The film club of Don Bosco College, The Cinemaniacs, launched its activities for the academic year 2025–26 with its inaugural event, Premiere, held in the college’s Audio-Visual Hall. The event was graced by veteran Konkani tiatrist and film actor Mr. John D’Silva as Chief Guest.
Close to 120 students, along with faculty members from across departments, attended the event. The programme began with a welcome by student Ms. Micole D’Souza (FYBAMCJ), followed by an address by the College Director, Rev. Fr. Kinley D’Cruz, who reminded students that “Cinema is more than entertainment—it is a reflection of life and society.”
The newly elected office bearers—Secretary Ms. Stella Lopes (SYBAMCJ), Assistant Secretary Mr. Siddharth Kittur (SYBBA), and Event Co-head Mr. Herman Noronha (TYBAMCJ)—were introduced by the club convenor, Asst. Prof. Agnelo D’Souza, and formally welcomed by the Principal, Dr. Cedric Silveira. The official inauguration was carried out by the dignitaries, with Chief Guest Mr. John D’Silva symbolically declaring the club open for the academic year 2025–26 with the ceremonial clap of the clapperboard.
Secretary Ms. Stella Lopes then presented a short screening of highlights from past editions of CINEMANIA, the club’s flagship event, and also unveiled a teaser for the upcoming edition, CINEMANIA: Phase Four, scheduled for October 2025 in collaboration with the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism. This was followed by an interactive session with Mr. D’Silva, moderated by student member Ms. Varada Godkar (SYBAMCJ). Along with the interview, the audience also participated in an engaging Q&A session, where students posed questions about his career, inspirations, and the future of Goan cinema. Mr. D’Silva shared his journey from theatre to cinema, spoke of his inspirations in Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth, and stressed that it was faith in God that guided him throughout his personal and professional life.
As a gesture of appreciation, the student secretaries Stella Lopes and Siddharth Kittur presented the Chief Guest with a specially crafted framed collage celebrating his remarkable body of work. This was followed by the Principal, Dr. Cedric Silveira, presenting a formal memento on behalf of the college.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Assistant Secretary Mr. Siddharth Kittur and a group photograph with all students and faculty present. Cinemaniacs’ Premiere 2025 marked not just the opening of the club’s calendar, but also reaffirmed its mission of providing students a creative platform for cinema, storytelling, and critical appreciation.
