NMIMS and New York Film Academy Hosts Parda International Film Festival

22nd November 2024, Mumbai: The NMIMS School of Branding and Advertising, in association with the New York Film Academy (NYFA), is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the Parda International Film Festival held on November 19, 2024 at the Shri Mukesh Patel Auditorium, NMIMS Mumbai. The festival aimed to celebrate the global talent and hard work of filmmakers, offering a platform for emerging storytellers to showcase their unique voices. The Associate Dean, Dr. Kiran Desai emphasized the industry focus of the school and the course delivery fosters and promotes skills of creative execution to go beyond academics and produce industry-relevant branding professionals

With the theme “Chotte Kalakaar, Bada Parda” (Unseen Artists, Visible Stories), the festival honored the vision of bringing aspiring filmmakers into the spotlight. The festival’s focus on ‘NAVARAS’ — the nine core emotions that define the human experience — was evident in the diverse selection of films that captured the spectrum of human feelings. These emotions, celebrated through dance, drama, and music, culminated in the event’s highlight: a ‘Grand Musical’ performance that captivated the audience.

The festival also had the honor of hosting prominent personalities from the world of cinema and entertainment. Mr. Craig Caton-Largent, a legendary Visual Effects (VFX) specialist with over 40 years of experience and a 6-time Academy Award winner, graced the event with his presence. Having contributed to over 100 films and worked with iconic directors like Tim Burton, James Cameron, and Steven Spielberg, Mr. Caton-Largent shared his invaluable insights into the evolving role of VFX in filmmaking.

Darshan Jariwala, the acclaimed and award-winning Bollywood actor graced the event as the Guest of Honour. Joining him in the limelight was the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Fazal Qureshi, a renowned Indian tabla virtuoso and music producer-director, further elevated the festival’s star-studded appeal. Their presence highlighted the festival’s commitment to bridging the worlds of music, cinema, and performance arts.

The festival received an overwhelming response with 60 films and 20 advertising films submitted from filmmakers around the world.