FTII Hosts Screening of 'Da'lit Kids' Following Festival Cancellations
In a significant act of solidarity, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune screened Appu Soman's 6-minute animation film 'Da'lit Kids' on Friday evening, after the work was abruptly canceled at the Animela Animation Festival in Mumbai and the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad. The screening commenced at 6:30 PM, drawing attention to broader issues of censorship and institutional support within India's film education sector.
Overwhelming Response and Community Support
Appu Soman, the filmmaker, expressed being "overwhelmed" and "excited" by FTII's decision to not only screen his film but also include works from fellow filmmakers who withdrew their projects from Animela in protest. He described the event as "a community coming together," emphasizing that premier film institutes, despite operating separately, unite in times of need. The response at FTII was deeply touching for Soman, a student at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), with viewers sending personal messages and labeling the film as the "need of the hour." Audiences reflected on how animation can transcend visual and sonic storytelling, while questioning the initial festival cancellations.
Student-Led Initiatives and Institutional Challenges
Stanzin Smonlam, a member of FTII's screening committee, highlighted the importance of the screening, noting that it was driven by student choice. "Screenings were entirely decided by students in the past," Smonlam explained. "About two years ago, a screening committee was formed, but we've seen draconian measures introduced to limit our proactive roles in selecting films." He added that screening 'Da'lit Kids' was imperative to show solidarity with SRFTI, their sister institute. Before the film, Smonlam read a statement from the SRFTI student union, asserting the right to screen films of their choice in educational settings. "In recent times, whenever we wanted to screen a film, certain clauses and conventions were cited as barriers. This time, we were simply lucky to screen 'Da'lit Kids' without problems," he remarked.
Censorship Controversies and Future Steps
When asked about the permissions issue, Soman speculated that the ministry or board responsible for the cancellations likely did not watch the film. "This is how it happens with any film," he stated, drawing parallels to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting denying clearance for 19 films at the 2025 International Film Festival of Kerala, including classics like 'Battleship Potemkin' and 'Beef', due to lack of censorship exemptions. Soman criticized the government, saying, "This govt and its minions fear the people who speak. The first thing they'll do is take away the spaces," arguing that such restrictions only fuel resistance. He found it ironic that a project developed under an I&B Ministry institute lacked a censor certificate. Looking ahead, Soman plans to obtain certification for 'Da'lit Kids', continue filmmaking, and create alternative spaces for voices outside institutional protection.
