Melbourne, Australia — Celebrated filmmaker Shoojit Sircar is embracing a new role as a judge for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). This year marks his second consecutive time serving on the jury, where he will help select the Best Short Films. Ahead of the festival’s 2025 edition, Sircar shared insights about the challenges of evaluating cinematic art.
Although Sircar typically refrains from serving on juries, he expressed a personal connection to the IFFM, describing it as almost a family affair. "This festival is very dear to me, and the organizers are close friends," he noted. Having attended multiple times, he made an exception for the festival given its significance in his career.
Sircar acknowledged the inherent difficulty of judging films, recognizing that cinema is a deeply subjective art form. He elaborated on his approach to evaluation, emphasizing technical aspects such as cinematography, editing, and direction while also considering the film’s broader social impact. According to him, the jury looks for those films that offer substantial contributions to society, spotlighting the director’s voice and vision as key elements of quality cinema.
Recently, the announcement of the National Film Awards stirred controversy, particularly regarding Shah Rukh Khan’s Best Actor win and the Best Film award for The Kerala Story. Sircar addressed the divisive opinions surrounding these choices, reiterating the subjective nature of artistic expression. He urged spectators to respect the jury’s decisions, suggesting that the conversation should focus on the jury’s makeup and their perspectives rather than questioning the awards themselves.
Reflecting on his experiences, Sircar recalled a similar situation when his film Sardar Udham was overlooked for the International Film Festival of India in 2021. He reiterated the importance of accepting jury decisions, regardless of personal opinions about the outcomes.
The 2025 edition of the IFFM is set to take place from August 14 to August 24, showcasing a range of films that highlight diverse narratives and cultural landscapes.
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