IndiaPost.com - S Asian films big draw

NEW YORK: The Fourth Annual - 2007 South Asian International Film Festival presented by Continental Airlines and by official 'Founding Sponsor' SANA, running a full week for the first time, concluded on October 9 with a full house turning out for the North American premiere of director Bhavna Talwar's Dharm.

Talwar's directorial debut about the soul searching facing an orthodox Hindu Brahmin priest adopting a Muslim baby unbeknownst to him at the time drew wide praise from audience members. "It is absolutely amazing how fast SAIFF has grown into becoming the international destination for emerging South Asian filmmakers here in New York City," said Shilen Amin, SAIFF's President.

"Can you believe we are only four years old and we have already served over 27,000 guests! That is insane! The future is very bright for SAIFF and this is just the beginning of many great things to come, next year marks our 5th Year Anniversary and we can't wait."

The festival kicked off on October 3 with nearly 800 guests attending to watch the North American premiere of director Manish Zachary's Loins of Punjab Presents at the AMC/Loews Cineplex in Lincoln Square.

"Our Opening Night at SAIFF was a sold-out 700+ person screening," said Acharya. Before the screening, the festival presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Shabana Azmi, who also appeared in Loins of Punjab Presents, for her commitment to independent cinema throughout her illustrious career.

Through a video acceptance speech a week prior when receiving the SAIFF award due to a scheduling conflict which prevented her from being able to attend on Opening Night, Azmi graciously accepted the award and thanked and addressed the audience that evening for coming out to support her new project.

She has not shied away from working with first time directors, and has advocated on behalf of working with young independent filmmakers to other professionals in the film industry, remarked on her part in the film and her regard for the immense talent of debut director Manish Acharya. "I've never done anything as crazy as Loins of Punjab Presents.

It's quite a delightful film. Manish is an insanely talented filmmaker. He has talent in the same measures as Farhan Akhtar. I am really happy the film has been appreciated."

Among other films showcased were, John Jeffcoat's Outsourced, award winning documentary series including a widely acclaimed film funded by 'Showtime Networks,' Mohammed Naqvi's Shame.

The festival presented the North American premiere of two films directed by luminaries affiliated with the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Tripurari Sharan's Woh Subah Kidhar Nikal Gayi? (Whither the Dawn?) and Somnath Sen's Diploma.