A Dream Come True: An Unforgettable Saturday

Last Saturday was a day filled with joy, pride, and a sense of accomplishment for us. Our YWTC Trust has been dedicated to promoting sports for Persons with Disabilities and encouraging their involvement in the entertainment industry. On that day, our dream became a reality.

We approached the Film and Television Institute of India Pune to train persons with disabilities in various filmmaking skills like acting, direction, smartphone filmmaking, mime and dubbing. With their invaluable partnership, we arranged comprehensive courses under

our "Lights Camera Inclusion" program supported by Fiserv Gives Back, Fiserv  's Global Corporate Social Responsibility program.

These courses were a stepping stone towards our ultimate goal of producing thought-provoking films that would challenge societal perceptions and promote inclusion.

Finally our YWTC Trust could produce two thoughtprovoking films—a short film and a documentary with the thoughtful support of our partner Fiserv. Previously, we made a short film with zero budget, relying solely on voluntary contributions

After securing censor certificates and completing all necessary processes, we arranged a private screening of our films at PVR Sathyam Cinemas. With their timely guidance and amazing volunteering support, this screening was held on Saturday.

This moment was truly special, as we gathered our course participants, partners, and a few well-wishers to witness the fruits of our efforts. The hall's capacity was limited, but the impact of our films was immeasurable.

Each film carries a powerful message of inclusion:

When Opportunity Knocks the Recruiter's Door!

This film highlighted the need to overcome biases and recruit persons with disabilities for a variety of roles, ensuring equal opportunities for career growth. It was a call to action for employers to recognize the talent and potential of individuals with disabilities.

Stride

This film focused on intersectionality and the support needed for individuals hesitating to declare their sexual identity due to societal stigma. It also addressed the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities in overcoming these fears.

Beyond the Court: The Indian Wheelchair Basketball Journey

This documentary aimed to create awareness about the challenges and positive impact of promoting wheelchair basketball. It showcased the determination and passion of the players, inspiring others to embrace the sport and support its growth in India.

This is just the beginning of our journey. I will be sharing a series of posts about our efforts to produce these films, offering you an insight into the scale of our endeavors and the heartfelt feedback our partners and guests shared after watching them.

Stay tuned for more updates!

photo courtesy: @deafartistscollective

Monthly Meeting RRD - Janaki Sabesh

We had the incredible honor of hosting Janaki Sabesh, the renowned actor, dubbing artist, storyteller, and author, for our filmmaking courses participants last Sunday!

Janaki Sabesh showcased her exceptional storytelling skills, captivating us with her voice modulation while narrating the timeless story of the lion and the mouse. Her engaging style and voice exercises provided invaluable insights to enhance our storytelling techniques.

She also shared her fascinating journey in the film industry, highlighting her accidental entry into cinema and the importance of being a director's actor. Her advice resonated deeply: "Everyone has a story within them that can keep them awake at night. Start writing it."

We are immensely grateful to Janaki for sparing her precious time with us. A special thank you to team RRD GO Creative  for providing the venue and volunteering support.

#Filmmaking #Storytelling  #FilmIndustry #Gratitude

YWTC Monthly Get Together

This Sunday was well-spent. As part of our YWTC Trust's series of monthly get-togethers with participants from our film-making courses, supported by RRD GO Creative, we had the privilege of inviting a well-known film director and visiting faculty member from various universities in India and abroad, Mr Hariharan. A heartfelt thanks to Mr. Phonsok for introducing us to him. Additionally, Nithya took care of the sign language interpretation for some of our participants, for which we are grateful. 

With the support of Fiserv (CSR Partner), United Way Mumbai (CSR NGO Partner) , we arranged various courses around film making to persons with disabilities in partnership with Film and Television Institute of India Pune , and currently, we are working on making a short film and documentary using the talents of our own participants. These get-togethers are part of our efforts to support our participants in honing their skills and fostering a collaborative learning environment.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. Hariharan for generously sparing his precious time for us and for sharing invaluable insights into filmmaking. He strongly recommended that all participants begin their journey into visual storytelling by creating one-minute films. According to him, anyone aspiring to enter the film industry through any department must first understand the art of visual storytelling by making short films to better comprehend their role.

Among his teachings, Mr. Hariharan emphasized that creativity blossoms through association, and repetition with variation is a fundamental principle of design. He encouraged us all to collaborate closely to achieve outstanding results.

During his session, Mr. Hariharan also covered various topics including lighting, point of view, and shot angles. His imparted knowledge has left a lasting impact on our participants, inspiring them to delve deeper into the art and craft of filmmaking.