NEW DELHI: Noted Malayalam actor Jairam said today that the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India was very important as it provided a platform to films that were among the best in the country and represented different languages and cultures.
Inaugurating the Indian Panorama Section, he said the section also provided an opportunity to cinematic talents to meet under the aegis of one platform. The actor noted that this section of the Festival was gaining in popularity with every festival and it had enabled India to be a critical player on the global celluloid map.
Festival Director SM Khan acknowledged that the Section was a catalyst in showcasing India abroad as a number of the films from this Section won accolades at international film festivals. He also mentioned that in order to enhance the visibility of the Panorama, the films would be shown in different parts of the country, enabling the growth of a vibrant film movement.
N. Chandra, Chairman of the Jury of the Feature Film Section, said the Panorama provided an opportunity to peep into the minds of filmmakers across the country who represented the diversity of India. He suggested that in order to enthuse further participation, it was necessary to carve a new section such as ‘Emerging Frames’ that would cater to the needs of those regions where the film culture was not vibrant. This would bring in wider participation from different remote corners of the country.
Siddhartha Kak, Chairman of the Jury of Non-Feature Films, said documentaries were the power and source of film making and had an individual identity. It was incorrect to consider documentary films as an appendage to feature films. Kak called upon the Directorate of Film Festivals to facilitate a pro-active policy in promoting the documentary movement in the country.
During the inauguration of the section, Members of the Jury were felicitated along with some of the Members of the cast and crew of the opening film ‘Mee Sindhutai Sapkal’ directed by Ananth Mahadevan. The crew Members of the opening Non-Feature ‘Leaving Home’ featuring the Indian Ocean Band were also felicitated. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Trivedi also graced the occasion.
The Indian Panorama this year presents a bouquet of 26 Feature and 21 Non-Feature Films from the best and promising film makers from across the country. The Indian Panorama’s opening feature film Mee Sindhutai Sapkal is based on the life of a living social reformer Sindhutai Sapkal. Leaving Home chronicles the ups and downs of one of India’s most happening bands, Indian Ocean.
