Among the city's most-awaited cultural events, the opening of the 14th Mumbai Film Festival was marked yesterday with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by superstar Sridevi, MAMI Chairman and filmmaker Shyam Benegal and other trustees of the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) were present at the occasion along with other film personalities, journalists, writers and cinema lovers.
Chinese film maker, writer and actor Zhang Yimou (House of Flying Daggers, Hero, Curse of The Golden Flower, Raise the Red Lantern) was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award for foreign film personalities. Upon receiving the honour Yimou said, “I have always believed that cinema is a bridge between cultures. I thank MAMI for appreciating my efforts and acknowledging my small contribution towards cinema."
The jury members who have shortlisted the films to be screened in the competition sections of the festival were also introduced and felicitated. The competitive categories are International, India Gold 2012, Celebrate Age and Diemnsions Mumbai. Srinivasan Narayan, Festival Director said, “We look forward to another year of bringing superlative global cinema to our patrons and promoting budding talent at the festival.”
The opening film, comedy-drama Silver Linings Playbook was introduced to the audience by actor-director Anupam Kher. Directed by David O Russell, the movie stars Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.
The 14th edition of the Mumbai Film Festival is scheduled from October 18-25, 2012 at National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) & Inox, Nariman Point, Liberty Cinemas, Marine Lines as the main festival venues and Cinemax, Andheri and Cinemax, Sion as the satellite venues. The line up includes over 200 films across categories from around the world.
The festival is presented by Reliance Entertainment and American Express and organised by Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI).