Film Preservation & Restoration Workshop India 2024
On November 7, 2024, in Thiruvananthapuram (aka Trivandrum), Kerala, in India, was opened the ninth edition of the Film Preservation & Restoration Workshop India (FPRWI), organized by the Film Heritage Foundation, in association with the Federation of Film Archives (FIAF).
That evening, the weather was still hot and humid, but hundreds and hundreds of guests gathered for the official launch of an annual 7-day workshop solely dedicated to learn the art and craft of preserving and restoring film. 67 young students flew in from all over India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Asia, Europe and even Oceania to learn from some of the best experts in India, the USA and Europe (New York City MoMA, Criterion, London BFI, Bologna L’Immagine Ritrovata, Paris INA, Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé, Cinémathèque de Toulouse, and Lisbon Cinemateca Portuguesa).
A special video message from legends Amitabh Bachchan and Martin Scorsese was screened as an intoduction.
Film Heritage Foundation founder and director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur took the stage. The night was filled with joy and smiles as officials and special guests took turns giving a speech praising the relevance of such an event for film, art, history and the future, and the important contribution of Malayalam films in Indian cinema.
Moreover was announced the collaboration of FISCH : the France India Sri Lanka Cine Heritage, an international initiative launched by the Film Heritage Foundation, The French Embassy in India, the French Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and The French Institute.
The finale came when local Mayalayam legendary actress Sheela [ शीला ] in person received a special award, and a dance show closed the ceremony. Film historian S. Theodore Baskaran, director Saeed Akhtar Mirza and cinematographer and director Shaji N. Karun, FIAF Training and Outreach Coordinator David Walsh were in attendance as well.
Courses and workshops happen during day-time at the Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan Multi-Purpose Cultural Complex, and nights are dedicated to screenings of restored international classics directed by Ousmane Sembène, Sergei Parajanov, Buster Keaton, Jean-Pierre Melville, Federico Fellini and Shyam Benegal.
The next workshop will take place in November 2025.
