SFC Jury 2011

Short Film Center – International Competition Jury

Basu Chatterji One of the most eminent directors in India, Basu Chatterjee was a political cartoonist of BLITZ weekly, his entry into cinema was through the film society movement. During the Film Scociety movement, he was exposed to thought provoking films from France, Sweden, Italy, Japan and other foreign countries. He directed his first film Saara Aakash in 1969 which made it to Locarno and Toronto film festival, while Kamla ki Maut was screened at kairo Film Festival.Subsequently he made a string of popular films like Rajnigandha, Chitchor, Choti si Baat, Khatta Meetha and Pasand Apni Apni. Most of his films revolved around middle class families which struck a chord with the audiences adding to his popularity. He also directed some of the most popular shows on Indian television like Rajani, Darpan, Kakkaji Kahin and Byomkesh Bakshi. He also directed films in Bengali like, Hothat Bristi, Chupu Chupui, Tok Jhal Misti and Hocheta Ki. He was member of the Indian Jury at the Moscow International Film festival and Pyongong International Film Festival. He is ex-member of Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) and Ex-Chairman of Stayajit ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTII), Kolkata. Winner of several accolades, Basu Chatterjee remains a highly respected name in Indian cinema.

Fiona Lawson-Baker Started career at the BBC London in long form current affairs, magazine science and interactive productions. As a graduate of the Australian Film Television and Radio School, worked for Australia’s national public broadcaster SBS in production, commissioning and acquisitions across all prime-time documentary strands. Most recently based in Malaysia commissioning, co-producing and acquiring documentaries from the Asia Pacific for AJE’s flagship documentary strand.

Yann Piquer Considered as one of the leading producers of short films in France, Yann Piquer is also a director, writer and actor. A graduate from the Institute of Political Sciences, film buffs know him as the ‘French Corman’ He has produced more than 250 short films and documentaries, as well as four feature-length movies including  Adrenaline ,Parano, and The Trip To India. With three awards in the official competition at Cannes, his productions reflect his genuine commitment to the independent industry.

Giogio Franchini Born in Naples in 1959, Giogiò Franchini early career was as a theater light-designer, university cinema studies and subsequently he took film editing courses. In 1992 he began what would become a long-term collaboration as a film editor with MEGARIS, a television and film production company based in Naples, In 1995 he won the first prize for Independant Italian Cinema at the Bellaria film festival with Non Porno Più, a hardcore-themed editing reinvention of Hitchcock’s revered Rear Window. In 1998 he won the CIAK D’ORO for the editing of Roberta Torre’s Tano di morire, and in 2003 a Vesuvio Award, for directing Il pareggio non esiste (“A Draw Doesn't Count”) a behind the scenes film of One Man Up at the Napoli Film Festival. During this period he also dedicated his time to teaching editing through lessons, internships and seminars. He has won awards for films like The Consequences of Love, La Terra, Mario’s war and The girl by the lake.

Short Film Center – Vasudha Award Competition Jury

Sivan Born in 1932 in Kerala, Sivan has been a part of the state that has helped shaped its cinema and its culture. A trained photographer of repute he won more than a handful awards and his photos were published in national as well as international magazines. His work in cinema is also well acknowledged, he produced and directed the films like ‘Rakthasakshikal (Martyrs),’ ‘Labour Week,’ ‘Mannathu Padmanabhan,’ ‘Vivekananda Stuti’ and ‘Land of Onam.’ Apart from Yagam which won a National award in 1981, he has also been associated with children’s films and Abhyam (Shelter) won many laurels. His sons, Sangeeth and Santosh are also well known cine personalities.

Krishnendu Bose After acquiring a Masters degree in Economics from Delhi School of Economics in  1985, Krishnendu Bose made documentaries on conservation development politics. Harvesting Hunger – a film on the politics of food in India won the Special Jury Award at Okomedia Environment Film Festival in Freiberg, Germany in 2000 and won an award at the Earth Vision Environment Film Festival in Tokyo 2001. Jardhar Diary – a film on community conservation in the Himalayas also received laurels. His film on the tiger crisis- Tiger- The death chronicles was awarded the Wildlife Conservation Award at the 4th Vatavaran Film Festival 2007 and Conservation Award at the International Wildlife Film Festival at Missoula, Montana in 2008. He has been awarded the highest award in India for environment filmmaking, Prithvi Ratna in 2009.

Alka Tomar A post-graduate in Environmental Sciences Alka Tomar’s area of specialization includes environmental communication and education. She is pursuing her PhD in communicating climate change from University of Stirling, UK. With sixteen years of experience in project planning, design and management, she has been instrumental in formulating locale specific conservation education, communication and social mobilization strategies. She was a jury member of Dell Go Green Challenge, 2010 and also the Green Film Festival in Seoul, Korea. She is also the founder director of CMS VATAVARAN – International Environment and Wildlife Film Festival.