The first Kochi International Film Festival will come to a close today. The film ‘How Samira Made The Blackboard’ will be screened at 11 a.m. on Sunday, followed by a class on cinema by the filmmakers of the Makhmalbaf family at the Children’s Park theatre.
Hundreds of film buffs from Ernakulam and neighbouring districts attended the eight-day fete to watch films from different countries.
The number of films shown had to be cut down due to unavailability of technology to screen some of the foreign films. Festival-goers also complained about the lack of organisation during the event. Despite these shortcomings, viewers were impressed by the pick of films. Some regulars at the festival had been commuting daily from other districts to attend the screenings here.
The district administration, led by Collector P.I. Sheikh Pareed, had to step in to resolve problems in the organisation of the festival, said a communication from the administration.
Authorities said the experience would help them ensure a better show next time. Director Lenin Rajendran, during his appearance at the festival, said Kochi held great potential as a film fete venue. A master class on cinema by Israeli filmmaker Dan Wolman was the highlight of the festival on Saturday, the penultimate day. Though the timing of the class was changed at the last minute, around 40 people took part in the class. Wolman, an award-winning independent filmmaker, told aspiring directors how they could start their own projects.
