The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Government College for Women, M.A. Road, Srinagar, organized a one-day Documentary Screening-cum-Discussion event in collaboration with Film South Asia (FSA) on 29th October 2025.
The event featured screenings of critically acclaimed documentaries and interactive sessions with experts focusing on the influence of documentary films in shaping public opinion and driving social transformation.
The programme began with an introductory session, which included a short video titled “Glimpses from 2023 Film Fest” revisiting highlights from the department’s previous collaboration with FSA.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Mitu Varma, Director of Film South Asia (FSA), introduced the organization and its vision. She emphasized the vital role of documentary films in informing, entertaining, and transforming lives across the globe.
“FSA conducts screenings, discussions, and workshops throughout South Asia to promote regional non-fiction cinema and connect it with international audiences,” she said.
“We believe that documentary films are a powerful medium that not only represent our region internationally but also serve as an instrument of social awareness, introspection, and change,” Ms. Varma added.
In her address, Principal of the college, Prof. (Dr.) Yasmeen Farooq appreciated the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication for partnering with Film South Asia.
“It is through such efforts that learning extends beyond the classroom, inspiring students to think critically and creatively. This collaboration not only provides our students an opportunity to engage with meaningful cinema but also connects them with filmmakers who use their craft as an instrument of social awareness and change,” she said.
Referring to the unique genre of documentary filmmaking, Prof. Yasmeen Farooq said, “In an age of fleeting images and quick narratives, documentaries remind us of the importance of patience, depth, and authenticity.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, Head, Department of Journalism, Dr. Suhail Ahmad referred to the department’s previous collaboration with Film South Asia in 2023, which featured documentary screenings, interactive sessions, a workshop, and an exhibition.
“Film is a powerful medium, and the documentary genre, in particular, plays a crucial role in capturing reality and representing real people, places, events, and issues. Beyond informing and educating audiences, documentaries also serve to document history, preserving memories of important events and experiences. This event offers a wonderful opportunity for students to explore unique storytelling techniques and the creative possibilities within the documentary form,” Dr. Suhail said.
He also expressed gratitude to the Principal for her constant support of the department’s initiatives.
The forenoon session featured the screening of the documentaries “When Pomegranates Turn Grey” and “6A – Akash Ganga”. The afternoon session began with the screening of “Trans Kashmir”, a documentary directed by Mr. Akmal Hanan and Ms. Surabhi Dewan.
Following the screening, Mr. Akmal Hanan, who works as a producer at EMRC, University of Kashmir, shared the experiences behind the making of the documentary. He offered a glimpse into the resilience of the trans gender community of Kashmir as they pursue their struggle to secure basic human rights.
In a joint interaction session moderated by Dr. Suhail, the two guest speakers- Ms. Varma and Mr. Hanan- answered a range of questions from the audience including the relevance of documentaries in engaging audiences in the age of short-form content and social media, the documentary filmmaking approaches, relationship between journalism and documentary storytelling, role of documentaries in preserving history and amplifying marginalized voices and the role of documentaries in bringing about social change.
The experts shared insights on the evolving landscape of documentary production, emerging opportunities for filmmakers, and the importance of socially relevant storytelling. Students actively participated in the question-and-answer session.
Ms. Sadaf Bushra, Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism, presented the vote of thanks. Ms. Midhat Zia, student of integrated PG programme, moderated the proceedings of the programme.
