“A filmmaker’s role in the society is to share information, which brings about a change and that is what I constantly aspire to do through my films” said Mike Pandey addressing a press conference at the MIFF Media Centre in Mumbai, the day after he was honoured with the V Shantram Life Time Achievement award. “Documentary films are the backbone of a country and the Indian documentary film scene is now finally emerging after overcoming a stagnant period” said Pandey recounting his experiences as a veteran of informational films.
Mr. Pandey said that the government has also realized the importance of documentary films and informed media that a half an hour documentary chunk has been made available on Doordarshan. He said these films need to be supported by the governments, people as well as media.
Mr. Pandey informed that digital has opened a whole new vista of opportunities in film making and has been responsible in broadbasing film making. He informed that powerful and informative short films are being made using even the mobile phone camera.
Mr Pandey highlighted the need to make the documentary films entertaining as well, so as to sustain the viewer’s interests. He said the docu-drama format has opened many possibilities in this regard, as can be seen from the popularity of the History Channel
MIFF 2012 Festival Director Shankar Mohan also spoke and underlined the commitment of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting for promoting documentary and short films. He said, in order to encourage documentary films by Indian film makers, the Indian section of the competition has been reintroduced at MIFF 2012. Mr. Mohan also informed that the Prize money has almost been doubled.
