The Department of Arts at Don Bosco College, Panjim organised a 2-day screening of short films, at the Bicentenary Hall of the college from October 17 to October 18, in accordance with the Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival (DBGYFF).

The aim of the festival was to inspire and empower youth in the field of media while promoting social responsibility. It provided an exceptional platform for young filmmakers to showcase their talents, encouraging them to use the powerful medium of visual storytelling to contribute positively to society. This year the theme of the festival was, I Have a Dream: Youth and Climate Change, Making Mother Earth Cleaner and Greener.

This year three films from the Salesian Province of Panjim were shortlisted for the festival. Of the three, two films were made by students of the Don Bosco Panjim Campus The Awakening made by TY BAMCJ student, Rameez Shaikh and A Wish For Change by Prathit Fernandes of Don Bosco High School. Echoes of the Earth, the third film was made by Abin Francis from Don Bosco Loutolim.

Day one of the screening began at 9:30 a.m. with an inaugural ceremony. Don Bosco Higher Secondary, Principal, Father Tamatur Cardozo was the chief guest while the guest speaker was Founder on One Earth, Ferdin Sylvester. Also present were Don Bosco College, Director, Father Joaquim Lobo, Principal, Dr Cedric Silviera and Don Bosco High School, Principal, Father Avin Carvalho.


Guest speaker, Environmental Conservationist and Founder of One Earth Foundation, Ferdin Sylvester, spoke of his dream for a greener world. He urged students to work towards a common goal to improve the environment, create environmental awareness and protect the resources of the environment. College Principal, Dr Cedric Silveira felicitated Mr Ferdin Sylvester with a sapling, symbolic of the theme of the film festival.


Rameez Shaikh and his team were invited to speak and interact with the enthusiastic audience that comprised students from the Don Bosco High School Section, Students from the BA programme and parents. The filmmaker and team were then felicitated for their achievement by the college director with a congratulatory token, which was then followed by the screening of the film.


Prathit Fernandes and his team also interacted and shared insights on their film, A Wish for Change. Principal Don Bosco College, Dr Silveira felicitated the young filmmaker and his team for having won a place in the South Asia Region category.

The film screening was divided into three slots, each of a duration of 45 minutes. A short synopsis of every film, selected for viewing, was shared by students of the BA department before the screenings. The BA students interacted with the audience by asking them their choice of films, the values learned and their reasons.

On day two, the programme began with College Director, Father Lobo addressing the audience with an inspiring speech, encouraging the crowd to embrace dreams that drive change. He emphasised that the youth have a crucial role to play in building a sustainable future by adopting environmentally responsible behaviours.

Abin Francis from Don Bosco Loutolim and maker of Echoes of the Earth film was invited, along with his team, to interact with the college students and discuss his filmmaking journey. He was then felicitated by College Director, Father Joaquim Lobo.

Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival was an inspiring and impactful experience. The combination of creative storytelling and real – world environmental messages left a lasting impression on the audience. The event effectively highlighted the urgency of environmental conservation and empowered young participants to become advocates for positive change.

Feedback collected from the participants was overwhelmingly positive and many attendees appreciated the impactful storytelling which motivated them to take steps toward protecting the environment.
A total of 340 students from the college, school as well as teachers and parents attended the screenings on both days. The film screenings were open to the public.