15th edition of PIFF to focus on environment

Environment will be the focus of the 15th edition of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF), which is set to regale film lovers with a rich offering of diverse and incisive global cinema. The eight-day festival, which will be held from January 12 to 19 across seven venues in the city, will see screenings of nearly 250 films in different categories.

PIFF’s director, filmmaker Jabbar Patel, said the festival would continue with its tradition of roping in global cinema experts to be part of the jury. This year, the jury members include Aparna Sen (India), Professor Jerzy Stuhr (Poland), Goran Paskaljevic (Serbia), Jorge Arriagada (Chile), Jens Fischer (Sweden), Gowri Ramnarayan (India), Bennet Rathnayake (Sri Lanka) and Narges Abyer (Iran).

“This year, we received more than 1,100 entries for all the competitions at PIFF from over 95 countries. We have two sections of films dedicated to our theme, ‘Environment’, and its connections with man,” Mr. Patel said.

First look

First Born from Chile will have its international premiere at PIFF. Where Go Old (Brazil/Portugal), Louise by the Shore (France) and Little Mountain Boy (Switzerland) will have their India premiere at the festival. The haunting nature fable, Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods) directed by Serbian-born Goran Paskaljevic, one of Europe’s most famous independent film directors, will also be screened for the first time. Actor Victor Banerjee stars in the film about how the return of a man to his village in the Himalayas causes tension among villagers.

The PIFF Bazaar

The PIFF, which began in 2002, has witnessed growing popularity over the decade. One of the highlights this year is the PIFF Bazaar, which will feature around 30 to 40 cinema-centric stalls. They will operate as an open forum, where plays would be staged and youngsters would be given a chance to perform.

“This year, the pavilion at PIFF Bazaar will be named after Dadasaheb Phalke and will have a myriad activities like workshops, seminars, discussions for aspiring writers, producers and directors,” said Shrirang Godbole, co-coordinator, PIFF Bazaar.