Dhruva first mentioned this sometime last June, a casual mention, saying he wanted to apply to a program in Italy, and are we okay with it. It meant setting aside an year after college, and on the 'if' chance that he gets selected. Knowing very little about it, as he'd come across it by chance while submitting his film for a festival, he was likely more hopeful, than confident.....yet really keen, and he got his go ahead.
February this year came the intimation that he'd been selected... it was a wow feeling. Then began the process of visa application.
Three days back he says "now I'm beginning to feel the excitement", and I was like "what ?!!?... and all this while?". Unlike me, he doesn't believe in building anticipation...says he doesn't like handling disappointment.
Two weeks after submitting application, he'd got a call from the consulate saying his application was weak, and they wanted additional documentation. Can only imagine what that must have felt like to him. Then started the frenzied work of getting in touch with the sponsors and another trip to his university at Pune. (we'd already booked tickets per program itinerary )
And finally, just last week came the Visa !
This is one of the most enticing and interesting sounding programs I've heard off. It's called the 'biggest gathering of young film makers in the world'.
Last years poster
A three month program, one hundred film makers from across the world, with not more than ten from any one country, (they've had participation from 65 countries) , travelling across Italy, one week in each town, shooting films, completing one film a week.
They call the program 'travelling movie campus and production house'. While airfare to Italy and food is paid for by the participant, the stay during the three months, and travel within Italy is completely taken care of by CinemadaMare.
Participants need to pick any area of filming they are interested in, and can even try their hands at other facets including screenplay, acting, anything. The selection is done based on application and portfolio. Dhruva has picked Editing and Direction as option 1 and 2, and is hoping to do both, and maybe more as he has a really keen ear for sound.
It starts in Rome in June, and ends in Venice at the 'Venice International Film Festival' in September. Travelling through Fiumicino, Genzano, Cattolica, Foligno, Potenza, Vasto, Maratea, Erice, Matera, Nova Siri, Napoli, Vercelli, and Venezia. I know none, but they all sounded to intriguing and Astrixy, that I just had to write :)
They also have well known film professionals taking classes and workshops in each town. Plus screenings of their films in open air town squares where city municipalities sponsor the events.
In the 'practical advice' on their site, alongside the more serious stuff of 'bring your laptop and your camera as your first job is filming', it also says, 'don't forget your bathing suit as you will also get to enjoy some of the most beautiful Italian beaches'. And it ends with:
'And finally...bring with you many ideas and resilience.....get in the game, it will be fun'
Filming with film makers from across the globe.... road travel across Italy.....live masterclasses.......screenings in town squares.....italian beaches.....a pretty exotic program design.
His thatha was saying "lucky fellow, getting such a wonderful opportunity so early in his career" While I agree, I'd also like to give full credit to Dhruva, as this was an opportunity that didn't come of it's own. It's one he pretty much created for himself, and I'm super proud of him for having done that.
There's now full excitement in the air...he leaves tomorrow !
First phase of packing today
A nice surprise last week was that Dhruva's film 'The End', got selected at the CinemadaMare Film Festival too.
Many Congratulations Dhruva ! For the film being selected, and for you being selected too. And like they said ....go join in the game, enjoy the filming, and have loads of fun.
Many Congratulations Dhruva ! For the film being selected, and for you being selected too. And like they said ....go join in the game, enjoy the filming, and have loads of fun.
For all that exposure and experience, three months from now, I guess we'll welcome you back a changed young man :)
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