Pune International Film Festival Kicks Off on February 13, Celebrating Raj Kapoor’s 100th Birth Anniversary
A Global Showcase of Cinema
During the festival, over 150 films from 81 countries will be screened. The event is jointly organized by the Pune Film Foundation and the Department of Culture of the Maharashtra government, in collaboration with Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari Mumbai.Highlighting the festival’s theme, PIFF director Dr. Jabbar Patel remarked, “Raj Kapoor’s films gave a distinct identity to Indian cinema. Through his work, he tackled social issues and innovatively used music. Additionally, it’s significant that Raj Kapoor’s shrine, alongside Prithviraj Kapoor’s, is located in Pune. We will also pay tribute to other legendary artists such as singers Mohammed Rafi and Talat Mahmood, composer Madan Mohan, and actor A. Nageswara Rao.”
A Focus on Women-Centric Films
This year, 1,059 films from 107 countries submitted entries to PIFF, with more than 150 selected for screening. Samar Nakhate, chairman of the film selection committee, noted, “This year, there will be a greater emphasis on women-centric films, exploring the relationship between women and society’s perceptions of them.”
Screening Venues and Registration Details
Screenings will take place across 11 screens at various theaters, including PVR Icon with six screens in Pavillion Mall on Senapati Bapat Road, Inox with three screens in Camp, and Cinepolis at Westend Mall in Aundh.The online registration process will begin on January 15 on the festival’s official website, while on-the-spot registration at theaters will start on February 3. The registration fee is set at Rs 800.An international jury will evaluate the 14 finalist films to select the best international film, which will receive the prestigious ‘Maharashtra Govt Sant Tukaram Best International Film Award’, along with a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, during the festival’s closing ceremony.
