Konkani film ‘Carlo’ won ‘Best Short Film Award’, ‘Best Line Producer’
Sandeep Kotecha (left) and Fr Leslie Rego (right) along with their awards at the Global Taj International Film Festival (GTIFF) in Agra.
PANAJI
Fr Leslie Rego, Parish Priest at St Joseph Church, Shiroda has bagged two awards for his short Konkani film ‘Carlo’ at the Global Taj International Film Festival (GTIFF) in Agra.
The film, based on the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis (15), a Catholic Italian teenager who died on October 12, 2006, in Italy and was beatified on October 10, 2020, was produced and directed by Fr Rego and it won the ‘Best Short Film Award’ and ‘Best Line Producer’ (Sandeep Kotecha)
“It was a thrilling experience to receive both awards. I am immensely proud of the film, a powerful and moving story of a young teenager that needed to be told,” said Fr Rego, who is pursuing his PhD in journalism and mass communication.
“I hope that this film will inspire youngsters to stand up for good moral values. We all have a responsibility to make the world a better place for everyone, and I hope this film will help people to realise that.”
Fr Rego has completed various courses in professional photography, journalism and mass communication, acting, radio jockey, personality development and theatre arts.
He has also written, directed and produced a feature film 'Bhavartachi Yatra' (Journey of Faith) in Konkani, a devotional film 'Mhojexim Yeyat' (Come to me) in Konkani, a Docu-Film 'Treasure Shattered!' in English and a short film 'Tumi Mhoje Govai!' (You are My Witness) in Konkani.
Over 100 entries were submitted from 10 countries for the GTIFF 2022, of which 21 films were selected from India.
“The journey of this short film was not an easy one, it had lots of ups and down. However at the end, everything went on smoothly. The film was made as a proclamation of faith, especially for today's youth and children, on how to use modern gadgets without becoming obsessed with them. Carlo is a perfect role model for them as he demonstrated how to use the internet and modern gadgets wisely,” said Fr Rego.
"We do appreciate the efforts put in by several people behind the screen and would like to thank them immensely. The tireless sacrifice put in by the entire team deserves a mention. May God bless them all," Father Rego said. "I feel proud that our efforts have been rewarded," he added.
Fr Rego was full of praise for his entire crew, for their tireless work in bringing the story to life.
The film crew included Dadadiraj Shirodar (editor & videographer), Sandeep Kotecha (line producer), Jose Pereira (recording and mastering the music), Nilesh Keni (videographer), Fr Benjamin Victoria, Elvis Mascarenhas, Cayden De Souza, Jose Pereira, Patricia D'Mello and Noywen (vocalists) and Sairah (make-up).
“The cast and the crew did a perfect role with patience and sacrifice. A special word of appreciation goes to Sanroy D'Souza, the star of the movie who played the main role of Carlo,” Fr Rego added.
