Berhampur: Even as COVID-19 positive cases are on the rise in many parts of the state, an Odia film which was screened last month at the ‘COVID-19 International Tribal Film Festival 2020’ was awarded Tuesday for the ‘Best Story’ and ‘Best Regional Film’ categories.
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A production team led by Kukudakhandi block development officer (BDO) in Ganjam district came up with a short film ‘Corona tu pherija’ (Corona, go back), in order to create awareness among people on deadly COVID-19 virus and its probable threat to human beings.
The short film ‘Corona tu pherija’ not only brought laurels to Ganjam administration and the state as well, but it’s storyline also earned accolades from across the world, an official source informed.
The story was written by BDO Gadadhar Patra and the short film was produced by his better half Susmita. Patra including Madhusudan Mishra and Smruti Ranjan Patnaik played lead characters in this 13-minute-long film. Mishra works as a physical education teacher (PET) at Kukudakhandi Adarsha Vidyalaya.
Notably, the film festival which was organised by Orifarming India, JBS Entertainment and Education Corporation, is based on ‘Resurrection and sustainability of tribal culture and rituals amid COVID-19’. After being deeply motivated with this novel concept following the pandemic, filmmakers/participants from over 36 countries came up with respective storylines and shot films of 3 to 15 minutes duration. On the other hand, over 450 short films were screened at the film festival in virtual mode in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.
PNN
