Jaipur film fest to focus on French cinema

New Delhi, Dec 28 (IANS) The upcoming third edition of the Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF), to be held Jan 27-30, will focus on French cinema and screen 140 films from across the globe.

As many as 60 final entries are from France, and many French filmmakers are also expected to attend the film extravaganza, JIFF founder director and organiser Hanu Roj said in a press statement.

The Pink City is expected to play host to at least 300 filmmakers from across the globe. The festival will be screening a total of 143 films, shortlisted out of 600 films from 67 countries.

The films to be screened have been chosen based on the topicality of the subject, its technique and quality in filmmaking.

Of the 143 selected entries, 58 are from foreign nations, 71 from the home country and 12 from the state itself.

Short fiction, animation and feature films, apart from documentaries will be screened at the Jawahar Kala Kendra, Film Bhawan auditoria and Jaipur's selected cinema halls during the event.

The films will be shown under various categories like 'World wood-International' for international competition, 'Indian Panorama' for Indian filmmakers, 'Coming Stars' for student filmmakers and 'U-Turn Rajasthan' for the state film makers.

Among the Indian film celebrities expected to be at the event are Sharmila Tagore, Jagmohan Mundhra, Madhur Bhandarkar, Kamal Kumar Barjatya and others.

Apart from new categories of awards, a film market 'The Merchant' would be set up and a script writing and acting workshop would also be organised.