Netflix teams up with French institute to host masterclasses on short films at 52nd IFFI

The OTT platform Netflix will hold masterclasses in short filmmaking, in collaboration with the French school of visual communication and arts GOBELINS L'école de L'image, at the 52nd edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

The organizers of the festival, which is scheduled to begin on 20 November, host such events — in addition to screening a host of exciting films — for film students and critics.

The masterclasses will focus on the nuances of the short film medium and cover topics such as its importance and how to tell compelling stories.

Cecile Blondel, head of International Development at GOBELINS L'école de L'image — where she teaches visual storytelling — will speak at the event. She has studied and worked in the field of the history of art over a number of years. Vajra Pancharia, director of the short film Blue Curry (2021), is also a part of the faculty. He is the recipient of the Best Graphic Design Award at the HP Master of Shorts at the prestigious Cannes International Film festival 2017 for the short film Tube Light.

The masterclass 'Why make a short film?', delivered by Blondel, will be organized from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm on Tuesday, 23 November. The session 'Why short films are valued by producers' will be held from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm the following day. And the final masterclass, 'Session with an expert', which will be delivered by Vajra Pancharia, will be organized by 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm the day after.

Those interested in attending the masterclasses can register on the IFFI’s website.