INDIA: Veteran journalist and media educator Prof. (Dr.) K. G. Suresh was felicitated on Monday at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa for his role as a member of the Great Grand Jury of the Creative Makers of Tomorrow (CMOT). The honour was presented by Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of the National Film Development Corporation, and Ajay Nagabhushan, Joint Secretary (Films) at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The CMOT initiative is regarded as a distinctive platform for young filmmakers, offering early exposure to professional evaluation and festival participation. The programme brings together emerging talent from across India and provides an opportunity for newcomers to experiment with narrative styles and contemporary issues. Suresh’s participation as a jury member placed him in a central role in evaluating films submitted by young creators.
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Reflecting on the experience, Suresh, who currently serves as Director of the India Habitat Centre, said CMOT presents young filmmakers with both a challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate their skills. He noted that the five films shortlisted this year focused on the growing concern over the obsession with creating viral social media content. According to him, each film explored the theme from a different perspective, often highlighting the emotional and social costs associated with the pursuit of online visibility. He expressed satisfaction at the thoughtful and sensitive manner in which the young filmmakers addressed the issue, suggesting that the submissions represented a maturing understanding of the digital world among emerging storytellers.
Suresh has long been associated with film evaluation and media education. He previously served on the jury of the National Film Awards as well as the Indian Panorama section of IFFI. His experience spans decades of involvement in journalism, media research and academic leadership. During his tenure as Vice Chancellor of the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, he established the Department of Cinema Studies, aiming to build a structured academic foundation for film studies and research.
His contribution to media education extended further during his term as Director General of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). Under his leadership, IIMC conducted collaborative workshops with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, covering areas such as cinematography, acting and direction. These workshops aimed to bridge the gap between journalism education and the practical aspects of film and media production.
Suresh has also held important roles at major film and media institutions. He served on the governing body of FTII and on the society of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata. Both institutions have played significant roles in shaping India’s film and television landscape and continue to produce some of the country’s leading filmmakers and technicians.
At present, Suresh is a member of the Executive Council of the Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts in Rohtak, where he contributes to academic and institutional development in the fields of visual and performing arts.
His involvement with film juries extends beyond India. In 2012, he became the first Indian to serve on the jury of Plural Plus, an international youth video festival organised by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the International Organization for Migration. The festival encourages young people to express their views on migration, diversity and social inclusion through short films.
Over the years, Suresh has authored several research papers on cinema and television, published in respected national and international journals. His body of work reflects a sustained engagement with the evolution of media, storytelling practices and the social responsibilities linked to visual communication.
The felicitation at IFFI marks another chapter in a career dedicated to nurturing talent, contributing to academic development and supporting platforms that amplify youth voices in cinema.
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