(Top) Physically challenged people outside the Nalco auditorium in Bhubaneswar and a still from a film screened at the festival. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 17: As Isheihanbi, a victim of cerebral palsy, deftly put one end of a thread through the eye of the needle with her feet, the entire Nalco auditorium burst into applause. Around 30 awe-inspiring documentaries on disability were showcased at the two-day We Care film festival that began today.

A joint venture by NGOs Aaina and Brotherhood, this travelling festival on disability issues is the first of its kind in Bhubaneswar. It showcases some renowned documentary films on disability from India and abroad. The film festival not only aims at raising awareness about the problems and predicaments of a disabled life, but also provides a forum to give voice to those with special needs.

“We travel to as many as 25 venues every year sensitising the masses on disability and this is our eighth consecutive year. Documentaries on disability are also judged during this film fest by eminent personalities like Govind Nihalani and others. This is one of our ways of awakening the masses on the issue,” said programme manager Richa Bharti.

The festival screened documentaries on inspiring journeys of some persons with disabilities, who have tackled all the hardships and challenges with a smile. The screening began with a tribute to social activist from the state, late Ashok Hans, and his immense contributions in the field of disability. Documentary director Ayush Nagpal’s Saksham Lok, that beautifully brings out the confidence and self-respect of a shopkeeper with physical disability, also won appreciation.

The evening session of the festival showcased documentary films made by filmmakers from Orissa, which was followed by an interactive session between the directors and the viewers. As many as 15 Oriya short documentary films were screened. The first day concluded with Iranian director Maji Majidi’s documentary Colour of Paradise that shows a young visually impaired boy’s emotional reunion with his family.

One of the highlights of the event was the recital of the Indian national anthem in sign language, directed by the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for Hearing Handicapped.

Cinematographer Govind Nihalani, who has been judging the documentaries showcased in the We Care film fest for several years, said: “Visuals have deeper impact on our minds. Though there have been several campaigns through leaflets and paperwork to increase awareness on disability, it is through these documentaries that we can reach the mass faster and more effectively.”

Minister of tourism and culture Prafulla Samal, present on the occasion, announced free of cost access of city auditoriums such as Rabindra Mandap and Bhanja Kala Mandap for any cultural event organised for the disabled.