Awards & Recognition

Guwahati, July 30: Two of the films prepared by the students of NPS International School, Guwahati were screened at the prestigious 45th Giffoni International Film Festival in Italy recently and were highly appreciated by experts, including Hollywood stars like Tom Felton,

Martin Freeman, Darren Criss and Orlando Bloom.

Three NPS students, namely Hrishiraj Sawan (class IX), Dicha Boro (class VIII) and Trishna Saha (class VIII) were also selected to be members of jury+13 during the 45th edition of Europe’s largest children’s film festival in Italy.

Assam Bamboo Craft and We are Same Same But Different were screened at the film fest, which was attended by the representatives of 42 countries, 3300 students and 420 delegates. NPS were the only nominee from India during the event.

Interacting with students after attending the screening of the films, Harry Potter-fame Thomas Andrew “Tom” Felton was all praise of the students of NPS for their creativity in both Assam Bamboo Craft and We are Same Same But Different.

“Personality like Hollywood superstar Felton’s words of appreciation were really encouraging for our students,” said JN Das, director of NPS, who led the Indian delegation to the coveted fest.

Soon after screening of both the films, global community attending the film fest, especially some of the experts in the field, thanked us and wanted to know much about the Northeast region of India, especially its culture, traditions and food habits etc., Das said adding: People

attending the screening of Assam Bamboo Craft also showed curiosity to know much about the forest cover of the region, especially about the types of bamboos and their utility in diverse fields. Attending the programme, English actor Martin Freeman also spoke highly about both the movies solely prepared by the NPS students. “It was really encouraging for all of us to meet Hollywood superstars like Freeman, Felton, Darren Criss and Orlando Bloom. It was a lifetime experience for us,” said Hrishiraj Sawan, a class IX NPS student and a member of the jury of the Giffoni International Film Festival which concluded on July 26.

Hrishiraj along with Dicha Boro of class VIII and Trishna Saha of class VIII had the privilege to judge some of the films prepared by children of age group of 13-15 years. “We were selected to judge seven films. Accordingly, we voted and selected films in such a mega forum,” Hrishiraj said, adding: During our interaction, the Hollywood stars gave us tips on various topics, including fundamentals of making movies and judging films. Judging films in such a mega film festival was nothing but a lifetime opportunity for all of us. Showcasing the marvels of the Northeast, NPS students elaborated on the bamboo craft of Assam through their film Assam Bamboo Craft. While We are Same Same But Different is a documentary based on discrimination against the people of the Northeast India in the so-called mainland India.

“This kind of well-organised festival gives students enough scope for exchange of ideas at international level. Media education has tremendous potential at global level and NPS is providing the same for its students,” Das said.

Speaking on the participation of Hollywood stars during the event, Das further said that interaction with such personalities will definitely help students to achieve success in life. “These personalities also shared their secret of success with the students. By attending such events, students can also be benefitted from concept like global friendship etc,” he added.