Veteran filmmaker J. Mahendran, who spoke at the inauguration of the Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF) on Thursday, said film festivals must not be confined to the city of Chennai.
“Film festivals like these offer knowledge about films made around the world. If the movies can be taken to people who live outside Chennai as well, it will benefit Tamil cinema as a whole,” he said.
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Speaking about the evolution of CIFF, Mr. Mahendran said the festival had come a long way from where it began 11 years ago. Further, the filmmaker pointed out that world cinema did not constitute only those film made outside the borders of our country. “We have abundant talent in India. Did Satyajit Ray not make the world look back at his films?”
State information and broadcasting minister, K.T. Rajenthra Bhalaji, announced that the Tamil Nadu government would grant Rs. 50 lakh to the organisers of the festival.
President of Nadigar Sangam, Sarath Kumar, thanked former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and the Tamil Nadu government for extending support to the festival. “Next year, the festival will be held at Kalaivanar Arangam, which will be ready by then,” he said.
The eight-day festival will feature 170 films, including award-winning ones, from over 45 countries.
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