<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif"><b>GANGTOK,:</b> Sikkim is ready to host the first edition of the Sikkim International Film Festival (SIFF) at Gangtok from March 19-22. The festival will bring together filmmakers, artistes, critics and cinema enthusiasts from 17 countries, fostering dialogue, collaborations and appreciation for diverse cinematic experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Organised by the Information & Public Relations (IPR) department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, India and the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), SIFF aims to celebrate the art of cinema while promoting Sikkim as an emerging destination for filmmaking and cultural exchanges, in alliance with Chief Minister PS Golay’s vision of creative and orange economy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Speaking at a press meet held Thursday, IPR secretary and SIFF festival director Annapurna Alley highlighted the agenda of SIFF. Informing that the festival is being held under the Chief Minister’s guidance, she informed that the four-day film festival will feature a curated selection of national and international films along with special screenings, panel discussions, masterclasses, and interactive sessions with renowned personalities from the film fraternity, including an official masterclass with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“The film festival is not only about the glitz and glamour, but a strategic step towards establishing Sikkim as a recognized film destination for storytelling and creative collaboration. We want our Sikkimese filmmakers, producers and actors to pitch their work globally. Working on the scope of creative economy, we want to create opportunities for our films. If not all, but some of our films should get wider coverage,” said the IPR secretary.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">The SIFF Festival director informed that the festival will be held across three venues with the inaugural event being held at Manan Kendra, with a special screening of the documentary ‘Sikkim’ by Satyajit Ray. Aligning with the 50 years of Statehood celebration, the film holds immense cultural and historical significance for the State, she informed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">The festival will then move to West Point Mall, where 38 films from India, Russia, Estonia, Czech Republic, Romania, European Union, Latvia, Greece, Poland, Canada, South Korea, Argentina, Ireland, Venezuela, works by Komeil Soheili and Jooyoung Soheili, and Bhutan will be screened at PVR INOX West Point Mall. The screening includes three films from Sikkim and also two AI films. The AI films are being screened for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">On March 20, the SIFF Market will be held at Chintan Bhawan. The SIFF Market is designed to encourage film co-production, distribution operations, and industry partnerships by conducting workshops, panel discussions and press conferences, with notable names from the film industry. Among 30+ guests attending the SIFF are also Farhan Akhtar and Ambassador or second-in-command from embassies of Venezuela, Iran and Ireland.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">On the inaugural day, the winners of the SIFF short film competition will also be announced, with the top 3 winners receiving cash prizes of Rs 3 lakhs, 2 lakhs and 1 lakh, respectively. For the film festival, the participants are from Sikkim, North Bengal, and neighbouring countries of Nepal and Bhutan. The jury include Sikkimese filmmakers Ugen Chopel, Samten Bhutia, Tribeny Rai and Prashant Rasaily.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Chief Minister’s press secretary and SIFF PR and Communications head Yougan Tamang briefed on the importance of the Orange Economy, envisioned by Chief Minister Golay. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“SIFF is one of the mega events that the entire country will experience. Talents from all over the world will participate in the festival and if the first edition is a major success, we will definitely make SIFF a calendar event. This event would not have been possible without the filmmakers from Sikkim. We hope to get more people involved in future,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Sikkim Music, Drama, Dance and Film Board chairman Tashi Tshering Bhutia expressed that the SIFF marks an important milestone in Sikkim’s effort to strengthen film culture and provide a meaningful platform for creative talent from Sikkim. He urged people interested in films to come and be part of the festival, exchange ideas with invited film investors and directors and take benefit from the world class film festival.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">IPR chairman Ashit Rai stated that SIFF is a huge opportunity for filmmakers, artists and actors from Sikkim, as the festival not just promotes films but also Sikkimese culture, tourism etc. The SIFF will establish Sikkim as a favourable destination for filmmakers from across the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">NR Group founder and CEO Nitesh Rohit informed that it is a huge moment for Sikkim as the finest people from the film industry will be part of the SIFF Market. “Earlier people used to go to Mumbai for opportunities, but this time opportunities from not just Mumbai, but all over the world are coming to Sikkim. SIFF is a foundation stone for making Sikkim a film destination,” he concluded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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