Aspiring filmmaker shines in Conflix film night

Aspiring filmmaker shines in Conflix film night;

Gets the David Brown Awards

ITANAGAR, APRIL 20: Khanseng Mein, the 27 years old aspiring filmmaker has carved a niche for himself in the international arena of Cinema by directing a short film “The Bet” which bagged him the second place honour of David Brown Awards during the Conflix film night at Silver City, Ontario (Canada) on April 16 last.

His film was selected out of the 29 short films reviewed by the North of Superior Film Association (NOSFA) panel. Aside from his cash awards, the young director also received a short critique in a congratulatory letter presented by NOSFA President Marty Mascarin. The judging panel used criteria centering on direction, cinematography, editing, lighting, and sound in their assessment.

A graduate from the class of the Confederation College Film Production department, Ontario (Canada), Khanseng Mein is the youngest son of Minister Agriculture, Horticulture, etc Chouna Mein and Sati Mein. Khanseng believes that progress isn't made by early risers or hard workers, but by lazy people trying to find easier ways to do the same.

“You are living up to your dream, we are proud of you” remarked his proud father showering his congratulatory note to his son.

The short film of Khanseng Mein "The Bet" is based on a short story by Anton Chekhov, and centers on a wager between two men whereby one man agrees to live alone in an isolated cabin for ten years to prove that solitary confinement is more humane than capital punishment.

With Khanseng Mein others who shared the dais were Jorge Victoria who received the first place award and Aneesh Shivanekar who took the third place award. Jorge Victoria received the first prize award for “Olena,” a drama about a young immigrant woman desperately trying to raise funds to pay for her brother's release from prison back in the Ukraine whereas Aneesh Shivanekar "6 x 6," a suspense tale set in World War II about photographer trailing an SS officer as he hunts his fleeing female prisoner in the woods got him the third prize award. 

The awards are named in honour of NOSFA’s vice-president, David Brown, who passed away from cancer in 2008. The award ceremony to honour the graduating aspiring filmmaker marked the 20th year that NOSFA has issued the David Brown awards to graduates of the College’s film production program.

Photo Caption:

1.    Khanseng in action: amazing behind the scenes shot from Isabel Tolentino's film project. 

2.    Khanseng Mein with his friends Jacob Lutvak, Eugene K. Kwati, and Tharun Reddy

3.    Khanseng with his gear.

Revelers celebrates Sangken across State with traditional fervor and gaiety ITANAGAR, April 16: The Sangken Festival popularly known as the Water Festival which commenced from April 14 at 04:31:15 PM all across the state particularly Namsai and Changlang District ended today at 08:35:57 PM with shifting of images of beloved Buddha from makeshift temple to main monastery today. The festival has transitioned into 3 days of water play fun, splashing and drenching locals and visitors alike with buckets of water. At Itanagar, the Theravada Buddhist community joining with the rest of state celebrated the splashy and popular Sangken Festival with great religious fervor and enthusiasm for complete three days. Chief Minister Nabam Tuki accompanied by Minister Agriculture, Horticulture etc Chowna Mein graced the inaugural day of Sangken on April 14 and participated in Saun Fra (pouring of scented water on images of beloved Buddha) ceremony here at Theravada Buddha Vihara, Itanagar. Among others who also attended the functions included Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Shri Gautam Mukhopadhaya,Advocate General of Arunachal Pradesh Ranji Thomasand President APCC Padi Richo. Showering his warmest wishes to the Theravada Buddhist Community, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said that every community irrespective of their tribe and religion should celebrate Sangken festival so that communal harmony widens. Buddhism is a symbol of peace and harmony. Let this Sangken be one of peace, security, prosperity and national harmony for all the diverse people of State, he added. Sangken is a special occasion for celebration, prayer and reflection said Chowna Mein participating in the festive occasion here. The head monk of Theravada Buddha Vihara, Venerable Ratnadeepa along with Buddhist scholar Aryadhamma chanted prayer for peace and harmony and wellbeing of the humankind. Earlier, the Chairman of Theravada Buddhist Society (TBS) C.M.Longphong delivering his welcome speech spoke on the significance of celebration of Sangken Festival. Vice Chairman TBS, Dr S. Enling read out the three-point memorandum of the society before presenting and submitting it over to Chief Minster Nabam Tuki for his benevolence. Later, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki accompanied by other dignitaries joined in the most enjoyable and merry making part of the festival with the revelers sprinkling and pouring scented water onto each other before departure from the Temple. Other highlights of the festival included pouring of scented water on Bodhi Tree, Lik (scriptures of Tripitika), on the hands of monks and also on the hand and feet of the elderly people to invoke their blessing. The festival of Sangken was also celebrated in other important places of Phaneng, Empong, Kongmu Kham (Golden Pagoda) at Noi-Chenam (Tengapani) under Chongkham Circle, Lathao International Bana Meditation Centre, Lathao as well as in Chongkham and Namsai Buddha Vihara whereMLA Chongkham Chow Tewa Mein, MLA Namsai Chow Zignu Namchoom and former MLA Namsai Chow Pingtika Namchoom accompanied by their family members participated and joined along with revelers splashing water onto each other on their respective places. The festival was also celebrated at Tezu Buddha Chetna Vihara where people from other tribe and religion participated. Sangken was also celebrated in Changlang District in a grand manner. Sangken at Kongmu Kham (Golden Pagoda) at Noi-Chenam (Tengapani) was special as delegates from Thailand participating in the festival said that the celebration of Sangken here in India is very different from the way it is celebrated in Songkran at Thailand. The festival was also celebrated at Kalioni in Assam where former Minister C.C.Singpho participated along with his family members. Sangken is generally celebrated to invoke the blessing of the Buddha for peace, harmony, good fortune, good health and protection from the evil influence of Chow Khunkiew- the god of misfortune, misery and disease. The festival also signifies the change of season or the movement of the earth. TBS celebrated Poi Sangken in grand manner With the end of popular Sangken Festival of Theravada Buddhist communities on April 16, the ceremony of Poi-Sangken was held here at Theravada Buddha Vihara Itanagar on April 19 last. Poi Sangken is a valedictory function organized after the successful conduct of 3 day affairs of Sangken and is decided by the Theravada members when to hold it in their respective places of worship on the last day of Sangken. It is an occasion for joy, happiness and self satisfaction for every member of the Theravada Buddhist communities. The joyous festivity of Sangken ends with shifting of images of beloved Buddha from makeshift temple to main monastery in all different places of state especially in Namsai & Changlang District at a particular time and interval mentioned as per Sangken Cha which is the Astrological Sangken Calender of the Theravada Buddhist communities written in Tai Khampti Script. This year’s Sangken Cha in Tai Khampti script was prepared by Venerable Pingyasiha Mahathero, Chief Monk of Chongkham Buddha Vihara. The Poi-Sangken in Itanagar was held in a grand manner. The Head Monk of Theravada Buddha Vihara Venerable Ratnadeepa along with Buddhist Scholar Aryadhamma chanted and offered prayer for good luck, happy life, peace, prosperity and good health for every living being. People from all walks of life participated in the Poi Sangken ceremony. The ceremony ended with arrangement of community feast for its members besides splashing and drenching each other with scented water.