Lucknow: The opening day of the sixth edition of the Lucknow Short Film Festival (LSFF), organized by the Amren Foundation in collaboration with Uttar Pradesh Tourism, set a vibrant tone for two days of cinematic celebration under the theme “Peace and Harmony.”
Held at the UP Sangeet Natak Academy, Gomti Nagar, the festival drew audiences across all age groups. Featuring short films made by FTII students and independent creators, the event provided a rare glimpse into India’s most refreshing cinematic voices. Out of hundreds of national and international entries, 20 films in Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, and English were selected for screening, highlighting the diversity and creative pulse of independent Indian cinema.
The films explored socially relevant themes — from animal welfare, mental health, and child labour to environmental coexistence, prejudice, and human compassion — urging audiences to reflect on unity amid divisions.
The festival was inaugurated by former MP from Prayagraj Dr. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, FTII Pune Vice-Chancellor Dheeraj Singh, Emren Foundation Founder Renuka Tandon, and FTII’s Head of Strategy and Innovation Santosh Ojha.
Dr. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, in her address, praised the festival’s role in empowering both artists and women. “Emren Foundation is creating a meaningful platform for the artists and women entrepreneurs of Uttar Pradesh, helping them gain financial independence while preserving their creative freedom,” she said. “Such initiatives not only inspire but also reflect the changing face of India. Filmmaking, like politics and society, mirrors real life — full of subtle nuances that deeply move us.”
FTII Vice-Chancellor Dheeraj Singh appreciated Lucknow’s growing engagement with cinema, calling short films “the purest form of cinematic expression, free from commercial pressure.” He added, “Uttar Pradesh has the potential to become a true hub for Indian cinema, and festivals like this nurture the next generation of storytellers.”
Renuka Tandon, founder of Amren Foundation, welcomed the gathering with an inspiring message. “The Lucknow Short Film Festival has always been about the intersection of compassion and creativity,” she said. “Cinema is not just entertainment — it is empathy in motion. We believe that stories can heal, connect, and remind us of our shared humanity.”
Festival Director Gaurav Dwivedi called LSFF “a matter of pride for every Lucknowite,” noting that “the festival brings some of the finest untold stories from across the globe that aren’t available on public platforms.”
Richa Vaishya, Vice President of Amren Foundation, said, “It was heartwarming to see audiences connect so deeply with every film. Lucknow’s love for cinema was visible throughout the event.”
A special highlight of the day was the screening of “Skilling Initiators”, an Emren Foundation production showcasing the transformative work of Daksh Peeth, which empowers women across rural Uttar Pradesh through workshops, awareness drives, and livelihood initiatives.
Another special segment, presented by Uttar Pradesh Tourism, celebrated the state’s cultural unity and shared heritage, weaving together stories of art, music, and tradition that bind communities across the region.
The festival also paid a moving tribute to cinematic legends Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt through a beautifully crafted short montage produced by the Emren Foundation, reminding audiences of cinema’s timeless power to mirror and influence society.
Actress and author Renita Kapoor graced the festival with the launch of her deeply personal book “Ruhani Ke Purane Khat”, a collection of heartfelt letters blending spirituality and emotion. Sharing glimpses of her writing journey, she said the book was born out of introspection and the desire to connect hearts through words.
The evening concluded with a mesmerizing storytelling performance by Laksya Maheshwari, whose piece “The Tale of Four Helpers” offered a poetic tribute to the unseen crew behind the camera — grips, light technicians, and production hands — whose efforts bring stories to life. Blending humour, vulnerability, and spoken-word poetry, Maheshwari’s performance received a standing ovation for capturing the collaborative soul of cinema.
Notable attendees included Richa Vaishya, Ambrish Tandon, Anushka Dalmia, Dev Verma, Vipul V. Gaur, Usha and Deepak Vishwakarma of the Red Brigade, Rhea Agarwal, Vibhu Kaushik, Vandana Agarwal, Rachna Tandon, Vibha Agarwal, Shreya Ranjan, and Nitish Garg.
