The first Young Filmmakers Festival held in Toronto recently brought more than applause and appreciation to young Anshul Khosla, a class IV student of Mumbai’s St. Dominic Savio School. This articulate nine-year-old won the Best Script award for his docu-drama Love Changes Everything, which was screened at the inaugural Young Filmmakers Festival. Anshul did a lot more than just pen the script. He produced, directed and acted in the 16-minute film, the only entry from India in a competition that drew over 50 entries from Canada, the US, Australia and Ireland.

An academic topper, Anshul based the film on real-life stories of street children, some of whom live in Shelter Don Bosco, a centre for homeless children run by priests of the Salesian congregation. He first visited the shelter on a school-sponsored social awareness programme in December last year. “I was very moved and inspired by the stories of challenge, survival and hope which the street children in the shelter recounted. I wanted to tell their stories of constant struggle for survival to the public. I believe love and hope can change lives and decided to make it the theme of my documentary,” says Anshul.

The young scriptwriter and filmmaker who loves reading, swimming and singing acknowledges the support he received from his school teachers, Fr. Joaquim Fernandes and Nelson Fernandes, who helped with the scripting and editing. Special support came from home as well, with dad Lakhnesh, a general manager at Centaur Pharmaceuticals sponsoring the production and mom Soumya chipping in with the post-production work.

Anshul’s maiden docu-drama was widely acclaimed by film critics and jury members at the festival. “It was very difficult for the judges to select winners because the quality of entries was excellent. But we were unanimous in our praise for Love Changes Everything. Anshul’s film was adjudged the best because he has examined the socio-economic reasons behind children fleeing to shelters, how they overcome conflict and obstacles and what keeps them going. It’s an impressive debut effort,” says Vince De Marinis, director of the Young Filmmakers Festival.

Definitive and exceptional praise for a nine-year-old who wants to be a film-maker with a difference.

Ronita Torcato (Mumbai)

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