Going out with handy advice

Annapurna International School of Film & Media (AISFM) experienced an evening of pride and satisfaction as they celebrated Graduation Film Fest 2016 where their final year BFA and MA students showcased their fine skills with short films that they made as part of their graduation.

Eight short films were screened during the film festival in which actress Lakshmi Manchu, screenplay writer Gopi Mohan, director Kalyan Krishna, producer and head of Prasad Studios Ramesh Prasad, Executive Director of Annapurna Studios Supriya Yarlagadda and actors Sumanth and Akhil Akkineni were present along with Bala Raj, the dean of AISFM.

From a short film, which took one back to the 1900’s to the films which spoke about topics that not many are comfortable talking about the film festival portrayed the talent of these students with immense aspirations. Speaking about the event, Lakshmi Manchu said, “Congratulations on such incredible work. I am inspired by all of you. A lot of hard work goes into cinema and here overnight success happens in 10 years.”

Advising the students she said, “Nothing is more beautiful than cinema, define yourself. What is the story that you have, that is compelling to tell? Identify that and keep your passion, drive and love alive for cinema.” Ramesh Prasad, reminisced about how his father, LV Prasad and said that there were four things that he followed and advised the students to do the same; “passion, patience, perseverance and purity of thought.”

Akhil Akkineni lauded the efforts of the students. “My grandfather’s dream was to give back to cinema and he would have been proud to see your wonderful films,” he said. “The harsh reality is don’t ever let yourself down if your vision is not translated onto the screen. Stay on your course. Passion for what you do is very important. If you don’t love it, don’t do it, you won’t last,” he advised.