Noida, March 16, 2025 – A thought-provoking seminar titled “The Absence of Human-Interest Stories in Indian Media” was held at the 13th Global Festival of Journalism & AVGC Noida 2025 at Marwah Film City, Noida. The seminar brought together media professionals, journalists, and content creators to discuss the growing need for more human-interest narratives in Indian media.
Dr. Sandeep Marwah, renowned media personality and founder of Marwah Studios, delivered the keynote address. He highlighted the crucial role human-interest stories play in shaping societal perceptions and how their absence has resulted in a shift toward more sensationalized and commercialized content. Dr. Marwah urged the media industry to return to its roots, focusing on stories that resonate with the human experience, offering a deeper connection with audiences and encouraging empathy.
Other distinguished speakers included: Manish Sharma, Digital Creator, who emphasized the need for digital platforms to embrace more authentic and relatable stories. Ashif Aqbal, Editor, Prime News, who pointed out how the fast-paced nature of modern journalism often leaves little room for in-depth human-interest coverage.
Rahisuddin Rihan, Senior Correspondent, AIR, discussed the ethical responsibility of the media to highlight human stories amidst the current tide of breaking news and sensational headlines. Soumya Choudhury, Creative Director, Charuvi Design Lab, shared insights on how visual storytelling can amplify the emotional connection with human-interest stories.
Arijit Bhattacharya, Founder, Virtualinfocom, reflected on the role of technology in transforming how human-interest stories are told and consumed. Kim Myong Chol, First Secretary, Embassy of DPR Korea, and Avital Barak, Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of Israel, spoke about the importance of cultural exchange through media and the role that human-interest stories can play in bridging gaps between nations.
In addition to the seminar, the event also marked the release of the highly anticipated book “Empowering a Billion Lives” by Mr. Ravi Eppaturi. The book, which delves into the challenges and opportunities facing India in the context of global development, was launched amidst much fanfare. Mr. Eppaturi’s book emphasizes the power of individual action and collective effort in creating a positive impact on the lives of millions.
The seminar successfully encouraged dialogue on the responsibility of media to prioritize human-centered narratives, ensuring that the voices of the underserved and the marginalized are heard. It also provided an opportunity for industry experts and attendees to explore the evolving landscape of journalism, digital media, and the essential role human-interest stories play in shaping a more inclusive and compassionate society.
The 13th Global Festival of Journalism & AVGC Noida 2025 continues to be an important platform for the exchange of ideas and insights that drive the future of journalism, media, and global culture.
S.No. | Documentary Name | Director | Country | Duration | Awards | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | The Beret on My Head | Mr. Shiv Shakti (Director) | India | 21:56 mins | ||
2 | ONE SIDED LOVE | Harry Khalsa, Kahanikar Saromi (Director) | India | 18:25 mins | ||
3 | If the Indian Army would have got 10 days, Pakistan's illegally occupied Kashmir (POW) would have been India's | Neeraj Rajput | India | 11:50 mins | ||
4 | How Indian Navy took revenge of Pakistan's attack on one of the auspicious places revered by our India, Dwarka (attacked by Pakistan during 1965 war) in '71 war. | Neeraj Rajput | India | 32:50 mins | ||
5 | Matarife The Movie | Paula Pardo (Line Producer), Daniel Mendoza Leal | Colombia | 01:59:26 | Best Editing | |
6 | Shadow offering | Direction and photography: Antonio García | Venezuela | 20:33 mins | ||
7 | LAS PUPUSAS | Hector Mojica | El Salvador | 33:22 mins | Best Cinematography | |
8 | "Ellas crean" (They create) | Lourdes de los Santos | Cuba | 59:72 mins | ||
9 | India-South Korea: Endearing Ties | भारत-कोरिया: दिलों के तार | South Korea | 28:43 mins | |||
10 | ALGERIA SEEN FROM THE SKY | Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Yazid Tizi | Algeria | 1.5 hrs | ||
11 | Ayoub | Ajwad Jaradat | Palestine | 23:37 mins | Best Ideation | |
12 | Ankos Masquerade Street Festival | Ohene | Ghana | 09:19 mins | ||
13 | Mag Fete | Ahmat Yaya Abbas | Chad | 14:27 mins | ||
14 | Aitmatovdun Aalamy | Bakyt Karagulov | Kyrgyzstan | 1:02:53 | Best Cinematography | |
15 | El Nino Del Plumo | Rodrigo Herrera Rubio | Chile | 10:02 mins | Special Jury Mention | |
16 | The Inimitable Baltic Way | Laura Paukste | Lithuania | 27:17 mins | Best Editing | |
17 | El Encierro | Santiago Maza and Santiago Fabregas | Mexico | 1h 19m | ||
18 | La Matamoros | Delfina Vidal | Panama | 1h | ||
19 | Fidel | Estela Bravo | Cuba | 3h 26m | ||
20 | Haebaragi- Brand School Things and Children/Taekwan Do Everybody Likes | DPR Korea | 02:25 mins | |||
21 | The Inca - Cities in the Cloud | Paul Cooper | Peru | |||
22 | Legend of Kharibulbul | Mikael Silkberg | Azerbaijan | 40:52 mins | Best Ideation | |
23 | La Primera Dama De La Revolution | Andrea Kalin | Costa Rica | 1:11:00 | ||
24 | Morocco's Bollywood Dream | Abdeliah El Jaouhary | Morocco | 45:51 mins | ||
25 | Home to Sixteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Ethiopia | 29:52 mins | |||
26 | Arando En La Memoria-Plowing Into Memory | Goar Sánchez | Venezuela | 50:03 mins | ||
27 | Story of Jingdezhen and Me | Chen Yunmei | China | 09:00 mins | Best Script Writing | |
28 | Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park | Kinley Penjor | Bhutan | 13:48 mins | ||
29 | El Salvador Untamed | Nigel Marven | El Salvador | 50:59 mins | Best Documentary | |
30 | Rakshak | Emad Shaikh | India | 46:29 mins | Special Jury Mention | |
31 | Under The Same Sky | Sutapa Das Choudhury | India | 26:24mins | ||
32 | RE BASOTHO! | Justice Motsamai | Lesotho | 56:59mins | ||
33 | BHAGIRATH THE SANDMAN | Dr. Satyam Bhaskar | India | 23:50mins | ||
34 | THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE IN MY LIFE | Dimple Salwan | India | 22:25mins | ||
35 | DEVI MEMORIES | Dimple Salwan | India | 09:01mins | ||
36 | Let us understand Autism | Neeta Banga | India | 28:46mins | ||
37 | Lithium Batteries (the flip side of technology) | Amit Kumar Sonker | India | 07:23mins | ||
38 | Jungle Jigsaw: The Uncanny Mystery | Nitisha Kaila | India | 09:02mins | ||
39 | Abhivyanjana | Neha Dutta | India | 09:51mins | ||
40 | The Saga of a Braveheart | Maya Chandra | India | 49mins | Best Script writing | |
41 | Dr.Rajkumar : An Analysis of a Phenomenon | Maya Chandra | India | 55 minutes | ||
42 | The Krishna Cosmic Circle of life | Maya Chandra | India | 25 minutes | Best Documentary | |
43 | Jainism-Ancient Religion, Modern Relevance | Maya Chandra | India | 27.5 minutes | Special Jury Mention | |
44 | Loin Loom-Weaving in Arunachal Pradesh | Maya Chandra | India | 28 minutes | ||
45 | Borders Create Widows | Maya Chandra | India | 19 minutes | ||
46 | Two Lives, 2 Stories - Pompe Foundation | Maya Chandra | India | 7:50 minutes | ||
47 | Tiranga | Maya Chandra | India | 6:40 minutes | Best Cinematography | |
48 | Laments of the Past | Maya Chandra | India | 6:24 minutes | ||
49 | Aharya | Maya Chandra | India | 15:25 minutes | ||
50 | The Valley of Love | Maya Chandra | India | 15 minutes | ||
51 | PEACE NOTES: THE JOURNEY OF AN ORCHESTRA | Maya Chandra | India | 22:48 minutes | Best Script Writing | |
52 | Chuvannavanampady | Joseph Mundackal | India | 14:57 minutes | ||
53 | MADELET | Nebil Özgentürk | Türkiye | 46:51 minutes | ||
54 | Under the Walnut Tree | Begüm Aksoy | Türkiye | 23:08 minutes | ||
55 | Abhyudaya: The Rise of Future | Siddhi Singh | India | 09:49 minutes | ||
56 | मिट्टी की खुशबू राष्ट्र मुहिम | Hira Amit Rohilla | India | 07:10 minutes | ||
57 | Paakhi | Aditya Awasthi | India | 12:51 minutes | Best Documentary & Best Ideation | |
58 | Documentary on Umhang Lake | Cassandra Rimaia Pajat | India | 14:19 minutes | Best Editing | |
59 | Prof. Dr. Parin Somani’s Care for Humanity | Dr. Parin Somani | India | 04:58 minutes | ||
60 | Prof. Dr. Parin Somani’s Care for Humanity | Dr. Parin Somani | India | 19:54 minutes | ||
61 | HORONA DURANLAR (A JOURNEY TO THE BLACKSEA) |
Bahriye Kabadayı Dal | Türkiye | 49 minutes | ||
62 | THE UNKNOWN STORY OF FATMA KAYACI | Orahan Tekeoglu | Türkiye | 40:04 minutes | ||
63 | Independencia 100 POR 100 | Daniel Camargo | Brazil | 1:23 hrs |
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