Cuttack, Dec. 29: A two-day cinema festival was organised at the Biju Patnaik Film and Television Institute here in a bid to provide a glimpse of skills and creativity that goes into the making of a film.

This is for the first time the institute had organised a special programme to celebrate cinema. Seven feature films, three documentaries and two short films, made by eminent filmmakers from the state, were screened during the two-day event meant for students. Pramod Panda, director of technical education and training inaugurated the festival yesterday.

An official of the Biju Patnaik Film and Television Institute said that though there had been events to celebrate cinema, it was generally confined to meetings and other small programmes since the past five years.

'We are happy that we got to know about the minute efforts that goes into making of a documentary or a feature film. As a student of cinematography, it is very essential to understand the concept before going for shooting on any subject,' said Birendra Bijay Das, a student.

The students were elated over the fact that they got an opportunity to interact with eminent filmmakers, who were also present during the screening of the short films and documentaries.

The students appreciated director Debaranjan Samal's short film Prayas as it provided an outlet to portray the contemporary events that are taking place in the country. The short film had earlier won an award in the youth festival held in New Delhi in November.

'Being an alumni of the institute, it really makes me proud that my movie was screened. It will certainly encourage students to come up with good and unique concepts,' said Samal. Based on freedom from poverty, corruption and illiteracy, the audience also appreciated the film.

A lot of other short films such as Maya Miriga, Nila Mastarani, Kathantara, Poojka Paeen Phulatie and Jyotsna were also screened.

'We have decided toinvitestudents from other filminstitutes in the country and it will be organised in a larger scale from next year,' said Rakesh Das, senior lecturer of the film institute.