The fifth edition of Nashik International Film Festival (NIFF) opened with a short film on veteran social activist Anna Hazare.
Bollywood producer Pahlaj Nihalani declared the festival open at a colourful function at Raosaheb Thorat Hall here last evening.
Nearly 200 films and documentaries, including movies from Australia and France, will be shown at the four-day event organised by the Metro Foundation of India.
Speaking on the occasion, Nihalani said the country's main international film festival should be held in Nashik as it is the native place of Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema.
'On the Footprints of Mahatma', based on the life of Hazare, was the opening film of NIFF.
It was also the world premiere of the 15-minute film, which focuses on the projects undertaken by Hazare, especially in the field of water conservation, during his decades-long life as social activist.
It has been produced by Pune-based lawyer and independent film maker Vasant Patil.
One of the highlights of NIFF is display of 22 films produced by cinema enthusiasts from Malegaon, a powerloom town near here in North Maharashtra.
