IKSFF 2023 slated to happen from January 10-15, 2023

Seeking to impress the cinephiles with a myriad of shorts and documentaries from the best of creative minds across the globe, the 3rd edition of International Kolkata Short Film Festival is all set to happen from 10th - 15th January 2023. A hybrid event where selected short films, documentaries and music videos will be screened both online and offline, it will culminate on 15th January with a glittering Awards function.

Presented by Aei Shomay, the Bengali newsjournal by the Times Group, the International Kolkata Short Film Festival is one sought-after festival that the makers and the audiences are keenly looking forward to. The 6-day long festival organised by Eventizer in the City of Joy is all set to feature international documentaries, short fiction and non-fiction, animation as well as music videos. The festival will also have a physical screening followed by an award ceremony on 15th January 2023 at Rotary Sadan, Kolkata.

According to an official of the IKSFF, the online event will be a paid event, for the audiences to watch all the selected films at their own sweet time from the comforts of their home. “It will be one of the major cultural showcases for audiences from any part of the globe as they would no longer need to be physically available to savour the best of films showcased at the festival,” confirmed the source.

Some of the films that are officially selected this year have come all the way from Argentina, Philippines, Norway, South Africa, Hungary, Switzerland, Russian Federation, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Portugal, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE, UK and the USA. They include #Zuni, First Second Chance, #Kataai, Kosha Mangsho, Her Canvas, Chatim Fuler Kotha, #Entrapment, The Last Rain, The Horse from Heaven, Last Day Off, Panchvis, Interview, Stars, Jacob and the Quisling, The Ripple, Tasalli Se, Gray, Medea, On/Off, Kingdom, Speechless and Taam to name a few.

Helmed by Festival Chairman- Sourav Charkraborty, Festival Director- Saswati Guha Charkraborty and Executive Director- Manas Banerjee, some of the renowned names from the industry are on jury. They include include Celladin Gasimov from Azerbaijan, Prof. Dr. Mohan Das, Rajeev Shankar Gohil, Usha Deshpande, Soumitra Dostidar, Sandipan Roy, Nabarun Bose and Arghya Kama Mitra, all from India. The Festival’s Advisory Committee include renowned names like Arjun Gourisaria, Jaya Seal Ghosh, Mohan Das, Pandit Mallar Ghosh & Sagnik Chatterjee.

While the last edition saw Eminent Personalities like Monami Ghosh, Tathagata Mukherjee, Pandit Bickram Ghosh, Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee, Jaya Seal Ghosh, Saheb Chatterjee, Bidipta Chakraborty, Riingo Banerjee, Arghyakamal Mitra, Remoo and others; this edition will also see some eminent personalities from Tollywood and Bollywood as well to honour award winning film makers for their work and to celebrate their talent.

For more details, log on to https://iksff.co.in

Merry Christmas

 

JioSaavn captures India’s listening habits with “Best of 2022”

JioSaavn, India’s leading music and audio-streaming service, has mapped the latest trends in audio streaming from the country to find audiences' most  favorite playlists, artists and podcasts. This was achieved by analyzing the data on the platform between December 2021 and November 2022. The outcome revealed some interesting facts about our audiences from across India. 

With JioSaavn’s wide reach and extensive catalog, listeners from all over India tuned in to their favorite content mostly from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (constituting 45% of the total streams). While maximum streams were observed to have been on Saturdays, most popular genres were - Bollywood, Duet, Desi-indie, Telugu film and Devotional. Audiences also explored Desi Hip Hop and Kollywood genres, qualifying them to be on the top charts. 

In addition to Hindi and English - Telugu (2 Bn+ streams), Punjabi (1 BN+ streams), Bhojpuri (850 Mn+ streams), Tamil (900 Mn+ streams) and Kannada (900 Mn+ streams) were some of the most popular languages among our 100 Mn+ listeners. Users from across the country also streamed Haryanvi (300 Mn+ streams), Bengali (270 Mn+ streams) and Marathi (250 Mn+ streams) music. 

Favorite hits from across these languages gained maximum streams on the platform. While ‘Kalaavathi’ from Sarkaru Vaari Paata,‘Tillu Anna DJ Pedithe’ from DJ Tillu and ‘Mehbooba’ from KGF: Chapter 2 were in the top three for Telugu music, songs like ‘Bullet Song’ from The Warriorr, ‘Komuram Bheemudo’ from RRR and ‘Halamithi Habibo’ from Beast also made it to the top list. 

‘Dhokha’ by Arijit Singh topped the Hindi chart while ‘As It Was’ by Harry Styles made it to the top of the English Chartbuster playlist. ‘Kesariya’, ‘Maiyya Mainu’, ‘Kuch Baatein’ and ‘Tumse Pyaar Karke’ were among other popular Hindi songs. Indian artists like Badshah and Armaan Malik made it to the Top 5 of the English Chartbusters playlist with hits like ‘Voodoo’ and ‘You’. Other songs on the list included ‘Calm Down’ by Rema and Selena Gomez and ‘Light Switch’ by Charlie Puth. 

The Punjabi music list was dominated by Sidhu Moose Wala, with chart busting songs like ‘Levels’ and ‘The Last Ride’. Other artists on the list were - A.P. Dhillon, Gurnam Bhullar, Shubh and B.Praak and top songs included -Never Fold, Pasoori and Beliya. Punjabi music playlists like ‘Let’s Play - Sidhu Moose Wala’ and ‘Punjabi Chartbusters’ were also widely popular among audiences.

Anirudh Ravichander ruled Tamil charts with hits like ‘Arabic Kuthu’, ‘Megham Karukatha’, ‘Vikram (Title Track’), ‘Jalabulanjangu’ and ‘Pathala Pathala’. Accompanying him on the list were - Jonita Gandhi, Dhanush, Rokesh and Kamaal Hasan. Meanwhile top songs on the Kannada playlist included songs like ‘Singara Siriye’, ‘Jagave Nenu Gelathiye’, ‘Varaha Roopam Daiva Va Rishtam’, ‘Ra Ra Rakkamma’ and ‘Belakina Kavithe’. 

Haryanvi artists like G.D. Kaur and Masoom Sharma made the nation groove to songs like ‘Chand’ and ‘Gypsy’. Bhojpuri music also made waves across India with songs like ‘Le Le Aayi Coca Cola’ and ‘Nathuniya’ by Khesari Lal Yadav. 

Storytelling podcasts were the most popular among listeners in 2022, followed by genres like Religion & Spirituality, Culture & Arts and Music. ‘Dil Mein Ho Tum - Romantic Audiobook By Monika Patidar’ was the most streamed podcast on the platform followed by The Stories of Mahabharata, Jai Bajrangi, Kabir ke Dohe and Shri Krishna Amritvani. 

The collected data reflected that while audiences enjoyed their personal preferences when it came to music, they also regularly tuned into popular weekly charts showcasing an inclination towards exploring trending music. Similarly, hit singles like ‘Kesariya’, ‘Dhokha’, ‘Calm Down’ and ‘You’ were the most popular JioTunes this year. 

Founded in 2007, JioSaavn is South Asia’s leading audio streaming service with over 100 MN + monthly active users (MAUs), listening to a vast catalogue of music and podcasts comprising 80 million+ tracks in 16 languages. The JioSaavn users enjoy their favourite music and podcasts on various platforms spanning smartphones (Android, iOS), JioPhones and web, available in twelve different language interfaces. Its premium paid subscription “JioSaavn Pro” gives customers access to 100% ads-free music listening, unlimited downloads, superior audio quality, and more.

DaMENSCH takes Moment Marketing to PVR

Taking moment marketing a step further, DaMENSCH, the D2C premium menswear brand has stepped up the game by taking the conversation on conscious living beyond the regular social media banter to the big screen. Mapping the opportunity of the launch of one of the most awaited movies of the year- Avatar: The Way of Water, DaMENSCH conceptualized and executed its ad which talks about its conscious fashion which recycles plastic to make polos because polos look good in a polo avatar, not in the bottom of the ocean. 

In today's day and age where people are bombarded with advertisements more than ever before, it is imperative to break the clutter by curating content that matches the pulse of the brand. If moment marketing is all about being at the right place at the right time, then this seems to be a masterclass at it. The 15-seconder that inspires the conscious young generation to choose FASHION THAT THINKS has been coordinated to leverage the larger conversation that the movie is driving on consciousness. 

Talking about this move, Deepti Karthik, Senior Vice President, Marketing, DaMENSCH, said “Moment marketing is about capturing a topical content and driving the brand message effectively. We believe the conscious fashion narrative that DaMENSCH has been driving gets leveraged even more effectively when combined with the impact of the mindset that one is in while watching a movie like Avatar- the way of water. 

2700 Ltrs of water is how much one saves when they choose to buy a DaMENSCH bamboo vest, 50% less energy gets consumed because we use high IQ dyes and 4 fewer plastic bottles go to ocean when we recycle them to make our polos.” 

DaMENSCH is constantly in pursuit of innovating men’s essential wear. In the pursuit of a world, where everyone’s potential is unlocked to do more, every single day. Started in 2018, DaMENSCH is a D2C brand that caters to the men’s premium essential wear fashion segment in India. DaMENSCH envisions to become a lifestyle brand that will become an integral part of every global Indian’s wardrobe. Every product designed by DaMENSCH Product lab, from innerwear to loungewear is infused with innovation never seen before. 

The brand is driven by a purpose to make the world a better place, by doing more every day, for the customers and nature. DaMENSCH is committed to earth-friendly and slow fashion, as reflected in its packaging made of corn and paper that’s 100% biodegradable.

If you haven't yet seen the ad, you can watch it here...

Turtlemint flags-off ‘Green Ride 2.0’ - with fitness icon Milind Soman

Turtlemint, India’s leading Insurtech platform has collaborated with Actor, Model and Fitness icon Milind Soman, for the ‘Green Ride 2.0 – Ek Pehal Swacch Hawa ki or’ initiative. Under this initiative, Milind embarks on a 1000 + km journey from Mumbai to Bangalore on a bicycle, to educate and raise awareness about air pollution and the importance of using eco-friendly modes of transport. 

The Green Ride is being organized to spread awareness about the importance of cleaner air and encourage people to adopt sustainable modes of transport. Turtlemint is one of the sponsors for Green Ride 2.0 event.  Milind commenced the ride on December 19th from Mumbai, took a pit stop at Turtlemint’s office and will pass through Pune, Bengaluru, Mysuru, concluding his ride in Mangalore on December 26th. Turtlemint is India’s largest platform, offering multiple insurance products to customers through its network of 2.5 Lakh+ advisors across India and encourages customers to live an insured and healthy life. 

Commenting on the event, Mr. Anand Prabhudesai, Co-Founder, Turtlemint said, "There are millions of people who look up to Milind Soman as the epitome of health and fitness and for the various initiatives he is a part of. We are excited to partner with Milind Soman for Green Ride 2.0, which aims to educate people about being fit and choosing sustainability every day. We hope that this initiative reaches out to millions of people and they resonate with the cause like we do.” 

Mr. Milind Soman, Actor, Supermodel said, “Green Ride 2.0 is an endeavour to promote sustainability, and the importance of cleaner, greener air.  With the success of Green Ride last year, we aim to make the Green Ride 2.0 a bigger success with the involvement of youth, resulting in broader social impact. I will continue to champion for this cause and other important ones through more such initiatives in the future. We a grateful to partner with Turtlemint who have come onboard with us to support this cause.” 

Founded in 2015 by Dhirendra Mahayavanshi and Anand Prabhudesai, Turtlemint has created a wide network of 250,000+ digital partners and empowered them with the right set of digital tools that enables them to provide insurance policies to their customers. Turtlemint has raised close to USD 190 million from marquee investors Jungle Ventures, Nexus Venture Partners, Amansa Capital, Sequoia Capital India, GGV Capital, Vitruvian Partners, Marshall Wace American Family Ventures, MassMutual Ventures , SIG , Blume Ventures, Dream Incubator and Trifecta Capital & adding.

The ICA Lifetime Achievement Award conferred to legendary director Saeed Mirza

Director of the popular TV serials Nukkad (Street Corner) and Intezaar (Wait) and the maker of notable parallel films such as Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho!, Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai, Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro and Naseem which won two National Film Awards in 1996, Screenwriter and director Saeed Akhtar Mirza was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at ICA - International Cultural Artifact Film Festival. Though the Award was declared for the year 2020, it was conferred on him today by the ICA Team members including Festival Director Amandeep Singh, Founder Amarnath Singh, Milind Champanerkar, Dr. Ajay Doke, Subodh and Chairman Jury Prof. Dr. Mohan Das. 

The ICA Lifetime Achievement Award is conferred to a talented film maker who have made a their mark in the industry with a purposeful film with a strong social message. The award consists of a memento, a copy of the Indian Constitution, a shawl and a cash cheque of Rupees Eleven Thousand. Noted director Sagar Sarhadi who directed Bazar with Smita Patil and Naseeruddin Shah was the recipient of the award in 2019.

Saeed Akhtar Mirza started his career as a documentary film maker in 1976, graduating to films with the acclaimed Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978), about the frustrations of an idealistic youth caught in the trap of a feudal money culture. It won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie for the year. This was followed by Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai (1980), about an angry youth, in search of his class and ethnic identifications. This too won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie. Next in this series of his based on the urban middle class, came his satire on the Indian judicial system, Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! (1984), an old couple which struggles for years in their legal case that runs for years under a corrupt judiciary, in nexus with real-estate developer. Set in the urban ‘middle class’, his film chronicled their struggles and search of identity in a rapidly changing landscape and economic conditions. Then finally in his angst-ridden movies came, Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (1989), starring Pawan Malhotra, an archetypal Muslim youth caught in the circle of crime and recrimination, and their collective state amidst growing communalism, ghetto mentality, and a search for an ethnic identity which does not clash with a national identity.

Meanwhile, he directed and produced popular TV serials Nukkad (Street Corner) (1986) and Intezaar (Wait) (1988), the first was set in lower middle class of various communities, which meet at a street corner in Mumbai suburb, shared their struggle of everyday survival in a harsh world, and was a big hit. He has lectured widely on Indian cinema at universities in India and The US. He contributes regularly to Indian newspapers and magazines on current political debates and through film reviews.

His last film Naseem was released way in 1995 set in collapsing secular structure post Babri Masjid demolition era. The film was featured in Avijit Ghosh's book, 40 Retakes, Bollywood Classics you May Have Missed. After that as he put it, "The demolition of the Babri Masjid was the last straw. Naseem was almost like an epitaph. After the film, I had really nothing to say. I needed to regain my faith and retain my sanity. So I decided to travel around India and document it on a video camera". Subsequently he devoted his time to travelling, writing and making documentaries. Later started on his autobiographical work,[6] finally released in 2008, as his maiden novel named Ammi: Letter to a Democratic Mother which is about the memories of his mother who died in 1990 and a series of vignettes comprising Sufi fables, childhood memories.

Saeed Akhtar Mirza is the life member of International Film And Television Club of Asian Academy of Film & Television. Currently he is making film, Ek Tho Chance.

Deepsense Digital & Walkaroo launched the #GuessKaroo campaign starring Aamir Khan

Deepsense Digital partnering with their Indian homegrown footwear client Walkaroo had launched a social media campaign coined #GuessKaroo. The campaign featured renowned celebrity, Aamir Khan who is Bollywood’s Perfectionist.  

Deepsense Digital won the mandate for Walkaroo in the last quarter of 2021 and launched their much-awaited campaign. The campaign execution was to create hype around the TVC, create a buzz by asking the users to answer the right options, and drive the users to the TVC on YouTube. 

The way TVCs were shot conveys the brand's purpose in a way that people can relate to. The TVC with its elements of quirkiness had a huge upside potential of going viral when combined with the right strategy. To create hype around the TVC, the brand created a buzz by asking the users to answer the right options and driving the users to the TVC on YouTube. It gave the impression of direct participation of the public and having a say in what Aamir spoke in the TVC scenes. People can #GuessKaroo on what the actor will enact in the following scenes through this promotion. 

Winners of the campaign were gratified with Walkaroo coupon codes and answers were revealed by playing the full TVC on the pages. 

The outcome of this campaign was a huge success, as it reached multiple people which helped us in mass consumer engagement and brand credibility. During the Facebook, Instagram and YouTube promotions, the company invested Rs 1 Lakh and gained an impressive ROI, and overall Facebook & Instagram achieved impressions of 24,17,521.