15 films from 20 nations competing for top award

■ Iffi 2019 will focus on regional cinema

While showcasing the international and Indian commercial cinema, the 50th International Film Festival of India will also be a boon for language and regional cinema. To mark the golden jubilee the festival will be showcasing language cinema at the international film festival. The IFFI on Sunday announced Films in Debut Competition section of the festival. The festival which has been launch pad to several filmmakers over the past 50 years aims at bringing the best first time filmmakers of the year in this section.

Algerian film Abou Leila directed by Amin Sidi-Boumedine, Korean film Romang by Lee Chang-geun, Romanina film Monsters by Marius Olteanu, US film My Name is Sara by Steven Oritt, female filmmaker Eva Cool’s Cleo are the films which made it to Debut Competition this year. The National Award winning film Hellaro by Abhishek Shah and Malayalam film Uyare by Manu Ashokan are the Indian films competing for the Award for the Best Debut feature film of a director at 50th IFFI. Sources states selection of these films signifies to provide them with a platform compete with international cinema.

The Golden Jubilee edition of IFFI has the best lot of 15 films representing 20 countries competing for the coveted Golden Peacock Award.

The selection has been made from over 700 entries. The golden jubilee year of this prestigious film event is expected to be one of the biggest ever celebration. The festival, to be held between November 20-28 in Goa, will screenabout 250 films from various countries with Russia being the partner country.

◗ The festival, to be held between November 20-28 in Goa, will screen-about 250 films from various countries with Russia being the partner country