(Image source from: })

With film festivals and renowned directors raising voice and extending support by taking the issue of strike by Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) to the I&B ministry, FTII students find international resonance. The protest by the FTII students against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan, FTII chairperson, has now extended to more than two months.

Emanuela Martini, Torino film festival director, wrote in a letter to PM Narendra Modi and Arun Jaitley, I&B minister, that, "The international community of film people can't help noticing the dire crisis that FTII is going through. We feel sad that students of one of the best film schools are struggling to get their legitimate concerns addressed. We hope that you will be able to engage with the students with an open mind, and be able to arrive at a solution that shows the level of seriousness and commitment you have towards the future of Indian cinema and its cultural stature as a modern nation.''

Also read: Four FTII Students Under Custody For Rioting And Prohibited Assembly

Along with many others, Mohsen Makhmalbaf an Iranian filmmaker has expressed his support by saying that, "We feel sad that students of one of the best film schools in the world are struggling to get their legitimate concerns addressed." Latvian director Laila Pakalnina and Tala Hadid have supported Makhmalbaf.

-Sumana