68 Pages Film - Sang Mere Touring Festival

68 Pages

Marked by Pain, Bound by Hope

SANG MERE Touring Festival

Some ideas are born out of a creative inspiration; some are born out of an angry revolt. Both lead to a new beginning. 'Sang Mere' touring festival is a result of the latter.

With mainstream distribution and corporate support not forthcoming for the film - because it is about people with HIV/ AIDS and deals with stigmatized people like homosexuals and transsexuals or because the film has no celebrity star cast, the reason is unclear - we were left looking for alternate and innovative streams to reach the film to the audiences. A touring festival of a series of screening in collaboration with local film clubs, NGOs and CBOs seemed like a fabulous idea to create awareness about both the film and the issues dealt in it.

With a modest financial grant from HIVOS, the 'Sang Mere' touring festival has been initially designed as a 12 city tour across India - Mumbai, Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Nagpur, Indore, Baroda, Surat, Ahmedabad and Goa.

In Kolkata it is supported by SAATHII, an organization that intends to strengthen the capacity of organizations working against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in India through information dissemination, networking, technical assistance and advocacy. In Delhi the film is being screened at The India International Center in collaboration with Magic Lantern Foundation, a media action group whose objective is using communication tools to advance human rights and giving voice to the problems and concerns of marginalized people. Similarly in every city we partner with local agencies that share similar interest and mindsets to screen the film and hold discussion after it.

Through the festival we intend to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, about HIV positive people, about stigmatized and marginalized communities, about acceptance and dignity, about hope and happiness of living.

DVDs of the film will also be made available at the venues so that people in the audience - whether from organizations or individuals - can take the film further to screen it at their local networks and raise discussions.

This is just an initial step in raising the social conscience about people living with HIV and removing stigma and discrimination. We hope that this festival will become a movement to mainstream and integrate sexual minorities.

Every help and support in this direction is solicited and welcome.

SCHEDULE (confirmed till date)

Kolkata - June 28th at Paribesh Bhavan (in partnership with SAATHII and Kolkata Rishta)

New Delhi - July 10th at IIC (in partnership with Magic Lantern Foundation)

New Delhi - July 11th at Kriti Film Club (in partnership with Kriti Film Club)

Chennai - July 11th (in partnership with SIAAP)

Baroda, Surat & Ahmedabad (in partnership with Lakshya Trust)

Help us by organizing a screening in your own city. Write to us.