Tribal Kids in Kerala Create 102 Short Films
Nearly 3,000 tribal children in Kerala have turned into filmmakers and authors, creating 102 short movies and nine books for the Kanas Jaga festival.
Have you ever dreamed of writing your own book or directing your very own movie? On 24 October 2024 in Kochi, Kerala, thousands of young creators proved that childhood dreams can come alive on screen at the Kanas Jaga film festival.
Organised by Kerala’s Kudumbashree Mission, this pathbreaking initiative is India’s first-ever short film festival featuring works created entirely by children from indigenous and tribal communities. These young directors and writers have shown that fresh ideas and strong voices can reach people across the globe.
What happened?
The name “Kanas Jaga” comes from the Paniya dialect, and it translates to “Dream Place” or “Dream Land”. Ahead of the festival, Ernakulam District Collector N. S. K. Umesh inaugurated a vibrant cultural procession in Kochi, and the official theme song in the Paniya dialect was officially released to celebrate the occasion.
To turn these young creators into confident directors, nearly 3,000 children joined hands across roughly 100 learning batches. They received practical, hands-on training to write scripts, direct scenes, handle digital cameras, and record their own narratives. In total, the children produced 102 short films, each lasting between one and five minutes, mostly filmed with smartphones and digital cameras.
The films explore crucial topics that affect their everyday lives. The young directors focused on serious community issues, such as climate change, dry summer water shortages, and what it means to live peacefully alongside wildlife in dense forest areas. In addition to the movies, the children also prepared nine books featuring their original scripts, stories, and written narratives.
Storytellers from the Wayanad tribal areas of Thirunelli and Noolpuzha produced the highest number of movies with 35 short films. They were followed by talented children from Attappadi in Palakkad, who created 21 films. Other enthusiastic participants arrived from Nilambur in Malappuram, Kanthalloor and Marayoor in Idukki, Aralam in Kannur, and Kasaragod.
Dr. B. Sreejith, Kudumbashree programme officer for Social Inclusion and Social Development, explained that the mission used cinema as a creative educational tool to empower children to solve local problems. Official delegates from the United Nations and the Talent Book of World Records were also invited to attend the festival at St. Teresa’s College to witness the achievements of these young artists.
Why does it matter to you?
Sometimes we think making a movie requires massive Hollywood sets, expensive cameras, and years of film school. This festival proves that all you truly need is an important story to tell and the courage to share it.
Whether you hold a pen, a notebook, or a family smartphone, you also have the ability to observe your surroundings and talk about the environment. Just like these young directors, you can use your creativity to highlight local issues and inspire people in your neighbourhood to take positive action.
Words to know
- Dialect: a regional variety of a language spoken by a particular group of people.
- Indigenous: naturally belonging to or originating from a specific region or environment.
- Script: the written text of a play, film, or broadcast that provides dialogue and stage directions.
- Inaugurated: officially marked the start or opening of an event, project, or ceremony.
Did you know?
The festival title “Kanas Jaga” comes directly from the Paniya dialect spoken in Kerala and means “Dream Place” or “Dream Land”.
Think about it
If you were given a smartphone and five minutes to make a short film about your town or school, what local issue would you like to showcase?
How do stories written by children living close to forests help city dwellers understand the importance of nature?
Quick quiz
What does the phrase ‘Kanas Jaga’ mean in the Paniya dialect?
- Dream Place
- Green Forest
- Quiet River
See the answer
Dream Place
Sources
This story was prepared by the Kids Gazette news desk with the help of AI research and writing tools, using the sources listed above.
