The National Science Film Festival of India-A tool for learning science film making

Abstract

Films have been an effective medium of communication of the messages of science since many years. The impact of films can be marked well on the minds and thoughts of viewers. Now a days intervention of technology is increasing day by day and it has enhanced techniques of video conferencing and films on science. Moreover, online lectures have proved to be more useful to reach the students. Science based films are better collaboration of both science and art for learning. It requires only creative minds as well as scientific attitude since the language of films is different than that of books. Films are always capable to communicate its messages even in small dialogues along with attractive(catchy) titles. This audio-visual médium connects the viewers more than the text books. In “Vigyan Prasar” popular science film production was initiated(started) about two decades ago. To encourage making of science films in India, it came up with a “Science Film Festival” originally entitled “Rashtriya Vigyan Chalchitra Mela(RVCM)”. At present, it is celebrated every year in the name of National Science Film Festival(NSFF). A large number of films submitted by the National and International producers are classified in various categories and are shown to the viewers and members of jury on the screen during this festival and then decisión is taken by the members of jury regarding final list of films. The screening of films along with work shops provides an opportunity for learning and also provide a platform to delibrate on arising obstacles or difficulties on the way of making science-based films. This film festival event is always educational, entertaining and above all it encourages the scientific thinking among all the participants. In this study, an analysis has been presented rgarding those films which were included during film festival of 2015. At the same time, a comparative study has also been done between NSFF and other Indian Science Film Festivals as well as competitions.