Tamil short film for Cannes world premier

A 13-minute short film titled 'Idukkan' made by a civil engineer, Hariharan Viswanathan, has been selected for a world premier at the short film corner section of the Cannes film festival to be held from May 16 to 27. Among the selected entries from India 'Idukkan' is the only Tamil short film which analyses the contrasting psyche of two men, one a beggar and the other a coconut merchant with no business sense.

The film has also entered the competition section of Leiden International Short Film Experience (LisFE) to be held in the Netherlands.

Tamil short film production has received a shot in the arm with the success of Balaji Mohan's 'Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi' (KSY) made for a TV channel, was made into a full-length feature film featuring Siddharth and Amala Paul. Now Hariharan's 'Idukkan' will further boost the confidence of short filmmakers.

Assistant directors, film students and even film lovers aspire to make short films to prove their talent. Video sharing on the Internet has come as a boon to short film makers and of late there has been an 'explosion' of their works online. For instance, more than 7000 persons have viewed a short film 'Anbendra Mazhayile' made by an engineering student of Pondicherry.

According to Hariharan who visited Cannes to attend the last film festival to gain first hand experience, says films of one to 15-minute duration is preferred. More than 4000 film fests are held throughout the year, most of them in US. Sending films to fests is very easy. Not all stipulate an entry fee. The sender has to bear only the courier charges. Several associations are there to help.

A short film can be made with a budget ranging from Rs. 800 to Rs.4 lakh. A freelance editor-turned-director Krishna Kanth spent Rs.3.5 lakh on producing a 45-minute demo film, 'Hi Pooja I am Krishnan' with TV stars and those working with top technicians in the industry. If he finds a producer, he will develop it as a feature film.

Hariharan too has set his eyes on the big screen."Idukkan should serve as my portfolio. Cinema is my career and I've got my goal clear," he says.