-by Preeti Kumain BA(JMC) 3
Himpravah 2.0- An Open Air Short Film Competition
The Department of Media and Mass Communication at Graphic Era Hill University hosted an engaging and insightful workshop titled “Cinema Ki Samajh” on Monday, 11 August 2025, at the MMC Studio. The event was part of HIMPRAVH, the university’s celebrated open-air short film festival initiative, designed to deepen students’ understanding of cinema and storytelling.
The workshop began at 10:30 AM with anchor Divya introducing the students, who shared their names and reasons for participating. This interactive opening set the tone for the day, encouraging active engagement. The students were divided into three teams with eight members each for various activities and games, starting with a psychology of frames session that explored how visuals convey meaning and emotion in cinema.
Divya also shared the background of HIMPRAVH, highlighting last year’s first edition of the short film festival, the chief guest, and the brands that sponsored the event. She went on to announce the themes for HIMPRAVH 2.0, building excitement for the upcoming competition.
The first game of the day was a lively filmy quiz, where the rule was simple: the first team to raise their hand after a question got the chance to answer. In the audio round, Team C emerged victorious, while the visuals round went to Team B.
Mr. Mohit Negi, the studio in-charge, took the stage to explain HIMPRAVH’s vision. He described it as the first open-air short film festival competition of the university, emphasizing that every individual is a story and that every story revolves around a central plot. He broke down the stages of storytelling—from refining an idea, developing characters, and shaping the narrative to visually presenting it.
Students were then invited to participate in a story-building activity, where Mr.Mohit Negi began a story about a cobbler, and students collectively added their own ideas to advance the plot. A second story followed, centering on a 15-year-old child. Throughout, the importance of logic in storytelling was stressed, with a focus on realism—ensuring that actions, dialogues, and visual elements support the narrative believably.
Participants were later given five minutes to create and present their own short stories, which showcased their creativity and unique perspectives.
The session then shifted to acting skills, led by Dhruv, a third-year BJMC student and experienced theatre artist. He introduced tongue twisters to help students loosen up and explained that acting is rooted in emotions, combining the body and mind. He also conducted quick activities designed to improve body coordination, self-awareness, and observation skills—essential qualities for any performer.
By the end of the workshop, students had not only learned the technical aspects of filmmaking but also experienced the collaborative and creative process firsthand. The event blended theory, practice, and play, ensuring that participants walked away with a deeper appreciation of cinema’s storytelling power.
With HIMPRAVH 2.0 on the horizon, “Cinema Ki Samajh” successfully sparked enthusiasm and inspiration among budding filmmakers, storytellers, and performers at Graphic Era Hill University.
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