The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai hosted the finale of a short film festival focused on women's safety and empowerment. The event was part of the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence" global campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10. The festival featured notable guest judges including director/producer Onir, director/producer/screenwriter Anurag Kashyap, and actress Sonam Kapoor. It was organized in collaboration with Women in Film and Television (WIFT) India.
The grand prize for the contest went to "How Far Should a Woman Go?" while "The Lives of Others: Kastoori" secured second place. Third place was awarded to "Women’s Safety Begins at Home." Additionally, the audience-selected “People’s Choice Prize” also went to "The Lives of Others: Kastoori."
A total of 60 entries were submitted for the festival, with nine finalist videos screened during the event. These videos were collected in various formats such as stories, testimonials, ads, and public service announcements to promote women's safety. This marked the first time the Consulate organized a short film contest and festival.
In his opening remarks, U.S. Consul General Tom Vajda stated, “Women’s rights are human rights, and the problem of gender-based violence is not unique to any one country. It is an area in which concerned citizens can and should join together to raise their voices and take steps to end this scourge.”
Actress Sonam Kapoor emphasized the impact of film on societal change by saying, “Over the years, the visual medium of film has played a very important role in changing the face of our society. It has also brought to light issues that for too long have been hidden behind the guise of tradition and culture.”
Petrina D’Rozario, Founder President of WIFT India, highlighted the importance of equal opportunity rights for women in film while referencing the ongoing campaign: “Women make up a rather considerable percentage of the force in the film industry and we respectfully deserve equal opportunity rights. This campaign by the United Nations to end gender-based violence reminds us all that women have the right to their choices.”
The films from this contest will soon be available online through the Consulate's YouTube page.