Bhubaneswar, May 7: Many short filmmakers are releasing their productions online.

Manas Ranjan Giri recently released his debut film on YouTube. "It was an experimental film, and my budget was limited. I, therefore, launched it on YouTube, and anybody can watch it there. It is free," said Giri.

"A number of my friends, who had liked it on the site, also shared it on various social networking websites, and now, more people get to know about the film and are watching it. I have also received a lot of reviews from the viewers - which is, in a way, helping me evaluate my work," said the short filmmaker.

The 10-minute film, Thi Koi, is a love story that was released last week. It already has more than 700 views on YouTube.

Another filmmaker, Raj Sampad, released a short film, which he had made on a traffic home guard, on YouTube yesterday.

"One needs to rent a theatre or a small auditorium to release a film and the process involves a lot of hassle and requires money as well. Comparatively, the process of releasing a film is far more convenient online," said Raj, adding that it also provided for better utilisation of one's creative pursuits.

The young filmmaker had earlier made documentaries such as Man of God and Dreaming with Sand, and they had received appreciation at a number of film festivals across the country.

Bhubaneswar-based techie Dilshad Ayubi had released his film French Cut on the online platform on Valentine's Day. He said the release had helped him reach out to viewers from across the globe.

"If I had screened the film at a nearby auditorium, only a few people would have seen it. But through the Internet, people from various parts of the world watched my film and gave their opinion on it. Around 7,000 people have already watch the film," said Dilshad.

YouTube has also collaborated with Pocket Films, distributor of films on the Internet and mobile platforms, to screen Indian short films regularly. Every day, a new film is selected and showcased. Manas' film Thi Koi has been selected for screening on the platform.

All of these short films are made on budgets of less than Rs 1 lakh.

"The maximum money spent is on shooting locations and to fulfil some technical requirements. The money that we would have otherwise spent on promotion or in booking theatres is utilised in the making in this case," said Manas.

Another local filmmaker Amartya Bhattacharya, who has made a mark with making independent films, said theatres rarely agreed to screen documentaries.

"Rarely would you find a theatre screening independent films, or a film without stars. I have struggled a lot to promote my films. Initially, everyone refused to help. I have tried to convince some theatres and auditoriums, but most of them refused to co-operate, and some even put forward such conditions that I could never satisfy. So, having no other choice, I had to resort to the online medium as the only platform. But if you click once and are able to grab attention, there is be no looking back," said Amartya.

His short film, Hoyto Kobitar Jonyo (In Poetic Hues), made in Bengali and English, has been selected for screening at the 68th Festival De Cannes, in May.

Although, online release of films generates no revenue, it can give that kick-start to the careers of aspiring filmmakers.

"Online media remains the primary promotional ground for young filmmakers. But it has also become more aggressive than before, and one needs to come up with good films," Amartya said.

"The online platform is definitely the easiest way to reach out the masses. There are two reasons. First, many platforms such as YouTube are free of cost. Second, most people nowadays are addicted to the social networking sites. Therefore, it's easy to share your work and grab attention," said Amartya.

Another short filmmaker in the city, Sabyasachi Jana, said sharing films online helped in promoting the culture of the state as well. "I once made a film on the Buddhist heritage sites of the state, and it went viral on the website. Thereafter, an academician from China messaged me on Facebook, saying that he wanted to come to our state to make a research project on the Buddhist tourist places present here. I was so glad," said Jana.

Like Jana, many other youngsters in the city have made films on the traditional dance forms, tourist places, street life and tribal lifestyles.

Popular Odia filmmaker Biranchi Narayan Panda had released a short film Change the World on YouTube two weeks ago. In the film, he has shown how youngsters can contribute to the society and come up with various initiatives.

"Now, it's time for me to make films that generate awareness among the public. As online media is the in thing, I have chosen the platform," Panda said.