New Delhi: The second edition of the Himalayan Film Festival (THFF) will be held in Ladakh from September 29 to October 3. The film gala will bring the magic of Indian cinema beyond the mainstream, to the landscapes of the Himalayas. It will be organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) of the Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh, in collaboration with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh.
The festival's offerings include the Screenwriters Lab, Short Film Competition, Photography Workshop, and Masterclasses, curated by esteemed professionals from the Indian film industry, apart from the array of films that the festival will showcase over the five day duration.
Acclaimed film titles promising a cinematic journey that spans "emotions, narratives, and cultures" including 'Haqeeqat', which was filmed in Ladakh, 'Spawo (Warrior)', 'Ama (Mother)', 'Jungwa: The Broken Balance', 'Lunana: A Yak In the Classroom', 'Por Thozhil', 'Sunpat', and ’ the evergreen 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' are part of the THFF line-up.
Besides film screenings, the festival will offer events including the Screenwriters Lab, Short Film Competition, Photography Workshop, and Masterclasses, curated by esteemed professionals from the Indian film industry.
Filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane and actor Janhvi Kapoor will be some of the names from the Indian film industry who will participate in the masterclasses at the gala.
“The Himalayan Film Festival is a great way for filmmakers from the Himalayan regions to showcase their talent and learn from industry experts. The festival will also provide an opportunity for viewers to see a variety of films and interact with filmmakers from across the country! I am really looking forward to it,” Janhvi said in a statement.
"I think the Himalayan Film Festival is very important, not just for film lovers who get the chance to actually listen to speakers, watch a lot of movies and experience something like this, but I think it is also important for local filmmakers to be able to access and learn tools that will enable them to go out there and create their film. The more we take cinema to different corners of the country, the better it is for everybody,” said Motwane whose web series ‘Jubilee’ will also be screened during the festival.
Filmmakers Rima Das, Dominic Megam Sangma and Amit Sharma are part of the jury panel for the Short Film Competition segment during the five-day extravaganza.