The Film Gala 2025, organised by the CineMates Club of SRM AP, was inaugurated with a formal ceremony that marked a prestigious two-day celebration dedicated to the art of cinema, narrative excellence, and creative expression. This distinguished event established a professional forum for filmmakers, artists, and cinema enthusiasts from across the nation to participate in intellectual discourse, competitive showcases, and cultural exhibitions.
The ceremony was honoured by the presence of Mrs Tejaswi Podapati Macharapu, Chairperson of the AP State Creativity and Culture Commission, Government of Andhra Pradesh, who served as the Chief Guest. She was accompanied by Mr Sujith Kalluri, Chief Club Advisors, distinguished faculty members, Founders and Alumni of CineMates, and official representatives from the organising committee.
The keynote address by Chief Guest Mrs Tejaswi Podapati Macharapu constituted the ceremony’s centrepiece. She delivered a comprehensive discourse on cinema’s transformative role in contemporary society. Drawing from her academic experiences, she emphasised the importance of integrating creative pursuits with scholastic endeavours. Mrs Tejaswi noted that India maintains its position as the world’s foremost film-producing nation, with an annual output exceeding 2,000 cinematic productions, thereby presenting substantial opportunities for aspiring filmmakers. She further emphasised that students from diverse academic disciplines, including engineering, possess the analytical acumen and creative capabilities necessary for success in the film industry.
To reinforce her message, Mrs Tejaswi referenced distinguished individuals from various professional domains, including politics, athletics, and the arts, underscoring how perseverance and passion are fundamental elements of professional achievement. She concluded her address by expressing admiration for the Film Gala’s established legacy and commended SRM AP for its institutional commitment to advancing artistic initiatives.
The ceremony featured classical dance performances by Ms. Preeti and Ms. Deepthi, who demonstrated the artistic interpretation of narrative through choreographed movement, exemplifying the intersection of traditional cultural expression and contemporary storytelling techniques.
A significant component of the inauguration was the formal announcement of the 24-Hour Filmmaking and Editing Challenges. The Visual Chase competition specified that participants create a two-minute video exploring the theme “Nature Speaks to Me,” while the Classic Cut competition challenged contestants to produce a trailer for the film ‘Kalki 2898 A.D.,’ with a maximum duration of 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
The inaugural ceremony concluded with a comprehensive presentation of the day’s scheduled activities, including curated short film screenings, a poetry recitation session, and an evening film presentation. The enthusiastic participation from attendees signified the successful launch of Film Gala 2025, establishing an auspicious foundation for what promised to be an intellectually stimulating and culturally enriching festival.
The event received generous sponsorship from esteemed organisations including Sastri Balm, AWEC Consultancy, IVY Overseas, ATHER, Vastrakala Shopping Mall, Picxy, Harivillu Promoters and Developers Pvt. Ltd., V1 Overseas Careers Pvt. Ltd., and GTR Solar Power. Their valued support facilitated the creation of a platform where emerging talents could demonstrate their artistic vision and technical expertise.
