Times are changing, this is a Phase of Renaissance for Women in Indian Cinema
A star-studded panel session, the Role of Women in Indian Independent Cinema, presided over by festival curator Golda Sellam, saw the participation of four powerhouse women of contemporary Indian cinema: actresses Kani Kusruti and Anaswara Sengupta, filmmaker Rima Das, and cinematographer Fowzia Fathima.
Kani Kusruti said, "There should be space for women filmmakers to work freely without added pressure in their fields, and we should be allowed the privilege to make bad movies." This statement reflected on the relative intolerance towards women filmmakers.
The panel unanimously voiced that the increased participation of women in storytelling has opened up a whole new world of unexplored tales and perspectives, and that women are increasingly able to extend the longevity of their careers. However, Fowzia pointed out that, especially in the technical areas of the film industry, the representation of women remains marginal. The panel also expressed concern about the difficulty in securing funding for films helmed by women filmmakers.
Rima Das stated that the practice of categorizing perspectives into binary male and female segments is unacceptable, emphasizing that cinema should be inclusive of every spectrum of human identity. Although a new wave of inclusiveness and diversity has emerged, she noted that more work needs to be done to become a strong, unified force. According to Das, the key to establishing a stable foundation for women in cinema lies in consistent collaboration.
The panel appreciated Kerala's vibrant film culture, which has helped create a film-literate society.
