SSCAFF continues to do its bit to promote multiculturalism via the arts
Indigenous, Indian and cross-cultural content came together at last month’s Satrangi 7 Colors Arts & Film Festival (SSCAFF) held in the City of Melbourne, Monash and Hume City Councils.
Twelve cross-cultural film makers screened their movies at the event, while recognising their cast and crew, motivating them to promote the social, cultural and economic benefits of cultural diversity.
The event also saw film professionals, eminent speakers and dignitaries converge on one common platform to share their love for and thoughts about the Australian film and arts industry.
The Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Chairperson Helen Kapalos – a media personality herself, presented a keynote speech sharing her career experiences spanning multiple roles in Australian television and film industry. Helen outlined ways for film and TV producers to successfully circumnavigate challenges on their journey.
A panel discussion moderated by Molina Asthana discussions saw actor Cory Corbett and film director Rhiannon Wilson talk about Indigenous representation in Australian films. It was highlighted that Indigenous community involvement in popular culture was limited and largely stereotypical in nature. There is a need for greater participations and a lot that desired to be done in this space.
Ritesh Chugh chaired a panel talk on the presence of Indian cinema and multicultural content in Australian projects, with VMC Youth Commissioner Tina Hosseini, Helen Kapalos, actor Preeti Daga, Nalin Sharda, Vikrant Kishore and SSCAFF Festival Director Nawal (Noel) Moudgil himself an experienced and respected cultural powerhouse. The session focussed on how Australia can strengthen film and cultural ties worldwide, encouraging diverse multicultural contents through its film productions.
On closing day Federal Member for Bruce MP Julian Hill and VMC Commissioner Chidambaram Srinivasan inaugurated a cultural showcase dominated by music, dance, fashion parade. A total of 150 performers from Greece, Chinese, Burmese, Srilanka, American Tribals, Punjabi, Rajasthani, France, Indonesian, Malaya, Japanese and other diverse cultures entertained the audience.
Select community artists and filmmakers were felicitated this year with the Yash Chopra SSCAFF Award. The Late Margaret Dhillon and Mohinder Dhillon of the Nataraj Cultural Centre, French performer Babushka Ferenczi, music teacher Deepika Shome, media man Vikrant Kishore and film personality Tania Zaetta.