mff2009prescon

MFF PRESSCON ON 20/10/2009

'Let us thank Tina Ambani for her initiative to support MAMI and MFF' - Shabana Azami

The scheduled preescon started almost an hour late.

Among those present were Yash Ji, Amit Khanna with his encyclopedic knowledge of cinema, Mr. S. Narayan, the erudite and affable festival director, Mr. Amol Palekar, and Ms. Shabana Azami, whose youthful look matched her open enthusiasm for the initiative Reliance ADAG has taken to promote excellence in cinema. Among the absentees were Shyam Benegal, Karan Johar, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Jaya Bachhan, and Farhan Akhtar.

Media was keen to know the MFF's budget. According to Mr. Amit Khanna it is around Rs. 7 to 8 crores, which is a gigantic leap compared with the kind of budget earlier editions of MAMI had to work with.

The films that have wowed the festival audiences around the globe in the last one year and have won major awards will be part of the festival program. 200 and more films, from 56 countries will be showcased, with fifteen of these films vying for the Best First Film of a Director award, carrying a prize money of $1,50,000/- i.e. Rs. 75,00, 000/- . No other Indian film festival offers this kind of prize money. This is a BIG thing that has happened to MFF. Shabana Ji applauded the announcement. The media persons were too dumbstruck and overawed to respond.

The festival program will also include 15 best Indian films of the year.

There is a disappointing news. Paul Schrader will not be conducting any script writing workshop since he will be too busy with his Jury duties. Earlier Khullamkhulla news was wrong and we seek your forgiveness for whetting your enthusiasm. However, he will be available for discussions at the festival venue and in other programs like Open Forum. Those interested should come prepared to have a meaningful dialogue with the famous writer, actor, director, and filmmaker. Here is an IMDB link:-

Paul Schrader

Jafar Panahi's participation is under cloud. He has been arrested by the Iranian regime. All attempts are being made by the community of filmmakers from across the globe to have him released. MAMI officials are also trying to use their contacts and good offices to get him out and ensure his presence during the MFF.

The festival opens with Academy Award Winning Director Steven Soderbergh’s feature film 'The Informant', which has been well received by the critics for Matt Damon's excellent performance.

Mr. S. Narayan and Mr. Amit Khanna emphasized that the MFF will have a credible and effective market section. It will have well known international buyers, with global reach and expertise in promoting, distributing, and acquiring Independent films. They will be available for discussions and negotiations through prior appointment in a especially created business lounge at the festival venue.

The list of films was not announced and will soon be available on the festival web site along with other useful information. The issues regarding online registration are also being addressed.

Shabanaji had all praise for Ms. Tina Ambani, wife of Mr. Anil Ambani, who has taken the initiative to transform MFF into a major Film Festival of India and the world.

For further details go to the following link: -

MFF Press Release

For more information, contact:-

11 th Mumbai Film Festival
Mumbai Academy of The Moving Image (MAMI)
B 111, Crystal Plaza ,
New Link Road , Andheri (W),
Mumbai 400 053 India .
Tel. : +91-22-4016 8223 (Boardline) / 4016 8221
Fax : +91-22-4016 8222
E-mail: mumbaifilmfest@gmail.com
www.mumbaifilmfest.com