JOIN USThe seventh edition of Jagran Film Festival (JFF), commencing July 1 in the capital, received 3,000 film entries in different categories from 104 countries. However, of these only 400 Indian and international films will be screened in 17 cities, over a period of three months.
Manoj Srivastava, strategic consultant, JFF, says, “For us, the films come in two categories only — the good and the bad. A preview committee comprising film professionals and film critics delved deep into submissions for over a month, reviewed and debated the shortlisted films and then made the final selection.”
“This year the festival invited tremendous domestic and international participation. Likewise, the film selection is far broader in terms of countries, languages and styles,” adds Srivastava.
The selection also includes films that have been screened in major film festivals like Cannes 2016, Berlinale 2016. Also, for the first time, several Indian and international films will be premiered at the festival under the banner, ‘Jagran Discovery’.
Actress Sarika and veteran film director Jahnu Barua will head the two film juries this year. Sarika will head a five-member Indian feature film jury for the section,
‘Indian Showcase’ which will decide on 16 awards in the feature film category.
The 63-year-old National Award-winning filmmaker Barua will head a three-member jury that will watch 50 short films to decide on three international awards in the category.
The inaugural day of the festival will pay a tribute to V Shantaram by showcasing his classics like Geet Gaaya Pattharon Ne (1964), Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Shakuntala” (1943), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje (1955) and Do Aankhen Barah Hath (1957).
Indian movies like Talvar, Sarbjit, Airlift, Nil Battey Sannata, Neerja and Sairat will also be showcased.
To be screened under the section World Panorama, the festival lineup has Chatô-The King of Brazil’ (Brazil) directed by Guilhermo Fontes, Sievanevada’ (Romania) directed by Criti Puiu, Road to Istanbul (Algeria) directed by Rachid Bouchareb, The Patriarch (New Zealand) by Lee Tamahori, The First, The Last (France- Belgium) by Bouli Lanners, The Plants (Chile) by Roberto Doveris, Discordia (Romania) by Ion Indolean, The Market ( Canada) by Bobby Del Rio, among others.
Highlighting other aspects of the event this year, Srivastava says, Zeal for Unity, a package of 12 films, six each by Indian and Pakistani film directors, will be a unique feature. The Indian directors are Nikhil Advani, Ketan Mehta, Aparna Sen, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Bejoy Nambiar and Tanuja Chandra. Another attraction is the introduction of Cuba’s ‘Imperfect Cinema’ exposition as part of the country focus section and a few new sections like the ‘secret section’ which seeks to pull out unreleased and lost films from history.”