The backdrop of 26/11 attacks on Mumbai has prompted the organisers of 7th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) 2009 to showcase films on terrorism

The raise in instances of terror and violence across the globe and the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai has prompted the organisers of 7th Pune International Film Festival 2009 to showcase films on terrorism with contemporary interpretation of young directors.



"We are screening Subhash Ghai's Black and White which is based on terrorism," said PIFF director and noted film director Dr Jabbar Patel. He added that long with terrorism, films on man-woman relationship and other facets of humanity would also be screened during the fest.

Around 150 films from 42 countries will be screened during the festival, which starts today and will end on January 15. According to Dr Patel, there would also be a world competition section in which 109 films from 30 countries will compete to bag the title. The added that in Marathi section, they gave received 30 entries out of which, five films will be included in the competition.
u00a0
Meanwhile, PIFF chairman and MP Suresh Kalmadi said that the state government, like Kerala and Goa, should now start sponsoring the festival officially. He added the government is initiating awards for the international films in the festival.

And this year around, PIFF will have a presentation on Doron Eran (Israel), Raj Kapoor (India), Aki Kaurismaki (Finland) and Alain Resnais (France) and their films will be screened. Moreover, tributes of Youssef Chahine, Paul Newman (USA), Shridhar, Jayashree Gadkar, B R Chpora and Vijay Tendulkar (India) will also be screened.

Also, there will be cash prizes in the competition sections of the world cinema where the winner of Government of Maharashtra Prabhat Award for best international film will receive Rs 10 lakh, the best director will get Rs 5 lakh and Governmennt of Maharashtra Sant Tukaram best international Marathi film award winner will take home Rs 5 lakh. Cash prizes of Rs 5 lakh each will be awarded to best international actor (male, female) respectively.

PIFF highlights
Lifetime achievement awards: The award will be given to Sulochanadidi, Shashi Kapoor and Hema Malini.

Juries for the festival: John J Lee, Alain Corneau, Theresia Anna Schreurs, Prof Paolo Minito, Barbara Lorey, Prof Rachel Dwyer, Nilanjan Chaterjee, Shelly Page and Saraswathi Vani.