Mohali set to host first Punjab international film fest

Chandigarh, Jan 23 (IANS) Films from over 10 countries, musical nights, exhibitions, amusement park for children - all this will be a part of the first Punjab International Film Festival (PIFF), starting Feb 13.

The three-day festival will take place at Mohali, around 10 km from here, and is being organised by Punjab Entertainment Society (PES).

Films from over 10 countries like China, France, Germany, Britain, Israel, Cuba, Egypt, Nepal, Italy and Trinidad and Tobago will be screened at the fest with English sub-titles.

'I got the inspiration from Goa film festival. We also want to create same kind of environment here by joining the common man with the mainstream cinema of Hindi, Punjabi and other international languages,' Naveen Sharma, general secretary of PES, told IANS Friday.

'We will put together a memorable three-day family entertainment event. There will be film screenings, cultural activities of differentcountries, food-street, musical nights, exhibitions and amusement park for children,' said Sharma.

According to the organisers, Bollywood personalities like Dev Anand, Ravi Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Akshay Kumar, Boman Irani, Subhash Ghai, Jackie Shroff and Rakhi Sawant are expected to visit the festival.

Legendary Bollywood actor Dev Anand will be given life-time achievement award at the three-day event.

'We are expecting at least 200,000 spectators everyday. Many NRIs are coming especially for the festival. We have also collaborated with various clubs in different districts of Punjab to promote the festival,' said Sharma.

'There will be a unique exhibition of rare film posters in collaboration with National Film Archives.'

Entry to the festival is kept free.

The organisers are planning to make PIFF an annual event.