By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, August 30: The fourth DIFF (Dharamshala International Film Festival) slated for November 5 to 8 once again promises to bring to the mountains more independent cinema from around the world including a documentary film by a Japanese director on the self immolations in Tibet, Lungta’.
With around 45 movies including 26 feature films and documentaries, and a selection of shorts, animation films, and video installations lined up for this year the organizers are optimistic that the people of Dharamshala will throng the two venues.
“This year the programming has been even harder than the previous years because we’ve had so many good films to go through. I’m really excited about several films and filmmakers who are coming to DIFF. Of special interest to our Tibetan audience in Dharamshala is the international premiere of Lung Ta, which examines the self-immolations in Tibet through the story of long-term Dharamshala resident Kazuhiro Nakahara. Both Ikeya and Nakahara will be at DIFF to present the film,” said Tenzing Sonam, leading Tibetan filmmaker and the co-founder of DIFF.
Some of the films to be screened include Lung Ta by Kaoru Ikeya, a veteran Japanese filmmaker; Monk by Maw Naing; Flapping in the Middle of Nowhere by Hoang Diep Nguyen and Tibetan Warrior by Swiss filmmaker Dodo Hunziker.
The organizers plan to attract more local audience through ‘Best of DIFF’, a package of eight films from previous festivals, to be screened for local audiences and complimentary passes were provided to students in colleges and schools in the region.
Another highlight of this year’s DIFF is the ‘DIFF Film Fellows’, a program incorporated last year, which solely intends in giving the young and aspiring filmmakers from the Himalayan region a platform to learn from visiting filmmakers.
“This year, we will not be introducing any new programs rather concentrate on improving the DIFF Film Fellows Program by lengthening its duration and establishing specific one-on-one mentorship sessions for the participants in their chosen area of interest. In addition, we are also planning on more masterclasses and workshops in the lead-up to the festival on key subjects like direction, cinematography, animation, and editing,” Sana Rizvi, Festival Manager told Phayul.
“Applications for the program are open until 15 September and we urge young Tibetan filmmakers to apply as well,” she added.
The festival till date has shown 100 talkies at its two venues – Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) and The Club House.
The organizers are working on collaborating with different partner organizations to screen ‘Best of DIFF’ in the major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, New Delhi Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, and the Northeast as part of publicity campaign for the festival.
The five broken cameras was screened with its director Guy Davidi in attendance at the first DIFF, the film went on to be nominated for the Oscars in the best documentary film category in 2012.
