As part of the Shivamogga Dasara celebrations, short films directed by young and talented filmmakers of Shivamogga were screened at Suvarna Samskruthika Bhavana in the city on Wednesday.

Sharavathi, directed by Prashanth Sagara, is based on a short story by noted writer Na. D’Souza. A young photographer, keen on capturing the scenic beauty of the Malnad region, encounters a strange man on the banks of the Sharavathi backwaters. Through him, the film tells the story of the pain of hundreds of families displaced by the construction of the Linganamakki Dam as part of a hydroelectric project, and captures their suffering.

Another short film, Kabandha, directed by Pruthvi Gowda, deals with the pressure on young students and the profit-driven private colleges. Double Tick, directed by Eshanya Sharma tells the story of elderly people struggling with new communication tools and applications.

Film director Rajendra Singh Babu, who inaugurated the programme, said the film industry had provided jobs to lakhs of people. The State government had a responsibility to strengthen the industry with constant support. 

Actors Manjunath and Rohit Srinath, who began their careers as child artists, recalled their days with the crew of Malgudi Days, which was shot in parts of Shivamogga district.

Actor Sangeetha Anil, Shivamogga MLA S.N. Channabasappa, MLC D.S. Arun, and others were present at the programme.