Paul’s view of the Oscars 2009

So, the Oscars are over for another year. What did everyone think? How about that film Slumdog Millionaire eh? Eight wins out of nine nominations. Absolutely fantastic and what a result for Britain and India eh? In one of the first Anglo-Indian collaborations (well, the first since Bend It Like Beckham), they really knocked it out of the park, and all of the hype was deserved too, as yes, it is a really good little movie. When I say little, compared to the $100 million plus budget of the other favourite The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, it’s miniscule. And to this that the movie almost went direct-to-DVD following original distributor Warner Brothers closing their indie label Warner Independent. What an achievement, and well done to Danny Boyle, best director. I was a fan back when you were directing for the BBC man. Superb.

“Berlinale What?”

I knew it was some festival in Berlin. For a guy growing up in Chennai, making shorts on miniDV, and still stuck in the second year of his film school, that was good enough. ‘Some festival in Berlin, dad,” I told my father, “I am going to be nominated as India’s delegate. They call it the Berlinaal or something like that.” I was excited.

Of course the next day when I knew it was not some film festival in Berlin, but the film festival in Berlin, in fact the world, my joy knew no bound.

It was only because the director of the Goethe Institute was a very visionary lady that she had the courage to nominate a 24 year old short filmmaker, in competition with 30-something heavyweights – movie critics, journalist, the elite!

Reelshow International Italian Student Festival Shortlist

Reelshow International Announces:
The  Italian Student Filmmakers Festival Shortlist: Click here  to see the finalists.

The Voting Room is now open and will remain open until 10th January 2009.
Ten amazing films have been selected to go through to the final.
As well as our panel of judges,all members have the chance to vote for their favourite film.The shortlist consists of ten films by young and emerging Italian filmmakers and spans fiction, animation and documentary genres.
Click here for the Voting Room. You have to be a reelshow member to vote. Registration is free.

Festival alert ‘Reelshow Italian Film Festival’

The Reelshow Italian Film festival

The Reelshow Italian film festival is open for entries, top prize is US$1,000 and you can upload and enter online now.

A top panel of international judges will be passing their expert eyes on entries this year, more details on the Reelshow: Reelshow Italian Film Festival