Budding Filmmakers Narrate Stories in 16 mm Celluloid as Medium at KMB

KOCHI:

How about making celluloid as a canvas for creative expression even without a camera on hand, that too when digital filmmaking is the order of the day?

Budding filmmakers who participated in the 16mm Cameraless Film Workshop at Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025 (KMB) had a fantastic time using 16 mm celluloid as a medium to narrate their stories.

The workshop, organised by Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) in association with Experimenta India, was facilitated by artist and filmmaker Gavati Wad.

Held at St Andrew’s Parish Hall, Fort Kochi, it gave a peep into handmade filmmaking.

“It’s about using a 16-mm film as a canvas to paint, draw, collage or write, and draw sound on films. The idea is to make them use the hand,” said Gavati.

“We have been doing film workshops as part of Experimenta India since its inception in 2003, and we conduct film festivals every two years in Bengaluru. For the KMB, we chose Experimenta Special Edition: 16mm Cameraless Film Workshop,” she said.

The workshop was set in the context of direct cinema of the late 1950s and early 60s when people worked with celluloid as a canvas.

“Making a film without a camera is beyond imagination today. But you can, because you are working with celluloid film as a material. it’s a great way to understand the medium. The projector can read sound as a part of the strip runs through the sound head of the projector and anything in its range turns into sound,” Gavati said.

The 16 mm celluloid, which emerged in the 1920s, became a better option than the 35-mm film for its safety, lightness, and affordability, besides offering an artistic and aesthetic experience, especially for feature film, documentary, and television filmmakers. The grainy texture and the process of loading the reel are nostalgic.

After the participants created their visuals, Gavati splices the film strips together in a splicer and projects the film with a 16mm projector, a thrill to watch.

“We could create anything on the film. My narrative was a mix of symbols, writing, numerals, and images, and if they run into the soundtrack, they turn into sounds,” said Gershawn MJ, a KMB volunteer.

Vignesh P Sasidharan, an independent filmmaker, said, “this was a great opportunity as I have been obsessed with 16-mm film and wanted to know more about the structural cinema movement of the 1960s and 1970s which focussed on medium, structural, and physical elements.”

Aloshy Antony, an architect into films and digital photography, said “It was a unique experience to draw your own images and create a narrative and see the film.”

Aswin CM, a short filmmaker said, “we have not seen celluloid film or projectors so far. It was amazing to do a film without shooting. The art and craft of making it was thrilling.”

Leeza Thottan, a visual designer felt good about the experience. She said, “I am making a handmade film for the first time and the tactile quality feels good.”

Gavati, who encouraged the participants, said, “It’s a beginning and one can explore more.”