SamaBhav Film Festival Arrives in Pune to Provoke Essential Conversations on Gender
The city of Pune is set to host the SamaBhav International Travelling Film Festival this weekend, an event dedicated to using the power of cinema to interrogate and challenge deeply entrenched societal ideas surrounding gender, masculinity, and sexuality. The festival is meticulously curated to spark uncomfortable yet critically necessary dialogues, serving as a potent catalyst for reflection, dialogue, and societal change.
A Collaborative Effort for Social Justice
Organized by the Mumbai-based non-profit Men Against Violence and Abuse (MAVA), the festival is being held in collaboration with two key departments from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU): the Department of Media and Communication Studies and the Department of Women and Gender Studies. Adding significant international weight, UNESCO stands as the festival's solidarity partner. MAVA brings over three decades of experience in engaging men and boys to actively address and prevent gender-based violence.
A Cinematic Exploration of Gender Spectrum
Harish Sadani, the executive director of MAVA, emphasized the festival's mission. "The event brings together 18 national and international short films, documentaries, and feature films that explore a wide spectrum of gender experiences," he stated. The carefully selected film lineup confronts pressing issues head-on, including violence against women, transphobia, the perils of toxic masculinity, and the urgent need to dismantle rigid, binary gender roles.
The festival's roster features notable works such as ‘Call Me Dancer’, ‘Bas Ab Bahut Ho Gaya’, ‘Project Priyo’, ‘Gaali Kothon’, ‘Kuzhantha’, and ‘Night Queen’. It will also showcase ‘Plural Plus’ films originating from Spain and Jordan. A highlight of this edition will be a special screening of ‘All We Imagine as Light’, the acclaimed film that won the Grand Prix at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Fostering Dialogue and Inclusivity
A defining and unique characteristic of the SamaBhav festival is its profound emphasis on fostering open, post-screening conversations. These discussions will feature a diverse panel of women's rights activists, gender rights campaigners, filmmakers, writers, and academics. This structure is designed to create a safe and engaging space for students and young audiences to directly interact with complex questions surrounding identity, power dynamics, and social inclusion.
"The festival is designed as a non-threatening platform," Sadani explained. "It aims to encourage dialogue, acknowledge differences, and celebrate diversity across all genders — while consistently advocating for a more equitable and pluralistic society."
The SamaBhav International Travelling Film Festival will be held on February 7th and 8th at the Sant Namdev Sabhagruha, located within the Lalit Kala Kendra on the SPPU campus. This event promises to be a significant cultural and intellectual moment for Pune, leveraging the art of film to push the boundaries of social understanding.
