Curtain Raiser of 3rd GIFF at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Guwahati

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The week-long Third Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF) organized by Jyoti Chitraban in association with Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Regional Film and Television Institute, shall have a curtain-raiser on Thursday at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in the city. The weeklong festival will witness international films from more than 60 countries. The theme of the festival this time is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family.

While the Country of Focus will be Iran, Latin America and Caribbean countries will be the Region of Focus in the film festival. Krzysztof Zanussi, a Polish film and theatre director, producer and screenwriter will be the chief guest at the GIFF. Along with Zabussi, ace Bollywood film maker Madhur Bhandarkar of Fashion fame will also be present for the opening ceremony.

There will be eight categories namely World Cinema, Indian Showcase, Competition Section, North-East Kaleidoscope, Tribute Section (Girish Karnad & Mrinal Sen), Retrospective Section- Krzysztof Zanussi, 150 Years of Celebrating Mahatma and Indian Panorama.

Ambassadors of eight Latin American countries are likely to attend the film festival. On other hand Ambassadors of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hungary have already confirmed their participation at the GIFF.

The GIFF will be inaugurated with screening of Charcoal, an Iranian film by Esmail Mousef. There will be national level film competition during GIFF where 40 films have participated. The best film will get cash award of Rs 2.5 lakh followed by Rs 1.5 lakh for the best director and Rs 50,000 for special jury award. Assam Government has allocated Rs 1.94 crore for the festival. Grammy award winner Ricky Kej will take a master class for the music enthusiasts. The festival organizers, have also made accommodation arrangements for around 600 students from Odisha, Hariyana and other States.

Also Read: Watch Aamis & Other Award-winning movies at 3rd Edition of GIFF from Tomorrow in Guwahati

Also Watch: Poster, Song and Teaser for the upcoming movie ‘Pratighat’ released Yesterday.