Events and festivals can get tricky when organized on a virtual platform, where you experience everything virtually and your best friend is technology. It is a big deal to have a fun engaging festival over the internet where all it takes is a click to leave or enter the journey. The Kalinga Global Photography Festival (KGPF) 2020 attracted participants from seven countries which is a testament of its success and reach.

The Festival, organized by KIIT School of Film and Media Sciences (KSFMS), concluded today on a high note. The three-day festival was filled with lots of knowledge, fun, exposure and hope for a better future.

It featured 10 virtual webinar sessions, including the keynote address by Mr. Jugal Debata, eminent award winning cinematographer along with KSFMS alumni, Pratyaay Sarkar from West Bengal; Aishath Shafaa from Maldives; Theophilus A. Yeboah from Ghana; and Jamyan Norbu from Bhutan.

Three students of BFTP Rajkishore Mohapatra, Nihar Ranjan Saha and Puru Priyam also delivered their talk in the webinar. The festival was virtually inaugurated by Prof. Himansu Sekhar Khatua, CEO, SFMS, SFT & SMC.

KGPF took a different, yet magnificent approach this time. It broke the tradition of inviting people with immense experience. Rather, it called the contemporary filmmakers who are on their way to create something beautiful. So the youth could relate and engage more in the event.

Mr. Jugal Debata chaired the jury committee to decide upon the winners of the photography competition, both in the Mobile and DSLR category. In the Mobile Photography category Mr. Rayhaan Shaikh won 1st prize and Ms. Akanksha Pattanaik bagged the runners up position. In the DSLR category, Mr. Kuntal Paul stood in the first position and Mr. Satya Prakash was the runners up. The Peoples’ Choice award went to Mr. Amrit Rastogi. KIIT Deemed to be University congratulates all the winners & the participants and wishes them best of luck for ahead.

This event would have not been possible without the inspiration and support of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS. At the outset, Prof. Khatua expressed his satisfaction and gratitude to the convener, Mr. Susanta Bahinipati, Festival Coordinators – Mr. Ajaya Kumar Mishra & Mr. Ganeswara Mohapatra, Mr Rajanikanta Baral, AO, Audio Visual Cell and the Student Coordinators who worked day and night to make this festival happen.