The most awaited 8th International Short Film Festival of India (ISFFI) hit the screen on 28th March and run through 29th March unrolling a vibrant selection of 54 short films across the globe. The inaugural function of the two-day festival commenced with a welcome note followed by lighting of Kuthuvilakku by the dignitaries at Abirami Mega Mall, Shree Annai (Chinese Theme Theatre), Purusaiwakkam, Chennai under the patronage of DBICA and Abirami Theatres Pvt Ltd. In his welcome address, the festival director Fr. Harris summarized the contribution of the DBICA in promoting the ISFFI. He also said ``we live in a speedy world which is both timing saving and more contributive and in short that which is short tends to be more effective both positively and negatively.`` The splendid array of dignitaries, who crowned the award ceremony of ISFFI 2014 were Mr. Abirami Ramanathan, Managing Director - Abirami Mega Mall, Mr. Brian M. Jennings - Hollywood VFX Director, Mr. K.M. Ravindran - Additional Director General, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting . Mr. Krishnamoorthy - Principal, MGR Film & Television Institue, Director & Actor Naveen, Director & Actor Ramakrishnan, Director GNR Kumaravelan, Director SS Stanley. Rev. Harris Pakkam, Festival Director - ISFFI, Rev. Sahayaraj, the principal of DBCAD, Rev. Rajan and Rev. David, the asst. director of DBICA. Rev. Rajan presented the vote of thanks for the inaugural ceremony and Rev. David; the Asst.Director of DBICA presented the vote of thanks for awarding ceremony. Mr. Abirami Ramanathan, the Managing director of Abirami Theatres Private Ltd, and President of Tamil Nadu Cinema Theatre Owner`s Federation and Chennai City Film Exhibitor`s Association in his inaugural address congratulated DBICA for creating a rare platform for short films and appreciated the film directors present for the festival. He concluded with a request of conducting an exclusive Indian Short Film in the years to come. Prof. Director SS Stanley appreciated the unbreakable efforts manifested by DBICA in promoting the Short films. Director GNR Kumaravelan thanked DBICA to have created a rare platform to the budding filmmakers and film lovers and he insisted that the opportunities were spread out everywhere in the current era for the filmmakers but they ought to be sincere and hard working in achieving the target. Director & Actor Naveen sharing his personal experiences encouraged the gathering with a good message of ``never losing hope until we achieve it and only in crises we tend to be creative and efficient to the maximum possible.`` Mr. K.M. Ravindran - Additional Director General, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting was appreciating the strenuous efforts taken by DBICA in promoting the ISFFI and highlighted the world is turning towards short films for better entertainment and clarity of concepts. Mr. Krishnamoorthy - Principal, MGR Film & Television Institue punctuated his notes that Short films were unique in terms of delivering powerful and realistic messages and hard work was the first capital of any short film since one had to give what is really worth and direct to the audience. The dignitaries unanimously declared open ISFFI 2014 with the official promo and placard. The festival unfurled 26 movies on the first day and 28 movies on the following day with a variety of themes of day to day life experiences. The short film extravaganza this year comprised of 17 International short films from countries like Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, France, Germany, Hong Kong Iran, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, , Ukraine and Venezuela and 3 Shorts from India, coming from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala on a variety of themes belonging to alternate genres and narrative styles. All 54 Short Films were screened within 2 days in different timings. Summarizing 54 shorts from 1200 entries was definitely hard task. Three levels of Jury boards filtered the best for the final short list. The preliminary board of juries consisted of 24 juries - students of Viscom Department from various esteemed colleges in and around Chennai, the second level board of juries consisted of 7 and the final level board of juries was members from various walks of life like : Mrs. Nandini Balaji (Executive Producer - Reel Routes Production House), Mr.Muthu Manickam (Honorary secretary for MGR Film Society & Film Institute - Government of Tamil Nadu - Head of Television Department - MGR Film Institute), Mr. Sooraj Nallusami (Cinematographer - `Desingu Raja, `Manam kothi paravai`) and Mr. Arun (Head of the Department - Dept. of Cinematography - SRM - Sivaji Ganesan Film Institute. ISFFI 2014 was organized with the support of Missioni Don Bosco, the International Business Houses like Aug&Ohr Medien-Berlin, KIMUAK-Spain, Elenfant Film-Italy, Freak-Spain, OFFecam, Ecam, en Corto-Spain, Mailuki Films-Spain, The Other Side Of Films-Spain and The House of Films, Spain and College collaborators like L.V. Prasad Film and TV Academy, Chennai and Don Bosco College of Art and Design, Department of Visual Communication of Madras Christian College, Department Visual Communication of Holy Cross College for women, Trichy and EVR Periyar College, Trichy and MEDIA PARTNERS like Sathiyam TV, Radio City, Cine Mobita Online, and Magazine Partners like Puthiya Tharisanam, Decon Chronicles, the PUBLICITY PARTNERS like SISMA and the VENUE PARTNER Abirami Theatres Private Limited, Chennai. The crowning moment of festival was the declaration of the ISFFI award ceremony. All the participants were awarded with a certificate by the dignitaries. Among the awards on the International category: The first place was given to Il Confessionale (The Confessional) by Davide Pompeo from Italy, the second place was given to Sucio por Fuera (Dirty on the Outside) by Leonardo P�rez Garc�a, from Spain and the third place was given to Rojo (Red) by Carlos Alejandro Molina M, from Venezuela. Among the awards on the National category: The first place was given to Dhisai maarum Vuravugal by Krishna Priya from Kerala, the Second Place was given to 18 Sticks by Manimaran M, from Tamil Nadu and the third place was bagged by Amoortha by Aravin Kuplikar from Karnataka. ISFFI 2014, no doubt in its 8th edition offered a unique glimpse into the most life touching short films from across the globe. The festival was not merely a digital entertainment but was an experience to evaluate ourselves. Fr. Harris Pakkam sdb., ISFFI - Film Festival Director