O fortunate youth, recognize this great duty. Feel this wonderful privilege. Take up this adventure. I wish you to be great. The world has put its faith in you. Your elders keep their hopes in you. Now youth means to place your firm confidence in yourself and exercise your hopeful determination and resolution and willing good intentions in this beautiful task of self-culture. This will truly bring supreme satisfaction and fulfillment not only to you, but also to all concerned. The shaping of your life is indeed in your own hands. – Swami Vivekananda

The youth today is more urbanized and better educated and constitute the most creative and vibrant segment of the society. They can become a driving force of development, provided their strength is directed in a constructive way. Unfortunately not all youth, get good education and skill development and live in a better environment that facilitates self-growth. Educated youth, can really transform the society. But how far the education today serves the purpose of making a citizen a dignified person is a million dollar question. The world has come under one roof and the technological advancement no doubt has widened the knowledge of today’s youth. But this access to knowledge and information is still not within the reach of all youth, especially in the developing countries. The formal education system which can provide ‘quality education’ is a distant dream for the youth from poor households. The education, knowledge and skills that the youth acquire should transform them into a change agent who can contribute to build a better society. Considering the indispensable role of the youth in building a better world for the present and future, the ninth edition of Development Film Festival focuses on the theme “Youth for Change”

Madurai Symposium 2013 as a Platform

Madurai Symposium since its inception in 2003 has emerged as development knowledge place where various stakeholders’ people/community institutions, civil societies, Government, NGOs, Banks, donors, philanthropies and academia share, learn from each other’s experience and practices and looks at opportunities for collaborative endeavors. The Symposium attracts over 15,000 participants and the one being organized in 2015 is the seventh edition. The theme of the Symposium – 2015 is ‘Localizing Sustainable Development Goals’. Embracing the theme of Sustainable Development, the 10th edition of the Festival focuses on showcasing the productions of film makers from all over the world made on the themes relevant to any of the following areas of Sustainable Development. In addition to this assured audience, the Festival will also be attended by the general public including students from schools and colleges. Read more about the Symposium at www.maduraisymposium.net

Objective of the Festival

• To provide a platform for filmmakers, professionals, students and youths to exhibit their creative skills in film making.
• To recognize the efforts of film makers through selection for screening, special screening and awards
• To create awareness on the issues and possible solutions related to Youth and Education by creating opportunities to view a wide range of films made on the relevant themes
• To involve youth in debate and meaningful action around the issues affecting their development.