Manipal, August 27, 2024: Manipal Academy of Higher Education achieved a remarkable for its documentary, Living Cultures of Tulunadu - Bhuta, which has been honoured with the Best Film Award under the Social Practices category at the prestigious Culture Cinema International Film Festival (C2F2). The award ceremony was held virtually on August 25, 2024.

The documentary was selected from a competitive pool of over 800 entries from across the globe and received official selection in July 2024. After two months of rigorous screening and evaluation by the festival’s esteemed jury, the top 10 films in 15 categories were chosen, with Living Cultures of Tulunadu - Bhuta emerging as the winner in its category.

Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal also shared his thoughts & stated, “We are immensely proud of this achievement; the documentary not only reflects our commitment to cultural education but also underscores the importance of preserving and promoting lesser-known traditions. It is heartening to see our students and faculty collaborate on projects that have a profound impact on both the academic and cultural landscapes as we will keep pushing boundaries of creativity.”

Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, “This prestigious is award is a testament to the dedication and creativity of our team in bringing the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Tulunadu to the forefront. At MAHE, we strive to foster an environment where academic excellence and cultural preservation go hand in hand. The recognition from Culture Cinema International Film Festival is a significant milestone which will motivate us to continue our efforts in showcasing India’s vibrant cultural tapestry to the world.”

Praveen Shetty, Assistant Professor, Coordinator Centre for Intercultural Studies and Dialogue, Dept of Humanities & Management & MIT, MAHE, stated that “This is a remarkable achievement, and we are grateful to all the students & faculties who have provided their invaluable support. Our team has also been invited to participate in interactive sessions with students during the screenings, providing a platform for deeper discussions on the cultural themes explored in the film.”

C2F2-in-The-Campus, a unique initiative of the festival, aims to bring award-winning films to the youth in colleges and universities across India, allowing them to experience and engage with diverse global cultures. The films will be screened across several Universities: Bennett University, Greater NOIDA, Delhi Metropolitan Education, NOIDA, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, Presidency University, Bengaluru &RV University, Bengaluru. Culture Cinema Film Festival (C2F2) is organised to commemorate the UN-declared "World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development" that falls upon 21st May 2024. Held every year on 21st May, this day celebrates not only the richness of the world’s cultures but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue in achieving peace and sustainable development.