The Faculty of Occupational Therapy, MAHER made history with the successful launch of Echoes 2025, the nation’s first ever Autism Film Festival, held on April 25, 2025, at the MAHER Auditorium. This event served as a powerful platform to celebrate creativity, raise autism awareness, and promote inclusion through the medium of cinema.
The event commenced with the traditional lighting of the kuthu vilakku and the singing of the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu, setting a culturally significant and respectful tone. The Principal of the Faculty of Occupational Therapy delivered a warm welcome address, setting the stage for an inspiring day. The presence of renowned documentary filmmaker and media activist Mr. Amudhan R.P. as the Chief Guest greatly enriched the occasion. He delivered a thought provoking keynote address and inaugurated the interactive Sticky Board, which encouraged students and attendees to share meaningful reflections and personal insights.
More than 180 students from the Faculty of Occupational Therapy participated enthusiastically, engaging with a carefully curated selection of films that offered deep and empathetic perspectives on autism. These powerful cinematic experiences encouraged emotional engagement and sparked thoughtful conversations around neurodiversity, inclusion, and acceptance.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks, followed by the national anthem, leaving a lasting impression of empathy, leadership, and the transformative potential of storytelling. This national first initiative stands as a bold testament to the power of occupational therapy beyond clinical settings — using the arts as a voice for advocacy, acceptance, and inclusion.
