2011 New York Indian Film Fest

The 11th Annual New York Indian Film Festival is back with a bang featuring an eclectic mix of film screenings, discussions, industry panels, late-night parties, an awards ceremony, and gala red carpet events.

"NYIFF energises New York City`s diversity by presenting amazing independent and diaspora films from the Indian subcontinent while keeping a close watch on Bollywood`s foray into alternate cinema," said IAAC Executive Director Aroon Shivdasani.

Launched in 2001, the New York Film Festival (NYIFF) was initiated in a bid to facilitate better understanding of the people and stories from the Indian subcontinent by showcasing feature films, shorts and documentaries from that region and its Diaspora.

The annual NYIFF ceremony presents an array of opportunities to network with artists and leaders from the global film industry, and to witness the rich and vibrant Indian film culture.

Whilst the popular New York Indian Film Festival is scheduled to be hosted at New York City`s prestigious Paris Theatre, the star-studded evening’s closing night selection on 8 May for the 11th annual edition of the Indo-American Arts Council`s festival in Manhattan is Rituparno Ghosh`s "Noukadubi", an adaptation of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore`s acclaimed novel, starring sisters Riya and Raima Sen. This will be followed-up by a special tribute to Tagore who was born 150 years ago on that day.

"The three film highlights of our eleventh annual film festival represent a Hollywood studio`s Indian social cinema, independent cinema, as well as a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore," said Shivdasani.

The festival will kick-off on May 4 with the Opening Night premiere of "Do Dooni Chaar"- a North American premiere of Disney`s critically acclaimed family comedy that will be graced by special guests Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh and Habib Faisal.

"Do Dooni Chaar" starring the legendary celeb-couple Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, has been directed by

Habib Faisal.  

The film which has earned some of the best reviews of any Hindi film in recent years, earmarks Hollywood studio`s first live-action production in India.

"Do Dooni Chaar” is a charming and sweet indie film that reflects the realities of a middle-class family in modern day Delhi," says NYIFF Director Aseem Chhabra.

"Written and directed by first time filmmaker Habib Faisal, the film is a perfect blend of authentic dialogues, characters and situations, with a touch of Bollywood charm. It is a great example of India`s new emerging cinema that has an indie soul, but working within the framework of Bollywood."

Aparna Sen`s Bengali film "Iti Mrinalini" featuring Sen and her daughter Konkona Sen Sharma, both playing the same title role at different ages, will premiere as the Centrepiece selection.

"Major American studios partnering with India have flirted with NYIFF in the past - Fox Searchlight, Sony, Miramax, and now Disney`s contribution to our 2011 Opening Night - `Do Dooni Chaar`," said Shivdasani. "Clearly NYIFF is the best platform for these films to reach their ideal demographic market."

“Slumdog Millionaire,” “The Namesake,” and a host of other blockbuster India-oriented films had their premieres at the New York festival.

Tickets for the Opening Night of the New York Indian Film Festival will be available from March 20 while tickets for all other screenings and events will be available starting April 10.

References:

http://spicezee.zeenews.com/articles/story83389.htm

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