Bengaluru, 18th September, 2026: Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), one of the top-ranked private universities in India, organised “Cinemates 4.0”, held as part of National Cinema Day, celebrating creativity and storytelling, capturing the essence of Indian Cinema. Cinemates 4.0 featured Bengaluru Srinidhi, writer, director and filmmaker, who offered valuable insights on the art and craft of filmmaking. The highlight of Cinemates 4.0 was the inter-collegiate 48-hour short film making challenge. Participants from across the country submitted short films based on the theme Samaya (time) under the categories of ‘student’ and ‘professional’.
Addressing the gathering, the guest of honour, Mr. Srinidhi Bengaluru, writer, director and Kannada filmmaker known for his movies ‘Blink’, ‘Jerax’ and ‘Video’ enthused the aspiring young filmmakers stating, “A film may begin with a script, but the process of filmmaking gives the story, a life of it’s own.” Further emphasizing on the importance of participation in challenges like Cinemates 4.0, he expressed “The real achievement is not always winning; it is having the courage to participate and put your work out there. Whether it’s a 48-hour filmmaking challenge or a feature film, the process will test you, but creating a film remains the best job in the world.”
Dr. Shraddha Kanwar, Chief Academic Officer, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), commended “The 48-hour short film making challenge is a celebration of human creativity, where imagination, emotion and storytelling come together under extraordinary constraints.” She further emphasised, “Technology may enable filmmaking, but human imagination remains the most powerful force behind cinema.”
Dr Bhargavi D Hemmige, HOD, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) applauded the participants and stated, “the participants battled corrupted memory cards, lost voices, unexpected background noise, and sleep deprivation and yet they did not quit. That grit is the true magic of cinema.” Further she added, “Constraints don’t limit creativity; they spark it. Inspired by films like Swayamwara, which was shot in less than 24 hours and Vishwaguru, created under 51 hours, which holds a Guinness World Record for being produced as a full-fledged feature film. Exactly 48 hours ago, our participants began with a blank page, a few prompts, and a ticking clock. Today, they stand as young filmmakers, having created a short film in 48 hours, what often takes months or even years by experts.”
More than 25 teams across India participated in Cinemates 4.0, with 11 teams being shortlisted by the jury. The prelude for Cinemates 4.0 featured a Five-day workshop with sessions led by Aadarsh Eshwarappa, Director, Writer and Actor on 7th and 8th September, 2026 followed by sessions conducted by Chandra Keerthi, a Kannada theatre practitioner from 9th to 11th September, offering students’ practical insights into screenwriting, storytelling, theatre, and visual expression. As part of National Cinema Day, Cinemates 4.0 brought together movie enthusiasts and aspiring filmmakers for an engaging celebration of cinema, creativity, culture, and ideas. The programme will also feature “Mise-en-Scène” an intra-collegiate exhibition exploring the creative diversity of Indian cinema through themes such as horror, sci-fi, comedy, romance, thriller, and biopic on 22nd September, 2026.