Kite Flyers
Short film In Production
Producer
Gannesh Rajah
Director
Jessica Bishop
Doc Society helped with
Production
Before the first light of day, two friends Muhammad and Imran, embark on a weekly journey, traveling from their urban home in West London to a remote beach in a small seaside town in Kent. With the arrival of the first rays of the morning sun, they begin the beautiful yet dangerous pastime of kite flying. Though now banned in their home country of Pakistan in 2005, the practice has recently been sanctioned by the local Kent council and thus, undergoing a subtle metamorphosis, the tradition has evolved; the once popular Eastern activity finding new life on windswept British beaches. Using the kite’s strings which are coated in powdered glass, along with a tremendous amount of skill and teamwork, they aim to cut the strings of their competitors' kites. Only two kites fight at once; competing to be the last kite standing (flying)! If your kite falls, you lose respect. The weekly competition culminates in a ritualistic bonfire on the beach, as the men set off fireworks; echoing celebratory memories of kite flying from their youth with their families. Then, with the dying sun, they all leave the beach and journey back to London. Exploring themes of belonging, heritage, identity and male friendship, KITE FLYERS is a unique documentary that spans cultures and continents.
Crew
Gannesh Rajah
Producer
Gannesh Rajah is a BAFTA-longlisted and multiple BIFA-award-winning producer, whose work spans a variety of formats and genres. His first feature documentary as lead producer, the BFI Doc Society supported IF THE STREETS WERE ON FIRE, had its World Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, was released theatrically in the UK, acquired by BBC Storyville, and screened at The Houses of Parliament. The film was longlisted for the BAFTA for ‘Outstanding Debut’ and won two BIFAs - including ‘Best Feature Documentary’ - with Gannesh also receiving a nomination for ‘Breakthrough Producer.’
Gannesh was awarded the prestigious DOC SOCIETY FELLOWSHIP, is a BFI INSIGHT PRODUCER and SHEFFIELD DOC FEST FUTURE PRODUCER alumnus, is part of BAFTA CONNECT, was named a FILM LONDON LODESTAR, and is part of FILM LONDON’S BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING cohort (where he was mentored by 007 Producer, Barbara Broccoli).
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