Kolkata, Nov 07: Unhappy over non-inclusion of their films in 9th Kolkata Film Festival despite being recommended by the festival selection committee, a number of film-makers have decided to protest in a novel manner by organising a "festival of rejected films".
Soon after Kolkata film festival concludes on November 17, the discontented directors plan to screen their award winning and experimental films at another venue, Gorky Sadan.
"These are films that are internationally acclaimed but nationally rejected. We have been given no explanation as to why the festival director scrapped out such films despite the selection committee giving them a green signal," said eminent film-maker Joshi Joseph. Joseph said his debut feature film "Imaginary Line", recommended by the committee for screening, was axed at the last minute "without an explanation". "The festival, which is expected to showcase experimental and different films, does not seem to be weighing entries on merit," he alleged.


The director has created a record of sorts by winning the National Award for documentaries four times from 1998 to 2001. Award-winning films division director Rajiv Kumar, whose film "vasiyat" (Will) was struck off at the final stage, said "the selection process does not seem to be foolproof".


Bureau Report