Teen Indie Film Awards showcase stark facets of reality

The School of Film, Media, and Creative Arts at RV University recently hosted its annual Teen Indie Film Awards (TIFA). Celebrating its fourth edition, the festival not only received a plethora of films produced by aspiring artistes from different countries, but also hosted events such as screenings, masterclasses, and panel discussions.

In the session titled, Emerging Filmmakers Of Kannada Cinema, instead of action-packed heroes and heroines with an item song or two there were fresh perspectives and warm narratives of nouveau filmmakers.

The panelists comprising Kannada filmmakers Sunil S Bharadwaj, Sunanya Suresh, Srujan Belli, Yashwant Veeresh, and journalist BN Subramanyaspoke about the importance of film festivals, and the purpose they serve for aspiring filmmakers who receive confidence, feedback, and exposure, at these platforms.

Two short films that stood out were by Bengaluru-based filmmakers — Mouna Raga by Sunayana Suresh and Brothers by Yeshwant Veeresh. Sunayana’s film depicted the life of a female food delivery worker and its warmth demanded audiences build empathy in a city that can be hostile. Filled with everyday visuals of Bengaluru, Mouna Raga acknowledged the privilege of security. 

Brothers, on the other hand, haunted you long after the credits faded. The vivid cinematography captured death through the lives of two brothers on the run with chilling imagery that was raw, disturbing, and brilliant. With Brothers, Yeshwant presents audiences with a view of life surrounded by psychological struggles. 

At TIFA 2025
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Both these productions felt grounded, honest and relevant. Unfortunately, cinema today requires marketing,” says Sunayana, adding, “Films like these that touch on issues of caste, class and sex, lack the exposure they need.”

According to Yeshwant, the beauty of filming in a metropolis like Bengaluru, are the people, who are not only helpful, but also curious. He says, “People in Karnataka consume all types of movies. They have different tastes, especially those living in Bengaluru; the audiences know what comprises good cinema”.