimed films by, with and about people with disabilities. The first one was held in 2005 and the second one is scheduled for July 2007.
The organisers
Ability Foundation is a national NGO involved in the integration, empowerment and mainstreaming of persons with disabilities. An organisation that works with the firm conviction that disabled people are an integral part of society and as such, everyone in society has a very significant part to play in making true inclusion possible. Towards this mission, the foundation works with single minded dedication to bridge the divide between disabled and non-disabled persons and is involved in a wide range of activities, almost all of which are pioneering in nature, that spotlight on dispelling stereotypes and focus on the potential of disabled persons and pave the way for an equitable society where individual diversities are respected and with equal opportunities for all are the norm.
60 Seconds to Fame!
An exciting part of AblityFest2007 is the one-minute film competition on
disability, ‘60 Seconds to Fame!’ that involves you and gives you an opportunity to share your thoughts and creativity – a one-minute film competition conducted on an all-India scale.
The theme for the competition this year: ‘Celebrating
Diversity’.
The theme: ‘Celebrating Diversity’
Visualise these: A rainbow. A garden. A saree. Food on your plate. A mountain plane. The city streets around you. What do they make you think of? Multi-hued colours all around? Can you visualise all these in a single colour?
And… what about all that you hear… a song. The sea. The work going on around you. Why, even a single voice with its several pitches during a speech… Can you listen to all these in a single consistent drone?
Why then this reluctance to accept the diversity of people? To acknowledge that there are differences, to accept people as people first. To understand, appreciate and recognise dissimilarities. To realise that no two people can be alike and that no two people can do the same thing, the same way. That there are such things as physical or intellectual differences or disabilities which are very much a part of this great human race. That no man is an island and people need people. Disabled or non-disabled, people need to live together, laugh together and celebrate life together in its multifarious hues. That disability is not the opposite of normalcy. Something or somebody being different from the majority of the masses does not automatically become. It is only a question of one’s own maturity and comfort level. The ability and the intelligence to arrive at a good judgment and embrace all people as part of life’s colours and melody.
Thus, through our theme ‘Celebrating Diversity’ we urge you to come forward to share your ideas with us… creatively… in the way that your distinctive and exclusive and diverse thoughts dictate… on celluloid. Coming to terms with differences. Recognising each individual’s diversity or disability as part of this great human race… paving the way for a just and equal society. Where disability only prompts an individual to approach the same goal from a different direction or a different approach to problems and more significantly, diversity brings myriad abilities for any work. Well, you hear more when it is through your imagination.
Diversity is the spice of life. That is how life is meant to be. Some of us cannot sing, at least not in public, cannot dance, cannot gather courage to climb a stage to deliver a speech, cannot write moving prose or poetry. And some of us cannot see, cannot hear, cannot walk down the street. And that’s part of diversity too.
But all of us can feel, can love, laugh, extend an arm in friendship and camaraderie. So, come…. Let’s just do it… Let’s
celebrate diversity… Together.
Prizes
A national jury comprising eminent film-makers/actors from across the country, as well as prominent people from the disability sector, will select prize-winning best entries. The first three best entries will receive cash prize of Rs 1 Lakh, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively. The selection by the jury will be final and binding.
Eligibility
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The competition is open to film-makers of Indian nationality only.
The entry can be animation, live action or both.
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The running time including credits (how many to be included is left to the discretion of the film-maker) should not exceed 60 seconds.
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The production could be either in film/video or digital format, but the entries should be submitted in DVD format only.
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English subtitles/captioning are compulsory even if the language of the film is English.
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The entry should not have been publicly shown either on television or in a theatre before.
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An entry fee of Rs 500 by way of Demand Draft drawn on Chennai, in favour of Ability Foundation should accompany each entry form. Not more than one title can be entered in a single entry form. A maximum of 3 entries only will be accepted from each individual applicant.
Screenings
The films that are short-listed will be screened as part of the India International Disability Film Festival in Chennai in July 2007. The applicant will be informed of the date and time of screening.
Entry documents
Each entry must be submitted separately and must include the following:
1.DVD labelled with the title, film-maker's name, running time and contact number;
2.Completed and signed entry form;
3.Crossed Demand Draft for Rs 500 drawn on Chennai, in favour of Ability Foundation;
4.Three copies of passport size photograph of the film-maker;
5.Self-addressed stamped envelope for entry acknowledgement.
DVDs
The DVDs that are accepted for ‘60 Seconds to Fame!’ will remain with the organisers and will not be returned. Those not accepted for competition, however, will be returned on written request from the film-maker.
Submission
Completed entry forms along with the DVDs and the accompanying documents should reach the organisers at the address given below on or before June 30, 2007.
Please send e-mail to
ability@abilityfoundation.org
confirming your participation as early as possible, marking your mail with the words ‘Intention to Enter’.
Address :’60 Seconds to Fame!’
Ability Foundation,
28, Second Cross Street,
Gandhi Nagar,
Adyar,
Chennai - 600 020
Telephone : 91 44 2445 2400
E-mail : ability@abilityfoundation.org
Website : www.abilityfoundation.org
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