Punjab Film Festival begins in city

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 30

The first edition of the Punjab Film festival opened at KL Saigal Memorial Hall here today.

A distinguished panel of grand jury is judging many short films, students’ short and music videos at the festival which are competing for top prizes.

The jury includes National Award Winning Film Director Anwar Jamal, whose mesmerising film Ëmpire of Threads - Malerkotla was the opening film of the festival. Other jury members included film critic and screenwriter Saibal Chatterjee who also has won a national award.

Distinguished Punjabi novelist and short-story writer Khalid Hussein, versatile actress Rajbir Kaur (of award winning Punjabi Film “Chauthi Koot”), Dr Om Gauri Datt Sharma former DDG of Jalandhar Doordarshan are other members of the panel.

The four-day festival is being presented by Faculty of Film, Television and Media, GNA University, in association with National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

It is showcasing noteworthy films, of which on the first day, Gurvinder Singh’s film “Anhey Ghorey Da Daan” and Punjabi hit from yesteryear “Nanak Naam Jahaaz Hai” were among the films showcased.

Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, Varinder Kumar Sharma was the chief guest. He emphasised the value of good cinema in promoting social causes and uprooting evils in society.

Other dignitaries at the inauguration were Gursaran Singh Sihra, Chancellor GNA University, Dr Prem Kumar, Vice Chancellor GNA University, Sunil Sarad, Registrar, GNA, and Gurdip Singh Sandhu (editor of Punjab Mail, London).