CM Shri Bhupendra Patel Graces the ShortFest Award Ceremony in Ahmedabad

Gandhinagar : Addressing the ShortFest award ceremony organized by Saptrang Film Society, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel encouraged Gujarati filmmakers and artists to create films that showcase the rich culture and heritage of the state to a global audience. He emphasized that Gujarat is a land of art, storytelling, and culture. While films play a vital role in preserving folk traditions, such events also facilitate the bridging and integration of diverse cultures.

Today, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel attended the ShortFest award ceremony at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar University in Ahmedabad, where he honoured the winners of various short film categories by presenting awards to talented actors and actresses. The CM remarked that the ongoing development of the film industry in Gujarat is a direct result of the efforts made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat. 

He added that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Gujarat is transforming into a Viksit state and stands as a role model for development throughout India. Since Shri Narendra Modi took office in Gujarat in 2001, the state has consistently achieved new milestones in development, and we are all celebrating 23 years of these accomplishments. The Chief Minister stated that today the phrases “Vikas Etle Gujarat” (development means Gujarat) and “Gujarat Etle Vikas” (Gujarat symbolizes development) have become synonymous with one another. The Chief Minister further remarked that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, during his time as Chief Minister, carried out the rehabilitation of Kutch following the earthquake and provided Narmada waters to the arid and desert regions of Kutch, along with numerous other development projects. As a result, Kutch has experienced a remarkable transformation and has now become a centre for world tourism. Similarly, Gujarat has emerged as a prime destination for investment through initiatives like the Vibrant Summit and is now on the path to becoming a hub for green energy and semiconductors. The Prime Minister has articulated the mantra ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’ (Development Alongside Heritage Preservation). Films play an essential role in preserving folk culture, as Gujarat is a land rich in stories, art, and culture. The CM stated that the state government has developed an exemplary film promotion policy to support Gujarati films and the state government is always ready to help the film industry.

Emphasizing the significance of creating films that reflect cultural values and appeal to family-oriented audiences, the Chief Minister stated that while films with Western cultural themes and imitative content are gaining prominence, it is crucial to produce more films that offer high-quality content grounded in truth and scientific perspectives. The Chief Minister noted that films act as a mirror of society, and showcasing quality cinema will undoubtedly promote a positive impact on the community. In this light, he referred to the short film festival as a ‘right job at the right time’. He encouraged the dignitaries of the Gujarati Film Industry to contribute to realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and to persist in producing films that celebrate and promote our rich culture and heritage to the world.

The two-day Saptrang ShortFest was organized jointly by the Gujarat Tourism Department, Vishwa Samwad Kendra, and Bharatiya Chitra Sadhana, to provide a platform for talented short film-makers. A total of 277 short films were submitted on various themes, of which 37 films were screened, and two master classes were conducted. The event was attended by Shri Vandan Shah, President of the Saptrang Film Society; renowned artist and filmmaker Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi; Prof. (Dr) Ami Upadhyay, Vice Chancellor of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University; and Shri Vijay Thakar, Provincial Publicity President of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Also in attendance were many actors, filmmakers, film producers, cinema professionals, and film enthusiasts.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat