Celebrating the theme of 'women empowerment', the fifth edition of theIndian Film Festival of Melbourne 2016today kicked off with the screening of Leena Yadav's drama"Parched" as its opening film.
The festival, dubbed as the largest Indianfilmfestival of the southern hemisphere, will screen over 50 films in 17 languages from India and the subcontinent over the next 12 days.
Besides screening, the fest will also holdseveral special events includingflag hoisting event, master classes and a special awards night tomorrow.
The festival was officiallylaunched this morning in presence of Consulate General of India in Melbourne Manika Jain and Festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange at a press conferencepresided byRishi Kapoor, who is alsothis year's chiefguest of the festival, along with Richa Chadha, Radhika Apte,Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, filmmakerLeena Yadav and Shakun Batra.
The state's minister for creative industries Martin Foley, also present on the occasion,said "Victorian Government is proud to support IFFM as part ofCreative State, our USD 115 million strategy to strengthen Victoria's creative industries and cultural offering."
He said that the festival celebrated the state'slong-standing relationship with India,honoured thevibrant local Indian community, and presented an exciting program of events for all to enjoy.
"I am very happy to see Fawad part of this contingent of the Indian film festival. It only translates that we only have one secular language and that is cinema," Rishi said.
He said thoughBollywood cinemais very proud of its old-agetradition of music and dance culture, there is a different curve inIndian cinema happeningnow.
"I do see a different kind of cinema, and different audience.. Even in my father's era we use to make films which were without song and dance."
Bhowmick said the festival will see the Australian premiere ofHrithik Roshan's "Mohenjo Daro" and world premiere of documentary "Moving Bodies Moving Boundaries" directed by critically acclaimed director Onir Anticlock.
The festival will end with the screening ofPan Nalin's "Angry Indian Goddesses".
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