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NORTH AmERIcAN Newsline MAY 14, 2021 | The Indian Eye 34

The new York indian film festival unveils

its full 2021 lineup & award nominations

Virtual Event Celebrates Unmatched Breadth of Indian Cinema with Films in 15 Languages

Our Bureau We emerged stronger with a films will have English subtitles.” “For the first time, the 2021
NEW YORK, NY larger footprint as global audi- “NYIFF’s mission is to pro- lineup truly reflects the incredi-
ences engaged with the films,” vide filmmakers, actors and in- ble diversity of Indian cinemat-
New York-based film said Suman Gollamudi, IAAC dustry professionals a platform ic creativity,” said Dr. Nirmal
festival may offer in- Executive Director. “This year, to showcase their work, as well Mattoo, Chairman IAAC. “This
A spiration for its indus- with the pandemic creating as foster an environment where standout collection of films in-
try peers in answering calls for even more distress, we feel a filmmakers exchange ideas and troduces new voices, fresh per-
greater diversity and cultural greater responsibility to pro- interact with discerning and di- spectives and original storytell-
representation in Hollywood. vide filmmakers an outlet to verse audiences, journalists and ing, which enhances the NYIFF
The New York Indian Film Fes- showcase their work. Plus, offer aficionados,” Chhabra added. curatorial legacy of spotlighting
tival (NYIFF), North Ameri- audiences hope through cine- Films screened at NYIFF movies that go on to receive
ca’s oldest and most prestigious matic stories that give meaning, 2020 went out to win six Nation- critical global acclaim.”
film festival which features cin- form and shape to lift our emo- al Awards, the most prominent “In addition, we will be un-
ema from India, and the Indi- tions.” film awards ceremony in India. veiling a newly designed award
an Diaspora, announces its full Presented virtually for the This year, at NYIFF 2021, there in 2021,” continued Mat-
lineup. The festival dates are second year in a row, the fes- will be screening of three films too. “Conceived and created
June 4-June 13 and films are tival will feature 58 screenings that won National Awards: by IAAC Board Member and
available for pre-order starting (23 narrative features, 8 docu- Khisa for “Best Debut sculptor, Raj Shahani, this icon-
Monday, May 17, 2021. mentary features and 27 short Non-Feature Film of a Director” ic award will epitomize the ex-
Presented by the In- films). The lineup will include Sonsi for “Best Cinematog- cellence that NYIFF seeks to
do-American Arts Council, Inc. worldwide, globally outside of raphy Non-Feature Film” foster with its annual awards
(IAAC), and powered by Mov- India, the U.S. and NY pre- Biryaani which received presentation.”
ieSaints, NYIFF celebrates the mieres. Screenings will be fol- “Special Mention” Each of these films along
21st year of independent, art lowed by post-screening discus- Many of the films being with the complete collection of
house, alternate cinema from sions with the filmmakers and shown at the festival have won NYIFF-recognized titles will
India and brings this rich collec- acclaimed and celebrated per- accolades at leading interna- be available for viewing start-
tion of films to audiences in the sonalities from the film industry. tional film festivals. Nasir won ing June 4, 2021 at nyiff.us and
U.S. and North America. Some “We aimed to truly under- the NETPAC Award at the Rot- nyiff.moviesaints.com. The cost
films will also stream global- score the NYIFF commitment terdam International Film Fes- to view each film ranges from
ly. 24-hour online support will to diversity and cultural repre- tival and Sthalpuran won the US$4.99 for feature films (nar-
be provided by MovieSaints to sentation in film,” said Aseem Young Cinema Award at the rative and documentaries) and
ensure audiences across three Chhabra, NYIFF Festival Di- Asian Pacific Screen Awards. US$0.99 for shorts. Audienc-
continents have a seamless ex- rector. “This year, we will fea- Apart from these, we are proud es outside the U.S., excluding
perience throughout the dura- ture films in 15 languages spo- to present to our audience, films India, can pay in their local
tion of the festival. ken in India: Assamese, Bengali, that have played at Berlinale, currencies. In India, the cost
“Last year, we had to re- English, Hindi, Kannada, Kash- Sundance Film Festival, Busan will be Rs.150 for features and
imagine the film festival in a miri, Malayalam, Manipuri, International Film Festival and shorts starting at Rs. 50. There
virtual format and it involved Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punja- Rotterdam International Film are also discount packages
pivoting to an online platform. bi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. All Festival, amongst others. available.

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