Bring Your Own Film Festival (BYOFF) is an annual event held during February 21st to 25th every year on Puri beach.
Puri is a famous heritage and temple town in Orissa, Eastern India.
BYOFF is not just a film festival it's a community where not only filmmakers but also artists from other disciplines like music, theatre, painting, sculpture, dance, literature and photography are encouraged to participate and show their work.
It's an informal gathering of artists with films in backdrop.For filmmakers, it has been an alternative platform ever since its first edition in the year 2004.
The idea is to have a festival away from the oppressive atmosphere of bureaucratic control of big cities and where just about anybody - with or without films - could participate.
The participants of BYOFF themselves are the volunteers and the organizers of its future editions.
And the mood of the festival is that of a no holds barred carnival where the sea and its sand provide the right ambience to lift the spirits of every one present.
Film screenings go on early into the morning hours- first, inside make-shift tents and then in the open air after sun down.
This years BYOFF is starting from Sunday, Feb 21, 2011 and ends Thursday, Feb 25, 2011.
The Pink House premises on the beach of the Bay of Bengal will be the venue of the festival, One of the hotel closest to the beach with sand drifting to your front door, the Pink House and its outdoor restaurant looks the part. Nice restaurant with beach sand floors, a fireplace outside, lively atmosphere and very fresh seafood. Live music on special occasions. A very good vibe and a favorite with tourists who come to relax away from crowds.
All I can say is this is the best platform for young and talented filmmakers and artists to show their work and get the best feedback possible.Its uniqueness lies in the fact that there is no formal screening or qualifying process, but rather it is a forum for independent filmmakers. Anyone can just walk-in, register, and exhibit his work.
10 comments so far. What are your thoughts?
I like the idea of this kind of film festival..encourages the young talent..nice post
What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.
Joseph Addison
You are great..I wish to see you go places...you know you are special..and someone like you deserves the best.
Thanks and Welcome to The Invisible Art Sulekha :D
@Alpana Thanks for the wishes and encouragement dear :D
Abhishek - love the idea - didn't even know about this - Informative - thank you!
Thanks Kriti......It's the best festival for young talent :D
wow you should learn many things from participating in this such great events. Did you?
Yes Aznzar one definitely learns many things from such events....and not to mention meeting such great talented people is more important than anything. ;)
This sounds REALLY COOL! I've always thought that art festivals rule! I hope to make it there someday. I just need more time & money for travel and play. :)
Rhyme Me a Smile
Yes Rachel....Art festivals are the coolest of all......It's a different world where creativity rules. ☺