Documentary filmmaker and editor Reena Mohan is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award at the 14th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), which is being held from 26-31 August in Thiruvananthapuram.
A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, Mohan has directed several documentaries, edited numerous features, over 50 documentaries, and a television series. She has won the National award for her first documentary, Kamlabai (1991), and subsequently won two more National awards.
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Speaking about her participation at the festival, the filmmaker described the IDSFFK award as being, “an honour and a privilege”. She recalled how she had come for the first edition of the festival as a jury member and contributed subsequently as a curator. She also said that the award has resonated with young women filmmakers who called to congratulate her for receiving the honour. IDSFFK shared a video on Instagram about Reena speaking about the award.
In addition, the festival is also screening a package of films titled, 'Lifetime Achievement Award - Reena Mohan: Embodying a Myriad of Cinematic Realms’, which comprises of nine films, including Kamlabai, Skin Deep (1998), and On An Express Highway (2003), which are directed by her. Films edited by her, Mati Manas (1985) directed by Mani Kaul, Babulal Bhuiya Ki Qurbani (1988) directed by Manjira Datta, In The Forest Hangs A Bridge (1999) directed by Sanjay Kak, Sundar Nagri (2003) directed by Rahul Roy, and Dreaming Taj Mahal directed by Nirmal Chander (2010), are also a part of the package.
Below is a link to her documentary, Kamlabai.