Celebration time for film buffs

Ines Efron receiving the award for Best International Film at PIFF 2008SHOWTIMEThe seventh Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) kickstarts today and will be on till January 15. WHAT'S ON caught up with the festival's director Jabbar Patel to get an insider's viewIt's celebration time for cinema PIFF 2009 will screen over 150 films from around 42 countries. In the world competition section, there are 109 films from 30 countries and 30 entries have been received for the Marathi section. The festival will showcase films in categories like World Cinema, Student Films, Live Action and Animation, Retrospective, and Gems from NFAI. What is on the cards for PIFF 2009?Patel: Every year, we try to bring in some innovation in programming and think of different themes. The technique of cinema is improving and life in different countries is getting reflected through cinema today; it has become a mirror of sorts. Young film-makers are doing this in a wonderful manner and we see different kinds of films being made. With this as the background, PIFF is taking off this year.What is the main focus? Patel: World cinema, itself, is a sort of focus for us. This time, there is an academic dimension, which has been added to the festival. It will be covered by various workshops conducted by international experts on the creative and technical aspects of films. Eminent people like Anjum Rajabali, Atul Tiwari, Anil Zankar and Barbara Lorey de Lacharriere (from France) will conduct these workshops. The retrospectives and tribute section will also add a new flavour.How has PIFF achieved the objectives that had been set? Patel: It's a very difficult task to handle a film festival. Firstly, it's very difficult to get films and secondly, it's an expensive affair. One needs a lot of funds. But we are lucky in Pune, which has a number of industries and they have helped us. Plus, Suresh Kalmadi, a very dynamic person, has also helped generate funds. The Maharashtra Government has also come in to sponsor awards in many categories like Best International Film (Rs 10 lakh), Best International Director (Rs 5 lakh) and Best International Marathi Film Award (Rs 5 lakh). So, we have managed to put things together. How would you rate the film buffs in Pune? Patel: We must remember that in Pune, we are in the presence of the Film Institute, Film Archives, Film Society and also the young, vibrant student community (in communication and information), who are very enthusiastic about cinema. No other city in India has this advantage. We have thousands of international students here too. I strongly believe in the young element and it's a logical progression that, if they watch good cinema, the mainstream will and has to change. If you look at the industry in places like Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, you will find that most people are from the Film Institute; so the contribution is clear. At: E-Square, INOX, City Pride (Kothrud), NFAI, Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch. Registration Fee: Rs 500 for open category, Rs 300 for students, senior citizens and members of film clubs. Registration is on at the venues. Inauguration Ceremony is today from 5.30 pm and the award function will be held on January 15 at 5.30 pm.Highlights>>Festival dedicated to Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi>>Lifetime awards to Hema Malini, Shashi Kapoor and Sulochana>>New Sports Film Section>>Marathi Cinema Today Section>>Competition in World and Marathi Cinema>>Special tribute to Youssef Chahine, Paul Newman, Vijay Tendulkar, B R Chopra, Jaysree Gadkar and Shridar>>Retrospectives showcasing works of Raj Kapoor, Doron Eran rom Isreal, Aki Kaurismaki from Finland and Alain Resnais from France