International film fest commences in Shimla

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 26

The 7th International Film Festival of Shimla commenced today with the screening of ‘Eva’, a Malayalam short film directed by Sohan Lal.

The festival was inaugurated by VS Kundu, Additional Chief Secretary, Haryana, who is former Director General, Films Division, and Dr Pankaj Lalit, Director, Language, Art and Culture Department. A parallel screening of the film festival is being held at the Model Central Jail, Kanda, which was inaugurated by Jaigopal Lodhta, SP Jails.

A total of eight films were screened today, including ‘Ziro Kilometers’ by Shamas Nawab Siddiqui, and ‘Sumitra Bhave- A Parallel Journey’ by Dr Santosh Pathare, ‘Hatti, We exist’ by Vivek Tiwari and ‘Breaking The Ice’ by Dr Devkanya Thakur. Films by Himachali film makers were also screened and appreciated by the audience. An Iranian film, ‘12 o’ clock’ by Sajad Soleymani, also got a good response.

The three-day film festival would showcase 58 films. More than 35 national as well as international film makers would attend the event, organised by the Himalayan Velocity, in association with the Language, Art and Culture Department and the state government. The festival would also give budding artistes an opportunity to interact with film directors.