AN INDIAN schoolboy has been chosen as one of the winners of a global film competition about faith, organised by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation.
Mudit Muraka, 15, from Apeejay School in New Delhi, won in the Face to Faith category; his film The Mirror explores the social pressures that youth face each day.
Liat Har-Gil, 25, from Israel, won in the 18-27 category, for her film Death Bed the Musical, about a dying man and his nurse debating the existence of god and the meaning of life.
Charles Flamiano, 16, from the Philippines, won in the 14-17 year old category for his film Letting Go, Letting God, a story about putting trust in God when faced with adversity.
The winners were honoured at a ceremony in central London on Monday (26).
Muraka said he was overwhelmed to by the honour.
"Thank you to my school, my principal and family," he said.
"Someday I hope we can live in a world where everyone is free of prejudice and stereotypes and can have their own unique faith and be themselves.”
Film makers aged between 14-27 years old were asked to produce three-minute films which answer the brief “Let me show you how my faith inspires me”.
Entries came from around the world including, India, Israel, Palestine, Philippines, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Norway, Nepal, New Zealand, the UK and USA.
Of these, 15 films were shortlisted.
All the winners received their awards from former prime minster Tony Blair in front of an audience that included members of the judging panel, the film industry and faith leaders.
Blair, the founder and patron of the foundation said: “Through these excellent Faith Shorts films, we can help build understanding about different faiths and cultures and help combat ignorance and fear, so creating a strong basis for peaceful coexistence.
“It is vital that we nurture a generation of young people who embrace and respect difference.”
Judges of the competition included hollywood star Hugh Jackman, Oscar winning producer Lord David Puttnam, Nik Powell, chair of the BAFTA Film Committee, grand Mufti of Sanjak, Croatia and Slovenia Dr Mustafa Ceric, chief Rabbi Lord Sacks and Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor.
For more information about the competition go to www.faithshorts.org
