The reel show begins: What’s on offer at Open Frame, the documentary film festival

What’s on offer at Open Frame, the documentary fan’s film festival.

A still from Natyanubhav.

A long list of films rolls down a billboard at India International Centre (IIC), raising the inevitable question, ‘which one to leave out’. For, Open Frame, Public Services Broadcasting Trust’s (PSBT) annual film festival, dazes by sheer numbers. Almost 40 films will be screened till September 2, on themes ranging from ecology and urban crises to celebrations of culture.

Sharada Ramanathan, for instance, undertakes a journey through the history and varieties of Indian classical dance in Natyanubhava, and is matched by Laili Dutta’s Ocean of Melody, an evocation of Indian classical music down the ages.

Unfolding The Pata Story, on the other hand, in less than an hour, runs through the story of patua artists who create scroll paintings, among the earliest forms of audio-visual storytelling in the world.

Rajiv Mehrotra, Managing Trustee of PSBT, says that the organisation funds filmmakers but does not dictate their subjects. “It is interesting when patterns emerge that we can spot but cannot always explain. The recent trending topics have included spirituality and gender, showcased by films such as Akanksha Joshi’s Hindu Nectar: Spiritual Wanderings in India (a daughter’s journey from the Himalayas to peninsular India, through rivers, mountains, forests and caves learning the significance of the rituals she has inherited) and Sulh-e-Kul (a bird’s and worm’s eye view of the history, cultural impact, sights and sounds of Ajmer Sharif Dargah).”

Gender discourse, too, receives a wide treatment through films that not only look at the subjugation of women (Can’t Hide Me and Shame was a Place Inside) but also the tug and pull of life for homosexuals in India. Among these, Through the Looking Glass covers a day in the life of a man who has been experimenting with his sister’s clothes, only to be caught by her.

Each film is followed with a Q&A with the filmmaker to encourage active participation of the audience. “I have noticed that, in the last 14 years, the audience has become younger and more probing. The Q&A sessions are not only about what the film is about but how it was made,” says Mehrotra.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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