Free Software Movement of India

The delegates participating in the National Conference on Free Software being held at Bangaluru have decided to form a consortium of organizations and movements working to popularise free software namely the Free Software Movement of India . Joseph Thomas from Kerala was elected as the President and Kiran Chandra from AP as the Secretary of FSMI.

6th edition of National Theatre Festival inaugurated at Thiruvananthapuram

Chief Minister of Kerala V.S.Achuthanandan inaugurated the 6th edition of National Theatre Festival, being organised jointly by the Information and Public Relations Department, Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi, South Zone Cultural Centre and National School of Drama, at Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday evening, While inaugurating the fest Achuthanandan said the notion that artistes are mere tools who just deliver the dialogue prompted to them has to be changed. Actors are the strength of the medium and they should not be underestimated as dolls. Modern techniques should not eclipse the genuine talent of artistes who reflect the social realities and personal sorrows.He also said that globalisation is also playing its role in undermining the importance of theatre , the regional characteristics and diversity.Culture Minister M.A. Baby in his presidential address said that Asian Theatre Festival to be held at Thrissur in December by the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi will feature Latin American plays. Such festivals are major cultural interventions and there will be more such efforts, he said. Information Secretary T.K. Manoj Kumar welcomed the gathering. Veteran actor T. Santha Devi was felicitated at the function. Public Relations Director M. Nandakumar proposed a vote of thanks.

6th Nation Theatre festival of Kerala -March 10 - 17 at Thiruvananthapuram

Information and Public Relations Department of Kerala opens up a new vista of cultural extravaganza, National Theatre Festival, to the art aficionados of Kerala, which is scheduled from March 10 - 17 at Thiruvananthapuram. The sixth episode of the festival highlights the theme- Modern-Contemporary Theatre will be a unique experience with the presence of up-to-the-date drama techniques, a real light and sound show without losing the essence of drama.The festival will showcase a cross section of the following modern-contemporary theatre creations 1. Sagara Kannyaka (Malayalam/Dir. Jyothish M.G. Abhinaya, Thiruvananthapuram), 2.Dalpat Singh Yeti Gava (Dalpat Singh Comes to Village/Marathi/ Playwright: Makarand Sathe, Dir.: Atul Pethe, Rangmala Natak Mandali, Jambsamrath) 3Koottukrishi (Malayalam/Dir. : Narippatta Raju, Pravaachaka (Malayalam/ Dir. CV Sudhi Nireeksha, Thiruvananthapuram) 4. Pravaachaka (Malayalam/Dir. CV Sudhi , Nireeksha, Thiruvananthapuram) 5.Tedha Darpan (Hindi/Playwright: Anton Chekhov /Dir.: Rajkumar Rajak)6 Bikhare Bimb (Hindi /Playwright & Direction: Girish Karnad/Rang Sankara, Bangaluru), 7.Trojan Women: A Love Story (Playwright: Jean Paul Sartre /Script: Supriya /Direction: Kumaradas T.N./Department of Indian Theatre, Punjab University , Chandigarh Mor) 8. Black Orchid (Manipuri/Playwright: Budha Chigtham /Direction: Toijam Shila Devi /Prospective Repertory Theatre, Imphal Manipu) 9.Iruvattom Manavatti (Malayalam/Dir.: Ramesh Varma)10.Ningal Yenne Communistakki (Malayalam/Dir.: KPAC)11. Ecdysis (The Snake Sheds its Skin/German, Hindi, Punjabi/Concept & Direction: Arjun Raina ,Delhi,12. Avanavan Kadamba (Malayalam/Playwright & Direction: Kavaalam Narayana Panikkar
Sopanam, Thiruvananthapuram, 13. Spinal Cord (Malayalam/Script & Direction: Deepan Shivaraman /Oxygen Theatre Group, Thrissur, 14.Centaurs (Hindustani/Dir.: Anuradha Kapur /Vivadi, Delhi.

3rd International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala 11th-15th June 2010, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

The 3rd International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala will be held in the capital city Kerala ,Thiruvananthapuram from the 11th-15th June 2010.The festival, is being organized by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy for the Dept of Cultural Affairs, Govt of Kerala . There will be a national level competition for long documentaries, short documentaries, animation and short fiction films produced in India between May 1st 2009 and 25th April 2010. The following awards will be given:
a) Best Long Documentary (40mts and above) with a cash prize of Rs 1.00 lakhs and a certificate.
b) Best Short Documentary (under 40mts) with a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/ and a certificate.
c) Best Short Fiction (under 70mts) with a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/ and a certificate
d) Best Animation with a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/ and a certificate.
e) Best Music Video with a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/ and a certificate Best Campus Film (20min and below) with a cash prize of Rs. 20,000/ and a certificate to the creative team. Details can be had from iffkoffice@yahoo.co.in www.keralafilm.com