News: MAKE INDIAN CINEMA!

The Hindi Cinema Blog loves writing about Indian films but how about inspiring our readers to submit their own film about the country we are all fond of? 

The Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has organized an exciting global film competition named the 'India Is' Global Video Challenge 2011, inviting the entire world to participate. You can be an amateur filmmaker, traveller, photographer or none of the aforementioned people and still be a part of the challenge.

The initiative has intellectual and politician Shashi Tharoor, as well as world renowned film maker Shekhar Kapur, as its promoters.  Those too shy to participate can watch the submissions from people all over the world, sharing the way they see India as colourful, creative or about its presence throughout the world To see these films click here.

Given that the competition is open to people from all walks of life and all countries, the international-minded Hindi Cinema Blog is particularly happy to relay the information in hopes that you will get inspired and share through film your view of what makes India fascinating.

Participate NOW!

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IMAGINE INDIA FILM FESTIVAL 2011 Barcelona

While Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara brought Spain into the Bollywood limelight this year, it is the turn of the Imagine India Barcelona Film Festival to showcase a bouquet of noteworthy films coming from India. The festival will take place from December 2-29, 2011. It showcases music, cinema, poetry and dance apart from the 7th art. Films featured in this year's program are:

* Veettilekkulla Vazha (The Way Home - 2010 - Malayalam): Dr.Biju Kumar. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.

* Kanasemba Kudureyaneri (Riding the Stallion of a Dream - 2010 - Kannada): Girish Kasaravalli. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada 

*  No Smoking (2007): Anurag Kashyap

* Mee Sindhutai Sapkal (I am Sindhutai Sapkal - 2010 - Marathi): Ananth Mahadevan, based on a true story.

* Dharm (2007): Bhavna Talwar. Dharm won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.

Visit the Film Festival's official website

Film Festival Program

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Wide film range at Los Angeles IFFLA

The 9th annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles has kicked off  and is offering a six-day film extravaganza to movie buffs including events, seminars, awards, parties and performances.

A debut film receives the festival's honours. Nila Madhab Panda's 'I Am Kalam' award-winning story opened the festival along with the presence of its director and the lead actor.

Other films being screened apart from shorts and documentaries are the following feature films:

PEEPLI LIVE (by: Anusha Rizvi)
THE BENGALI DETECTIVE (by: Phil Cox)
GANESH BOY WONDER (by: Srinivas Krishna)
AN UNFINISHED LETTER (ITI MRINALINI) (by: Aparna Sen)
MUMBAI DIARIES (DHOBI GHAT) (by: Kiran Rao)
I AM (by: Onir)
THAT GIRL IN YELLOW BOOTS (by: Anurag Kashyap)
THE ROBOT (ENDHIRAN) (by: S. Shankar)
VIRGIN GOAT (LAADLI LAILA) (by: Murali Nair)
UDAAN (by: Vikramaditya Motwane)
TROUBLEMAKER (by: Geeta Malik)
BIG IN BOLLYWOOD (by: Kenny Meehan, Bill Bowles)
WEDDING PLANNER (BAND BAAJA BAARAAT) (by: Maneesh Sharma)
PINK SARIS (by: Kim Longinotto)
PINK CHADDIS (by: Sweta Vohra)
ZOKKOMON (by: Satyajit Bhatkal) - Closing ceremony - HD World Premiere

In addition to film screenings and related events, the IFFLA will be celebrating the intimate relationship between music and cinema through its Rhythm Village: a colorful display of music and dance presenting Bollywood singers, fusion bands, DJ sets, Dhol Nation’s Malinder and International Dhol Champion Pree Mayall, intellectual hip-hop from Hoodini and King, and a variety of traditional and non-traditional Indian dance forms, including a demonstration and performance from renowned Bollywood choreographer Yogen Bhagat.

IFFLA film schedule.
For box office info.
For more on the Industry Leadership Awards.
For the full Rhythm Village schedule, visit this link.

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