SamaBhav International Travelling Film Festival on Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Gender-based Discrimination and Violence is, currently, a critical human rights and public health issue in India.

Men, often become violent, aggressive, and uncaring due to patriarchal modes of socialization that moulds their psyche. Images of masculinity in society are linked to being strong and violent, and to notions that men with ‘power’ are ‘real men’. The situation necessitates efforts that address how men can analyze perceptions of masculinity and create appropriate alternatives.

There is a woeful dearth of safe platforms to talk about problems that give rise to violent behaviour, including those relating to issues of gender and sexuality. There is also an equal need for positive role models among men, who assert a gender-sensitive society and can engage more young men and boys in the discourse. Thus, to address the root cause of the problem, focused efforts promoting men’s involvement (simultaneously with women’s empowerment) are required at various levels. Men have to be involved not as supporters (or do-gooders) but as ‘partners’ and ‘stakeholders.’ And they would be seriously involved only if they are convinced that the problem affects them equally, that it is a problem of all the genders.

In an attempt to engage young people, MAVA has been organizing SamaBhav - a 2-days travelling film festival for the past 6 years across India (select cities and rural districts) and beyond. The films, showcased at this non-ticketed film festival are national and international short, feature and documentary films covering a range of gender themes – gender-based discrimination and violence against women and non-binary individuals, challenging toxic Masculinity. Facilitated discussions with the gathered participants by local gender rights activists, academicians and film-makers are organized post-screenings at all venues. Young men, women and non-binary individuals will express and interact freely on topics that are often a taboo in our society. These safe spaces make this Film Festival a ground-breaking initiative that addresses a huge gap in the prevailing regressive situation in India.

Samabhav has been promoting strong collaborations and teamwork with representatives of Student Bodies, Universities and Colleges, Gender Rights Activists and Filmmakers across India. The target group of the film festival is student youth of 18 to 25 years, some of whom are also part of civil society organizations working on human rights and gender-based issues. MAVA would be organizing the 5th edition of SamaBhav in 13 cities and 3 rural districts across India, from February to August 2023 with collaboration of local educational institutions and civil society organizations. Outside India too we plan to take the film festival to Jakarta (Indonesia) and Thimphu (Bhutan) with the collaboration of international support organizations and universities.

Festival Collaborators & Associates

North India -

• Kashmir University Deptt of  Mass Media , Kashmir            
• Deendayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University and Medha, Gorakhpur     

North East -

• Indian Institute of Technology IIT Guwahati, Assam                     
• Alder College, Kohima, Nagaland                

  West India -

•  K E S Shroff College, Mumbai                                      
• Capgemini, Navi Mumbai and Pune                   
• Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, Pune            
• Ahmedabad University          

    East India -

• Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur, Chhatisgarh             

South India -

•  Jain University, Bengaluru                     
• Madras School of Social Work & SStraight Circles Foundation, Chennai          
• Sacred Heart College, Kochi                                                   

Institutions in Districts of Maharashtra State – 

• Sindhudurg Yashwantrao Bhonsale Education Society’s Bhonsale Knowledge City Niramay Vikas Kendra Kolgaon, Sawantwadi, Sindhudurg                        
• Shardabai Pawar Girls Arts, Commerce and Sciences College, Baramati       
• Dept. of Lifelong Learning and Extension, Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon
• Mandeshi Champions, Maan Taluka, Satara District                

Institutions in South Asian and South East Asian Cities Outside India -

• RENEW – Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women, Bhutan
• Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta and Magdalene, Jakarta 

Through the 5th edition of this unique travelling international film festival, we would be promoting messages on gender sensitivity, equity, inclusion and empathy reaching out to over 8000 youth pan India through film screenings and post-screening stimulated discussions.

We believe that men are not genetically wired to be dominating and aggressive, but are socially conditioned to be so. Our work, like that of several emerging men’s groups all over the world, shows that men are capable of becoming sensitive human beings and can help prevent and stop gender-based discrimination and violence against women. The film festival will stir vital conversations around gender among a sizable youth population and advocate for a gender-equal, violence-free, pluralistic and inclusive society for All.