The Cam O’Genics Club successfully hosted its annual symposium, Monocle 25’, on April 8 and 9, 2025. The two-day celebration brought together students from various departments and diverse backgrounds, all united by their shared passion for creativity, storytelling, filmmaking, and culture. With an overwhelming response of nearly 1200 registrations and numerous on-spot entries, the symposium blossomed into a dynamic and memorable platform for students to engage, learn, and showcase their talents.
The event featured a vibrant lineup of competitions including Multiverse of Colours, Piston Cup, Colours of Culture, Grey Scale, Click n Sell, Travel Tales, and Beyond the Blueprint. Each competition was uniquely crafted to challenge participants’ creativity and skill across various dimensions of visual arts, communication, and cultural expression.
In addition to the competitions, the symposium hosted the much-anticipated short film contest, “Cinescope”, which provided young filmmakers an opportunity to present their stories to a wider audience. Complementing the contest was a professional short film workshop, where industry experts shared their insights and real-world experiences, offering students valuable exposure to the art and craft of filmmaking.
The festive vibe of Monocle 25’ extended beyond competitions, with around ten lively stalls spread across the campus. These stalls became buzzing hangout spots where students could unwind, collect memories, and enjoy lighthearted moments with friends. From Polaroid snapshots and cosmetic booths to tattoo corners and quirky merchandise, the stalls added a colorful and relaxed dimension to the otherwise competitive environment, making the event a perfect blend of learning, networking, and fun.
Day 1: Inauguration, Debate, and Short Film Screening
Monocle 25’ began with an inaugural ceremony on April 8, 2025. After the welcome, the first event of the day was “Fight Club”, a movie debate where participants discussed and defended their views on popular films. The event was conducted from 10 AM to 11:30 AM and was headed by Athreya Chatty and Yogesh. Though there were no official winners, two participants were given special mentions for their performance and unique perspectives.
After a short lunch break, the focus moved to the short film competition, “Cinescope”, which took place from 1 PM to 4 PM in Gallery Hall 3. Around eight student-made short films were screened in front of a large audience. The films were judged by director Mr. Nirmal Nimi, who appreciated the efforts and creativity of the student filmmakers. Two entries were given special mentions along with the announcement of the top two positions. The event was well-received and provided a great platform for budding filmmakers to showcase their work. The event was led by Sabari Vathsan and Dinesh Kumar.
Day 2: Workshop and Valedictory
On the second day, April 9, a short film workshop was held from 9 AM to 12:40 PM in Gallery Hall 1. It was led by a special guest team headed by Mr. Manimaran, a well-known screenwriter. The session covered various aspects of filmmaking such as story development, screenplay writing, visual storytelling, and basic direction. The workshop was interactive and informative, and students were able to ask questions and learn directly from experienced professionals. The event was coordinated by A. Santo Briana.
After the workshop, the Dean, Dr. Sakthi Ganesh, attended the event and gave a short speech appreciating the efforts of the Camogenics Club and the involvement of students. This was followed by the prize distribution ceremony, where winners of all events were awarded certificates and cash prizes. Mementos were presented to the chief guests. The event ended with a group photograph including all the participants, guests, and organizing members, bringing Monocle 25’ to a successful close.
Events and Winners
- Multiverse of Colours (Event Heads: Pradeep and Mukunth)
1st Prize – Raavi Chandrasekhar
2nd Prize – Balamurugan S - Piston Cup (Event Heads: Navin and Karthikeyan)
1st Prize – Kanishk Muhil
2nd Prize – Harsh - Colours of Culture (Event Heads: Deekshitha and Dakshini)
1st Prize – Chandrasekhar
2nd Prize – Sreeram - Grey Scale (Event Heads: Asvitha and Pradeep)
1st Prize – Navin Kumar
2nd Prize – Desigan T - Click n Sell (Event Heads: Saindhavi and Shamitha)
1st Prize – Thiyagashri
2nd Prize – Shreeram Kalathil - Travel Tales (Event Heads: Navya and Sujitha)
1st Prize – Sai Varshini
2nd Prize – M. Kannan - Beyond the Blueprint (Event Heads: Keerthana and Afra Fathima)
1st Prize – Aryan Yadav
2nd Prize – Nishil
Stalls and Student Participation
Ten different stalls were set up in the college, including a photo booth, tattoo stall, cosmetic stall, and others. These stalls gave students a chance to relax and enjoy the event between competitions and sessions. They also attracted a good number of students and contributed to the lively atmosphere on campus. The event received good sponsor support and had a strong response from students both in terms of participation and audience turnout. Many students registered on the spot, and the enthusiasm throughout both days was evident in every corner of the college.
Conclusion
Monocle 25’ was a successful and memorable event that brought out the creativity and talents of the students. The Camogenics Club managed to create an experience that was not only educational but also fun and interactive. The symposium served its purpose of giving students a platform to express themselves, learn new skills, and enjoy the process of collaboration and creation.
