Regional cinema should get prime slots at IFFI: Kannada filmmaker

Panaji, Nov 30 (IANS) Renowned Kannada filmmaker P. Sheshadri Wednesday lambasted the organisers of the 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) for giving step- motherly treatment to regional filmmakers by slotting regional language films at 'unfriendly hours'.

Speaking during Open Forum, a discussion platform for delegates held at the IFFI campus in Panaji, Sheshadri, whose film 'Bettada Jeeva' was screened Tuesday in the Indian Panorama section of the festival, said that by screening regional language films in the early hours of the day, the organisers weren't really doing their bit for promoting vernacular cinema.

'Regional language films are being screened at the 10 a.m. slot. It is too early in the film festival. Organisers should show regional languages films in prime time,' Sheshadri said.

The award winning director also said that festivals like the Cannes are veering towards Bollywood, when it came to Indian cinema, which is not a very healthy trend.

'Cannes wants Bollywood films. They think Indian cinema is Bollywood-type of cinema. This perception has to be changed,' said Sheshadri, whose six films were rejected during his earlier submissions to the French film festival.