AAFT Showcases Cuban Culinary Delights at 13th Global Festival of Journalism
Noida, 13th February 2025 — Adding a flavorful twist to the ongoing celebrations, the AAFT School of Hospitality and Tourism presented an exquisite spread of authentic Cuban cuisine at Marwah Studios during the 13th Global Festival of Journalism & AVGC Noida 2025.
The culinary showcase was a vibrant reflection of Cuba’s rich gastronomic heritage and its cultural ties with India. Students and chefs from AAFT delighted guests with traditional Cuban dishes, offering a sensory journey through Caribbean flavors.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of the Festival and Chair of the Indo Cuba Film and Cultural Forum, expressed his joy at the cultural collaboration: “Cuisine is one of the most beautiful expressions of culture. By bringing Cuban flavors to our festival, we celebrate the warmth of Indo-Cuban friendship and deepen our appreciation of global traditions.”
The event not only highlighted the talent and training of AAFT’s hospitality students but also promoted cross-cultural engagement through food—an experience enjoyed by international delegates, media professionals, and festival attendees alike.
The Cuban culinary segment stood out as a unique and flavorful component of this year’s festival, showcasing how food continues to be a powerful medium of storytelling and cultural exchange.
Moroccan Film “Sound of Berberia” Receives Standing Ovation at 13th Global Festival of Journalism & AVGC Noida 2025
Noida, 13th February 2025 — The 13th Global Festival of Journalism & AVGC Noida 2025 proudly hosted a special screening of the Moroccan film “Sound of Berberia”, directed by the celebrated filmmaker Mohammed Kaghat. The screening, held at Marwah Studios, drew praise from both cinema lovers and dignitaries in attendance.
Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Festival President, President of the International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry (ICMEI), and Chancellor of AAFT University of Media and Arts, welcomed the audience and shared his thoughts on the significance of cross-cultural cinematic exchange. “Film is a universal language, and screenings like these bridge borders and bring cultures closer,” he stated.
The event was further enriched by the presence of key diplomats from the Embassy of Morocco: Kamal Marzouka, First Secretary, Embassy of Morocco, offered insights into the film’s cultural roots and artistic message. Said Kasmi, Minister of Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Morocco, spoke warmly about the strong and growing relations between India and Morocco, emphasizing the role of cinema and media in deepening bilateral ties.
In recognition of the film’s artistic excellence and cultural relevance, “Sound of Berberia” was honored with an Award of Distinction, presented by Sushil Bharti, Director Broadcasting, Marwah Studios.
The event was gracefully conducted by Mehak Zaidi, Assistant Professor at the AAFT School of Journalism & Mass Communication, who guided the proceedings with professionalism and warmth.
The screening marked a significant moment in the festival’s celebration of global cinema and reaffirmed the event’s status as a platform for international storytelling and media collaboration. The event was supported by Indo Morocco Film and Cultural Forum.
Colourful Mela Brings Joy and Creativity to the 13th Global Festival of Journalism & AVGC Noida 2025
Noida, 13th February 2025 — The atmosphere at Marwah Studios came alive with color, energy, and excitement as the AAFT School of Advertising, PR and Events hosted the vibrant Mela during the 13th Global Festival of Journalism & AVGC Noida 2025.
The event, a much-anticipated highlight of the festival, offered a dynamic blend of food, games, entertainment, dance, drama, and music, drawing enthusiastic participation from students, faculty, and visitors alike.
Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of the festival and Founder of Noida Film City, praised the initiative and its execution: “Mela is more than just a fair—it’s a celebration of creativity, teamwork, and experiential learning. It’s a wonderful practice ground and a lifetime experience for our students as they explore the nuances of event planning, hospitality, and entertainment.”
Organized and managed entirely by the students of AAFT, the fair served as a live platform to showcase their skills in event design, brand promotion, and audience engagement. From cultural performances to fun-filled games and delicious culinary offerings, Mela created a festive environment that reflected the spirit of youth, collaboration, and artistic expression.
The event successfully added a touch of festivity to the Global Festival of Journalism while underlining AAFT’s commitment to hands-on education and student-driven innovation.
13th Edition of Marwah Studios Global Excellence Award for Journalism Inaugurated at 13th Global Festival of Journalism
Noida, 13th February 2025 — A landmark moment unfolded at the 13th Global Festival of Journalism & AVGC Noida 2025 with the inauguration of the 13th edition of Marwah Studios Global Excellence Award for Journalism, a prestigious honor recognizing outstanding contributions in the field of media and journalism.
The award was officially launched by Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of the Festival and Founder of Noida Film City, in a grand ceremony 13 years backwhen it was attended by notable dignitaries and media professionals from across the globe. Dr. Marwah expressed his pride in introducing this recognition, stating, “The Marwah Studios Award for Journalism is a tribute to the relentless dedication of journalists who uphold the pillars of truth, integrity, and democracy through their work.”
Joining Dr. Marwah in inaugurating the 13th edition of award were: Dr. Vipin Gaur, General Secretary, Newspapers Association of India, Grigorii Pelman, CEO, Art Martian Gazebo Project & OneFuture Forum, Israel and Shri Jagannath Sarkar, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha.
All three dignitaries applauded the initiative, emphasizing the vital role of journalism in shaping societies and safeguarding democratic values. They acknowledged the efforts of Marwah Studios and the International Journalism Centre in promoting excellence and ethical standards in media.
The Marwah Studios Award for Journalism aims to annually recognize journalists who demonstrate exceptional courage, innovation, and influence in their storytelling. It reflects the festival’s larger mission to celebrate journalistic excellence while fostering cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration in media.
The 13th Global Festival of Journalism continues to make history as a beacon for the media world, drawing thought leaders, storytellers, and visionaries under one roof.
PEHAL Newsletter’s Third Issue Released on Final Day of Celebrations 0f 13th GFJ & AVGC Noida
Noida, 14th February 2025 — The final day of the 13th Global Festival of Journalism Noida 2025 witnessed the official release of the third issue of PEHAL, the festival’s dedicated newsletter. The newsletter was conceptualized and designed by the talented students and faculty of the AAFT School of Journalism & Mass Communication, continuing the tradition of student-led creative contributions to this globally recognized media event.
Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Founder of Noida Film City and President of the 13th Global Festival of Journalism & AVGC Noida, commended the team for their innovation and dedication. “This newsletter is not only a reflection of the vibrant energy of the journalism community but also showcases the immense potential of our budding media professionals,” said Dr. Marwah.
The release of the newsletter was marked by a distinguished gathering of media leaders and dignitaries. The ceremony was jointly inaugurated by: Dr. Vipin Gaur, General Secretary, Newspapers Association of India, Grigorii Pelman, CEO, Art Martian Gazebo Project & OneFuture Forum, Israel and Shri Jagannath Sarkar, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha.
The PEHAL Newsletter captures the highlights, key discussions, and memorable moments from the festival and serves as an important documentation of thought leadership in media and journalism today.
The 13th edition of the Global Festival of Journalism concluded on a high note with this release, reaffirming its commitment to promoting free, fair, and innovative journalism on a global scale.
Global Excellence Awards for Journalism Presented at 13th Global Festival of Journalism
Noida, 12th February 2025 — The 13th Global Festival of Journalism & AVGC Noida marked another milestone in the world of media with the celebration of International Journalism Day on February 12, an initiative that has been consistently observed for the past 13 years. The day was introduced to the global media fraternity by the International Journalism Centre under the visionary leadership of Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of Marwah Studios.
Dr. Marwah emphasized the relevance of this day, stating, “12th February is a significant occasion for the media community. We’ve been celebrating International Journalism Day to acknowledge the unwavering contributions of journalists across the globe.”
The event also featured prominent speakers and dignitaries. Dr. Vipin Gaur, General Secretary of the Newspapers Association of India, highlighted the crucial role of journalists and the importance of honoring their efforts. Grigorii Pelman, CEO of Art Martian Gazebo Project and OneFuture Forum, Israel, extended his support, remarking that “journalists are as powerful as the military of a nation.” Shri Jagannath Sarkar, Member of Parliament, applauded the dedication of Marwah Studios and the International Journalism Centre, extending congratulations to all journalists on this special day.
The Global Excellence Awards were presented to distinguished professionals in the field of journalism, recognizing their outstanding work and commitment to truth and society. This year’s awardees included: Rajagopal Palani Swamy, Senior Journalist & NDTV Reporter, Krishan Raj Arun, Senior Journalist & Media Professional, Mukesh Rana, Senior Journalist & Advocate at Supreme Court, Gopal Krishna Kapoor, Tourism Journalist, Shashikala, Journalist, Entrepreneur & Social Worker, Sumit Kumar, Journalist, Writer & Storyteller, Venkatesh, Senior Journalist & Editor, Kannadigara Mitra,Anant Kumar, Editor, NAI News & Secretary, Newspapers Association of India,Vishal Kaushik, Senior Journalist & Editor-Publisher, Vartman Yug,Rajesh Sharma, Veteran Journalist,Thirumalai P, Freelance Journalist & Engineer
Additional honorees included: Sachin Budhauliya, Senior Journalist & Analyst, Pranab Kumar Das, Senior Journalist & Bureau Chief, Country and Politics, Sunil Negi, Senior Journalist & Author, Saurabh Gupta, Investigative Journalist & Bureau Chief, Country & Politics, Shivendra Kumar, Senior Journalist, Aaj Samaj, Dr. O P Sharma, Senior Journalist & Vice President, Newspaper Association of India, Dr. Utsav Krishan Murari, Academic & Media Professional, Shashikesh Ranjan, Digital Media Head, Bharat 24 News Channel, Anandraju M, Correspondent, Bhuvana Sngathi, Mysore, Mallikarjun Rao, Senior Journalist, Pestology Magazine, Hyderabad, Telangana. A festival memento was also presented to Mr. Vivek Sharma for his contribution to the event.
The 13th Global Festival of Journalism & AVGC Noida served as a vibrant platform for celebrating journalistic integrity, fostering international cooperation, and reinforcing the values of free and responsible media.
Manish Shah Renominated as Chair for Indo-Azerbaijan Film and Cultural Forum
Baku, Azerbaijan – The International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry (ICMEI) has officially announced the renomination of Mr. Manish Shah as the Chair for the Indo-Azerbaijan Film and Cultural Forum-Azerbaijan Chapter. The decision reflects the continued growth and success of the Azerbaijan Chapter under the leadership of ICMEI.
Since its inception, the Indo-Azerbaijan collaboration has played a pivotal role in every major international event curated by ICMEI, including the Global Film Festival, Global Fashion Week, Global Festival of Journalism, Global Literary Festival, International Documentary Film Festival, and the Global Food Festival, among others.
Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of ICMEI, officially informed the board about the renomination, acknowledging Mr. Shah’s remarkable contribution in strengthening cultural ties between India and Azerbaijan. “Manish Shah has been a dynamic force in promoting creative and cultural exchanges. His reappointment will further deepen the cultural bonds between the two nations,” said Dr. Marwah.
Upon receiving the news, Manish Shah expressed his gratitude, stating that he is honored to continue his role and committed to taking the Indo-Azerbaijan relationship to greater heights through film, media, and cultural activities.
This renomination marks a continued chapter in the vibrant cultural exchange between India and Azerbaijan, driven by shared values and creative collaboration.
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