Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal will inaugurate the five day All Lights India International Film Festival (ALIIFF) commencing in Kochi from November 15.
"Taxi" (Golden Bear Winner, Berlin), directed by Iranian helmer Jafar Panahi, will be the opening film on November 15, a press release said.
All Lights Film Society and Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) are jointly organising the festival from November 15-19.
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The festival will also host South Asia's biggest film market - Indywood Film Market (IFM) from November 16-18.
IFM will begin with a unique film awards function, honouring the film business and trade. The International Film Business Awards (IFBA) will honour top distributors and sales agents of International and Indian trade regions.
"Distributors and Producers are the people who contribute most to the business trade but eventually are also the most under projected section. IFBA will honor them for their contributions" said Sohan Roy,Founder Director of ALIIFF-IFM.
Indywood Film Market is sponsored by EPICA, makers of the world's first glasses-free 3D TVs & Tabs and the Indywood Film Business Awards are sponsored by Mexican group- Clayhorse products.
The fest will screen a total of 131 films from 34 countries across 18 sections. 2015 is the Golden Jubilee Year of Adoor Gopalakrishnan's filmmaking and to commemorate it, ALIIFF will screen "Master Crafts of Adoor".
Films to be showcased in this category are "Koodiyettam" (1978) and "Anantharam" (1987).
A total of 50 films will compete for the prestigious Golden Frame Awards in the festival under the categories Feature Films, Debut Film Maker's Film, Indywood Panorama, Documentary and Documentary Features and Short Films.
The films will be evaluated by an eminent jury, led by Iranian director Khosro Masoumi.
Czech and Slovak films will be screened in the Country Focus section. Marathi film industry led by Subodh Bhave and noted film maker Gajendra Ahire shall represent the Guest Indian industry.
The five-day film festival will also feature a series of workshops on Digital Film Making & Photography, Acting, Documentary Making and Crowd Funding.
Interactive sessions with Bollywood director Kabir Khan and Multi Dimensional filmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery will also be hosted by ALIIFF.