Report
Rai Saha
BAJMC Sem 2
The corridors of Amity School of Communication witnessed an outburst of creativity, culture, communication and youthful spirit as the institution raised its curtains for the very first edition of its annual media fest, Xpressions 2026, held on the 14th and 15th of May. Over the span of two vibrant days, the campus transformed into a dynamic hub where students from colleges across the city gathered not only to compete, but to express, perform, create and connect. With more than 700 registrations pouring in, the fest carried an atmosphere where enthusiasm met artistry and ideas found their own stage.
The convenors of the event were Dr. Anisha Ray and Dr. Prashant Pradhan.
The event took a culturally provocative head start with an elegant inaugural ceremony graced by Debashis Sen, former IAS officer and former Chairman of the New Town Kolkata Development Authority, whose insightful words reflected upon the evolving landscape of media and society. The ceremony was also attended by Prof. Dr. Sanku Bose, Professor and senior academician, alongside Akashdeep Muni, Dean of Amity School of Communication. As the ceremonial lamp was illuminated, the stage bloomed into poetry through a graceful Rabindra Nritya performance, adding a touch of Bengal’s timeless cultural essence to the beginning of the fest. It was a moment where tradition met aspiration, and where the light of creativity seemed to pass from one generation to another.
Across both the days, Xpressions 2026 arranged a wide spectrum of competitions and interactive experiences that brought together participants from various colleges under one roof. The air carried competitiveness, excitement and the rush of youthful expression. Cine Lumière celebrated the art of filmmaking with participants submitting thoughtfully crafted short films, while Curtain and Chaos created a dramatic space for performers to showcase their acting skills and stage presence.
The fest also embraced lighter and more interactive segments through events like Turn Coat and Pop Pandemonium, where participants engaged in spontaneous speaking rounds and cinematic guessing games that kept the energy alive throughout the day. Photography enthusiasts found their frame through Shutterstorm, a competition dedicated to visual storytelling and creative perspective. Adding to the spirit of celebration was the Experience Zone, which turned into a crowd favourite with energetic DJ arrangements across both the days alongside the fest’s hydration partner Monster Energy.
The second day unfolded with even greater enthusiasm as students and participants continued to pour into the campus. The registration desks, efficiently managed by the students of the institution, reflected the teamwork and coordination behind the fest’s execution. Events like Reel-a-Race mirrored the language of new age media, allowing participants to communicate stories, perspectives and independent direction through the medium of reels and digital storytelling.
The fest also witnessed intellectually charged discussions through Youth Parliament, where participants engaged in fierce political debates and conversations surrounding social narratives and contemporary issues. On the other hand, Bunk & Banter filled the atmosphere with humour and relatability through stand-up comedy performances that brought waves of laughter across the audience. Creativity and branding merged through Mark My Brand, where participants were provided with instant brand details and challenged to conceptualize logos from scratch before pitching the thought process behind their creations. The glamour and elegance of the fest found its space through Crown Affair, a fashion ramp walk competition that celebrated confidence, individuality and stage charisma.
The closing ceremony, themed around “Unfiltered: Reclaiming Self in the Age of Algorithm and Post-Truth Distortions,” powered by PORIBES Foundation curated by Prof. Moumita De Das brought together several renowned personalities including Dr. Dibyendu Kumar Roy, neurosurgeon and Founder-President of Poribes Foundation; Gargi Guhathakurta, Input Editor at TV9 Bangla; Tahir Abbas, media professional and communication expert; Joydeep Das Gupta, founder and editor of News Sense Media Skills Lab; and Akashdeep Muni, Dean of Amity School of Communication. Through conversations, byte-sized interactions and panel discussions, they spoke about reclaiming individuality in an era dominated by algorithms, networks and post-truth distortions while encouraging students to navigate media with authenticity and responsibility.
The fest finally concluded with a grand award ceremony honouring winners across all competitions held under the roof of Amity School of Communication. As the nominated works premiered on projectors and applause echoed through the auditorium, the celebration wrapped itself in joy, music and one final DJ session. Xpressions 2026 did not simply end as a media fest; it unfolded as a canvas of voices, perspectives and creativity, a beginning that promised an even louder expression in the years to come.
