Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication organises its Annual ‘We Care’ International Film Festival 2022

New Delhi: Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication (AIMC) recently organised the 13th Edition of the International We Care Film Festival on the theme of ‘Issue of Disability’. It was a two-day festival held from 15th to 16th December 2022 in collaboration with Brotherhood, an internationally recognised NGO, UNESCO and UN Information Centre. 

This film festival honours the courage and tenacity of millions of people with disabilities. Further, it endeavours to throw the spotlight on the heroism and struggle of specially-abled people around the globe and to acknowledge their special abilities.  

The festival was attended by media students from various universities and colleges. The Chief Guest for First Day was Prof Sanjay Ahirwal, Dean, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Apeejay Stya University. The Guests of Honour were Dr Hemlata, Deputy Director, National Centre for Disability Studies, IGNOU, New Delhi and Ms Reena Charles, Educationist and Social Activist, Ek Ehsaas Foundation (EFF) Delhi. Special Guests for the event were the Specially-Abled children from the Ashish Foundation (NGO). Prof Sajal Mukherjee, Director, AIMC and Prof. Ashok Ogra, Advisor, AIMC were present at the event.

Welcoming the esteemed guests and members of the Ashish Foundation, Prof Sajal Mukherjee, in his address said, “We as a Mass Communication Institute are proud to have initiated and continued the conversation on ‘the issue of disability’ for the last 13 years. Our aim is to spread awareness and sensitise young impressionable minds through the medium of films and various discussions related to this theme.”

The Guest of Honour, Dr. Hemlata in her speech expressed her joy to collaborate with Apeejay Education. She narrated about her meeting with Sushma Paul Berlia, Co-promoter & President, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Co-Founder & Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University and Chairman, Apeejay Education, about how they brainstormed the innovative ways to practice disability inclusion in every school and higher education institutions of Apeejay Education. 

The Second day of the festival hosted the School students and the event was graced by Dr. Basheerhamad Shadrach, Director, Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries included RJ Tripti, Satish Kapoor, Founding President – Brotherhood and Festival Director. 

National Anthem was sung in Sign Language along with its video, featuring Amitabh Bachchan and children with disabilities, playing simultaneously. Numerous award-winning National and International level films were also screened. These included Here, Incognito, Fish & I and Butterfly Circus, to name a few. The festival also witnessed an enthralling fashion show showcased by the specially-abled children from the Ashish Foundation. A Photography and Painting exhibition was displayed at this festival. The creative entries for the same were received from various schools. The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony.