Panaji:
A four-day South Asian Film Festival (SAFF) began in Goa today with more than 50 films from eight countries to be screened at the event.
Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat declared the festival open at a function held at Kala Academy complex here in the presence of joint secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Ajit Gupte.
The festival will showcase classics, short films, documentaries and mainstream cinema.
Delegations from Pakistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh comprising filmmakers and policy makers have descended in Goa to participate in the event where they are expected to exchange creative and technical expertise.
The Chief Minister announced during the inaugural function that the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has decided to set up a regional office in Goa.
"We welcome the move and have already located the place for the office to be set up," he said.
He said that the festival, which is being held in the state for the third time, will become one of the leading film events of the country in the years to come.
SAFF Secretary General Rahul Barua said the festival will serve as a platform for bringing together the people of South Asian countries by the means of films, which have strong influence on the people here.
The festival was inaugurated with the screening of a film from Afghanistan on the distorted interpretation of religion in that country.
Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat declared the festival open at a function held at Kala Academy complex here in the presence of joint secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Ajit Gupte.
The festival will showcase classics, short films, documentaries and mainstream cinema.
Delegations from Pakistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh comprising filmmakers and policy makers have descended in Goa to participate in the event where they are expected to exchange creative and technical expertise.
The Chief Minister announced during the inaugural function that the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has decided to set up a regional office in Goa.
"We welcome the move and have already located the place for the office to be set up," he said.
He said that the festival, which is being held in the state for the third time, will become one of the leading film events of the country in the years to come.
SAFF Secretary General Rahul Barua said the festival will serve as a platform for bringing together the people of South Asian countries by the means of films, which have strong influence on the people here.
The festival was inaugurated with the screening of a film from Afghanistan on the distorted interpretation of religion in that country.
