Kolkata, West Bengal, India:  A pioneer in the short film format in India, Seagram’s Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films presents Select Films, Select Conversations. The celebrated short film platform has always recognized and fostered a creative environment encouraging brilliance in short format film making. Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films over the years has won 6 Filmfare awards and Oscar qualifications which has made the platform the largest and most credible destination for short films in India. Through this interactive activation platform, the brand aims to foster a creative environment for artists in the industry in two unique and engaging formats with host Mandira Bedi.
 

• The On-Ground format: This live format travels to three hubs in India – Gurugram, Kolkata and Pune – bringing together some of the most dynamic and discerning film artistes from Indian cinema for an evening of engaging discussions, interactive conversations, and screenings of some of the select movies from the celebrated short film platform, Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films
• The On-Air format: A unique chat show concept spread across three episodes, where five prominent voices from the film industry – Jim Sarbh, Vijay Varma, Kalki Koechlin, Huma Qureshi and Sujoy Ghosh – discuss all things cinema with host Mandira Bedi. The On-air Episodes will be launched with the brand’s streaming partners, Jio Cinema
   

After the successful kick off of the on-ground leg in Gurugram on November 25, ‘Select Films, Select Conversations’ travelled to The Saturday Club Limited, Kolkata, on Saturday, December 9. During the evening, host Mandira Bedi held an engaging conversation with Jim Sarbh, Kalki Koechlin, Parambrata Chatterjee and Anuvab Pal. ‘Fantasy or Funny- Which is the toughest genre?’ being the theme of the evening, the discussions revolved around the evolution of Indian cinema, diversity of genres and the short film format. The conversation received immense engagement from the audience present at the event. This was followed by the screening of select Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films.
 
Commenting on the ideology behind the activation platform, Kartik Mohindra, CMO, Pernod Ricard India, said, “Through the years, Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films has evolved, creating an ecosystem that brings world class storytelling to curious and discerning audiences, thus becoming ‘the’ destination for Indian short films. Select Films, Select Conversations, the brand’s interactive platform, is an embodiment of this ideology, where we seek to explore the originality and creativity of the short film format and set it in the context of cinema today.”

Speaking about her association with the platform as the host, actress Mandira Bedi said, “I am thrilled to be associated with Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films. Getting to interact with different storytellers, artistes and understanding their diverse perspectives on cinema is a wonderful opportunity. I’m looking forward to all the riveting conversations, behind the scenes stories about the short film universe and the interactions with #TheSelectOnes.”

Actor Jim Sarbh said, “I am glad to continue my association with Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films through ‘Select Films, Select Conversations’. It feels great to be a part of this unique experience and partake in conversations around cinema with my contemporaries from the industry.”

Actor and Director Parambrata Chatterjee spoke about the platform, sharing, “Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films has emerged as a trailblazer when it comes to propagating the short film format in India. Participating in a cinematic discourse with different artists and storytellers through ‘Select Films, Select Conversations’, was a wonderful experience and I’m eagerly awaiting more such opportunities.”

Comedian and Screenwriter Anuvab Pal said, “After writing ‘Badminton’ for Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films, I am glad to be joining hands with the platform once again for ‘Select Films, Select Conversations’.  It’s a commendable endeavour and I am eagerly looking forward to more such evenings discussing all the fascinating aspects of short format films.”

Actor Kalki Koechlin shared, “With the changing content consumption patterns in today’s world, it’s an exciting time for cinema in India. I feel it is a transformational time for our industry and it is platforms like these that bring about the positive shift. I am delighted to have the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of cinema thanks to Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films.”

After successfully wrapping up in Gurugram and Kolkata, Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films is set to travel to Pune on December 16, 2023, with ‘Select Films, Select Conversations’. This will be followed by the release of on-air episodes.