The Third Eye 6th Asian Film Festival

Media News

Mumbai, October 30, 2007

It took Asian Cinema nearly 50 years to make its mark on the global map. Initially gaining appreciation for its distinct aesthetics, Asian Films began bagging top prizes at European international film festivals in the nineties. In spite of the recognition received from the West, Asian cineastes continued to remain unaware of the strengths of their cinema, as most Asian films were not screened beyond the country of origin.

The Asian Film Festival started in Mumbai in 2002, was created to enable a cultural exchange of films between Asian countries. It started as an attempt to build a greater understanding between Asian people about peace, harmony and development. The festival was organized under the aegis of the Asian Film Foundation headed by film producer, and former Sheriff of Mumbai, Mr. Kiran Shantaram.

The Indian Express Group has been working closely with the Asian Film Foundation to support the Annual Asian Film Festival in Mumbai. The association began in 2004 and this year, through its association the festival will be larger and promises to reach a much wider discerning audience.

This year the festival will be held at three venues across Mumbai. The festival venue will be Y. B. Chavan Centre (Opp. Mantralaya), Plaza Cinema (Dadar West) and Fame Nakshatra (Dadar). Each venue will have five daily screenings for festival delegates.

The Third Eye 6th Asian Film Festival will be inaugurated on Friday, Nov. 02, 2007 at 6:30 pm at the Plaza Theatre (Dadar).

The opening ceremony will have a screening of the Turkish film ‘Mutluluk (Bliss)’ directed by Abdullah Oðuz.

COMPETITIONS :

COMPETITION OF DEBUT FILM DIRECTORS :

This year Third Eye Asian Film Festival is initiating another mission of bringing new directors from Asia into focus, who have made first &/or second film.

There was good response to our ‘Call for Entries’ for competition and as many as 60 films were received. China & Iran gave most response. Out of 60 films, selection committee has selected 13 for the competition.

The 3-member international jury headed by film maker Amol Palekar will judge the entries and decide the winner. The award includes trophy + cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/- for the winner.

Jury :

1.Mr. Amol Palekar, India (Chairman)

2.Mr. Philip Cheah, Singapore

3.Ms. Pouran Derakhshandeh, Iran

COMPETITION OF SHORT FICTION FILMS :

In order to search new talents in Asia, Third Eye 6th Asian Film Festival will have another Competition of Short Fiction Films (duration upto 30 minutes, on digital format) is being started.

We received 140 entries from all over Asia, out of which 10 hour’s programme is selected for competition.

3-member international jury consisting of film critic (India), filmmaker (Iran) and film promoter (Sri Lanka) will decide the winner. The award included trophy + cash prize of Rs. 50,000/- for the winner.

Jury :

4.Mr. H. N. Narahari Rao, India (Bangalore)

5.Mr. Ashley Rathnavihushana, Sri Lanka

6.Mr. Makoto Itakura, Japan

FOCUS ON CHINA :

In every festival, we put focus on one country. This year it is China. There are two films from China selected in the Competition of Debut Film Directors. Besides these, 8 more films will be in Focus.

ASIAN MASTERS OF CINEMA :

We are starting this year a new section called Asian Masters of Cinema. The purpose of this section is that today’s youngsters should be introduced to classic Asian directors called Masters of Cinema. In 1951 in Venice Film Festival Akira Kurosawa of Japan got the Best Film prize for his film ‘Rashoman’. Till then Asian cinema was not counted by European festivals. Kurosawa brought recognition to Asian cinema on the world film circuit. In 1952 Rashoman got Oscar award. Second such director was Satyajit Ray, who won prize at Cannes Film Festival in 1956.

Younger generation of 21st century is ignorant about these directors and their classic films. So we have started this section - Asian Masters of Cinema. We are screening 8 films of Akira Kurosawa including ‘Rashoman’.

SATYAJIT RAY MEMORIAL AWARD :

Satyajit Ray Memorial Award for Promoting Film as an Art Form : In India there are many people who have their lifetime mission to propagate film as an art form - journalists, professors, film society activists, researchers and so on. To recognize their selfless services, this award has been instituted last year. This year it will be presented to Ms. Aruna Vasudev, the founder editor of magazine ‘Cinemaya’ devoted to Asian cinema and founder Director of Osian’s Cinefan Festival (New Delhi) which is now 10 years old. She has retired this year from the Festival due to age factor. Last year this award was presented to Prof. Satish Bahadur from FTII.

ASIAN FILM CULTURE AWARD :

Asian Film Culture Award is instituted since beginning to serve our objective i.e. propagate Asian cinema in India. One way to achieve this is to honour the renowned and acclaimed film directors from Asia. This year Asian Film Culture Award will be presented to veteran Bengali director Mr. Tapan Sinha, whose retrospective is being organised.

This year over 70 films would be unspooled during the seven-day festival in 35 mm as well as digital formats.

The Express Group is the Print Media Partner.

The Bajaj Group, the Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai, HIVOS and Taj Mahal Tea-Enlighten Films are supporting the Festival.

Festival is supported by Govt. of Maharashtra.

The delegate registration for the festival is opened on Oct. 15th and will be on at Y. B. Chavan Centre & Plaza Cinema between 1 pm & 7 pm daily.