Delhi Gears Up for Its First International Film Festival
The 1st Delhi International Film Festival 2012 begins from 21st to 27th December 2012
It’s a proud moment for Delhi, as the capital city is all set to experience its first ever International Film Festival that bears its name. The Delhi International Film Festival 2012 coincides with 100 years of Delhi as Capital of India, and 100 years of Indian cinema, and is scheduled for 21st to 27th December at Siri Fort Auditorium and the NMDC Convention Centre in Delhi.
The festival, commemorating 100 years of Indian cinema, will be presenting centenarian stage actor Zohra Sehgal with a special award called Minare Dilli award, for her outstanding achievements in Indian Cinema.
Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore will be felicitated by the Lifetime Achievements Award. “Delhi has been looking for such an International Film festival since a long time. I am overwhelmed that the Delhi International Film festival will serve as one of the most memorable gift to our Delhi at an occasion which marks the centenary of Delhi as well as the Indian Cinema,” she added.
The special anthem ‘Yeh Dilli Hai’ has also been launched for DIFF. The song is sung by the famous singer Ravinder Singh and lyrics has been penned down by Rani Malik as it captures the true essence and tradition of the Delhi Culture.
“We have never had a song for Delhi. Through this anthem, we have tried to give a song to our city. It is a very rhythmic number and will make people tap their feet at once,” said Ram Kishore Parcha, senior film journalist and president of DIFF.
Delhi International Film Festival 2012 will showcase films in ten different sections. The best amongst selected films shall be honoured with the Golden Minar and Silver Minar awards respectively. The festival, in its first edition, will not only honour the films, film makers, artists and writers, but will also honour outstanding persons who excelled in their contribution towards the welfare of our society and the people with Minar-e-Dilli award.
Encouraging the cultural ties between India and Pakistan, the first edition of DIFF, will also see the participation of 12 film-makers from the neighbouring country.
Film-maker Tigmanshu Dhulia, who has been roped in for the festival, will be conducting one of the three workshops.
While Polish film ‘80 Million’ will open the festival, Pakistani production ‘Lamha’ will be screened as the closing film. “Mohammad Rafi Memorial Night”, launch of books on films and literature and seminars are other features of the festival.
In all, 174 films from 32 countries including America, Israel, Iran, Spain, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Myanmar, Spain, Japan, Greece, Cyprus, Poland, Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Australia, Canada, Lebanon and China will be shown during the week-long festival showcasing world cinema.
Classic films from overseas and India will be showcased across 10 sections, including the Delhi Scope section. The Retrospective, Tributes and Homage section will include Bollywood movies of Dev Anand, Balraj Sahni and other legendary filmmakers and actors.
The World Cinema section will screen films like ‘Daughters of Hill’ by Patrizia Landi, Oscar-winning ‘The Artist’ by Michel Hazanavicius, ‘Jeremiah’ by Eran Paz, ‘Love Bird’ by Susan Collins, ‘The Sunshine in The Corner’ by Sun Hao Young, ‘Mar’ by Caner Erzincan, among others.
Organised by Social Circle, the festival has partnered with Broadway International Film Festival, Los Angeles, South Cinema South Film Festival, and JMT from Israel, Slade School of Fine Arts London, Film Factory China, the Turkish film industry, Cinetech Nationale Mexico, Brazil Films, Media Box Bangladesh, Hunarkada from Pakistan, Film Boutique from Germany, Nantes Film Festival of France and the French Cultural Centre.
The much awaited festival between 21st to 27th December will be inaugurated by the Honourable Minister Mr. Kapil Sibal. The inauguration as well as the closing ceremony shall take place at the Srifort Auditorium and the festivity will continue in the NDMC Convention centre.
Get set to enjoy films in Delhi’s chilly winters!!
