However, inspiration, they say, struck much before the lockdown began. "The historical inspiration for this festival goes back almost 200 years. In 1863, the Salon des Refusées, [French: Exhibition of Rejects], changed the world of art by showcasing original, daring works who hadn't been admitted by the jury of the prestigious but old-fashioned Paris Salon. The artists featured at the show including Cézanne, Édouard Manet and Courbet went on to redefine the meaning of art and became leading voices of their century. What would a new Salon for documentary filmmaking look like today? How much raw talent and original perspectives are there yet to discover?" says Anna Bressanin, US editor, BBC Reel, in an email interview adding that it was a way to unearth hidden gems and new narratives.

A still from Childhood, Boyhood, Youth

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.86%

AAP 41.43%

INC 25.71%

Submit

View All In Poll

Keeping the socially isolated times in mind, these films focus on basic human emotions, struggles and pain, things that unite us all in crises. Curating the festival itself, came with its share of challenges. "We had to create a nomination system, work across departments to create a legal framework, ensure that we set up a voting system that guarantees fair competition and prevents frauds, and we had to build a new webpage that would make our viewers' experience exciting and entertaining. Most importantly though, we wanted LongShots to be a truly global festival, so we had to find jurors willing to work with us from different regions around the world. We had to make sure we had diverse voices," elaborates Bressanin.

Anna Bressanin

On Till June 24
Log on to bbc.com/reel/longshots

From around the world

Champion of the World (Federico Borgia and Guillermo Madeiro) Uruguay, Spanish
Antonio Osta, a 43-year-old erstwhile bodybuilding champion reminisces his past.

Their Voices (EriMizutani) Poland, Sign language
The goings-on inside a Polish boarding school.

Chanson Triste (Louise Narboni) France, French, English, Pashto
The life of an Afghan refugee singer who sings songs of hope and disappointment.

The First Line of China (Hanwen Zhang) China, Chinese
Hanwen Zhang makes the journey back home to a cement factory town in Northeast China.

Childhood, Boyhood, Youth (RúbenGonçalves) Portugal, Portuguese
Set in the National Conservatory Dance School, Lisbon, the kids and their craft are put to test.

UncleYim (Luna Maran) Mexico, Spanish
An indigenous family and their social fights, music and communality.

Taraash (Ishan Siddiqui) India, Hindi
A cattle farmer has the opportunity to film his own script.

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news