10th International Film Festival of Shimla will be inaugurated by Seema Biswas!

The 10th Edition of the International Film Festival of Shimla (IFFS) is set to commence from August 16 to 18, 2024, at the historic Gaiety Theater in Shimla. Organized by Himalayan Velocity in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the Department of Language & Culture, Government of Himachal Pradesh, this year’s festival promises a rich tapestry of cinematic experiences.

Festival Director Pushp Raj Thakur announced that the Marathi film Mrs. Tendulkar will be featured as the inaugural film. The acclaimed actress Smt. Seema Biswas, known for her powerful performances and National Award wins, will be present for the opening ceremony. Biswas, a celebrated alumna of the National School of Drama (NSD), gained significant acclaim for her role as Phoolan Devi in Shekhar Kapur’s Bandit Queen (1994) and has received various accolades including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000 and the Best Actress Genie Award in 2006 for her role in Deepa Mehta’s Water (2005).

Mrs. Tendulkar explores themes of loneliness and human connection. It tells the story of a retired widow in Mumbai who, despite her material wealth, grapples with isolation. Her life takes a turn when she finds unexpected companionship, highlighting the broader societal issue of neglect faced by senior citizens.

This year’s festival will feature films from 27 countries and 20 Indian states, making it a global celebration of storytelling. Participating countries include France, Iran, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Germany, Nepal, Greece, the United States, Portugal, Sweden, Bangladesh, Switzerland, Malaysia, Tunisia, Egypt, Italy, Turkey, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Korea, Canada, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, and China. Indian states showcasing their work include Telangana, Delhi, Assam, Kerala, Maharashtra, Kolkata, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Meghalaya, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

The festival will present competitions in International, National, and State categories, alongside curated sessions on various themes, countries, and filmmakers’ works. The program also includes film screenings, seminars, and workshops featuring experts from film institutes and industries. Notably, 60 independent directors will be attending to present their work over the three-day event.

Since its inception in 2015, the IFFS has grown to become a significant platform for promoting a diverse array of films, including documentaries, short films, feature films, animation, music videos, and web series.

By Keerti Kadam