The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Film festival begins, but schedules yet to be finalised

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 18, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Film festival begins, but schedules yet to be finalised

By Our Staff Reporter

LIGHTS, ACTION: Actress Sukanya lights the traditional lamp to mark the inauguration of the second Chennai International Film Festival at Anand theatre. Director Bharathirajaa and K.V. Anbazhagan, Minister for Information and Public Relations, look o n. — Photo: N. Balaji

CHENNAI. DEC. 17. The second edition of the Chennai International Film Festival has started but the schedules have not been finalised yet.

But for that glitch, the fete organised by the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation (ICAF) appears to have had a dream start, with crowds pouring into the Anand theatre complex on Friday evening, on the eve of the inaugural film, Madhu Ambat's `1:1.6 An Ode to A Lost Love.' About 70 films from 30 countries will be screened during the weeklong festival.

Earlier in the evening, the Minister for Information and Public Relations, K.V. Anbazhagan, said the Government had paved the way for the film industry's growth by announcing concessions, rebates and grants, apart from cracking down on video piracy.

Directors Bala, whose `Pithamagan' plays at the festival tomorrow morning, and Madhu Ambat were felicitated. Filmmaker Bharathirajaa applauded ICAF for its initiative.

V. Rangachari, Principal General Manager (Development), Chennai Telephones, K. Gopalan, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, P. Sathyanarayanan, Director (Finance) of the National Film Development Corporation, U. Radhakrishnan, Secretary of Film Society of India, S.Ve. Shekher and actress Sukanya took part in the opening ceremony.

Festival director E. Thangaraj said the itinerary for the first four days of the festival had been drawn up and the schedule for the last three days of the festival would be drawn up when the prints arrived.

Adoor Gopalakrishnan's `Nizhal Kuthu' (Film Chamber, 10.30 a.m. on Sunday), Roopa Swaminathan's `Five By Four' (Little Anand, 5.30 p.m. on Sunday) and the Indian entry to the Oscars `Shwaas' (Anand, 4.30 p.m. on Monday) are some of the Indian films lined up.

Delegate passes are available at the festival office in Anand theatre.

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