Siliguri Int'l Film Festival to kick off from November 19
Darjeeling: On the heels of Kolkata International Film Festival, the 19th Siliguri International Film Festival is all set to be flagged off on November 19th. The 6th Siliguri International Short and Documentary Film Festival will also form an important part of this film festival.
The film festival will be inaugurated on 19th and will continue till November 26th. Around 17 films will be showcased from 9 countries including England, Switzerland, Sweden, Vietnam, Chili, Nepal and Bangladesh.
"The festival will commemorate 100 years of Bengali cinema and also mark the 100th birth anniversary of Master film maker Ingmar Bergman. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the festival," stated Tourism Minister Gautam Deb. The festival will open with the Bengali film — Aschhe Abar Sabar.
"Silence" by Bergman will also be screened. The film festival is organised by Siliguri Cine Society in association with the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal, Federation Film Societies of India (ER) and Dinabandhu Mancha Advisory Committee.
The inaugural ceremony will be held at Dinabandhu Mancha, Siliguri at 6pm on November 19. The festival will be inaugurated by filmmaker Arindam Sil. Minister Deb will be present as the Chief Guest.
"The Short and Documentary Film Festival will be a part of this festival. It will be flagged off on November 13 and will continue till November 16. Around 66 short films and documentaries will be screened. This is a competitive category for Indian short films and documentaries with cash awards," stated Pradip Nag of the Siliguri Cine Society.
The short films and documentaries will be screened at Ramkinkar Hall, Siliguri. Cash prize of Rs 5000 each will be given for best short film, best documentary, best Cinematographer and best Director. Jury mentioned award will be given for non-Indian films for best film, best cinematographer and best director.
Tasmiah Afrin and Sadia Khalid from Bangladesh and Sankhajit Biswas from Kolkata will be present jury members.
