Bollywood – the Jewel of Indian films, produces twice as many films as its American counterpart, has 50 percent more features, sells 50% more tickets and attracts double the audience on a global scale. The India film industry is both vibrant and contemporary in its approach to address not only social issues but also bring a smile on millions and millions of faces.
The festival was established in 2009 by a distinguished actor, director, writer and long resident in Ireland, Mr Siraj Zaidi. Zaidi ventured on to this journey when he got Swan Cinemas in Rathmines to open its doors to Indian films, the following week the small Indian diaspora here and the wider public participated in the screening of movies such as Mother India, Rajneeti (my personal favourite) and Paa.
Zaidi’s vision of creating this as an annual festival comes to life as we invite you to the 10th Indian Films Festival of Ireland to experience the world’s most exuberant movie industry from 15th to 17th November 2019; with free movie screening being organised across the Irish capital at your local libraries, colleges and welcome you to partake in the Festival Red Carpet Opening on 15th Nov, at 6pm at Movies@Dundrum alongside our esteemed Festival guest Mr. Prashant Jha, Ms. Parvati Nair, Minister for Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan and the Indian High Commission to Ireland.
Over the course of three days, with immense planning and hard work put in by the team the organisers assures to deliver an extravagant festival and yet again, establish itself as one of Ireland’s most important film event, by bringing well-known members of the Indian film industry to see Ireland’s alluring beauty and what it has to offer, as well as play an important role in bridging the cultural gap between the Indian diaspora and help integrate in the wider Irish way of life.
For the full festival program please see above. On 15th November the Festival commences with the Irish Premier of Pareeksha, inspired by real incidents and people, the film stars Adil Hussain, Priyanka Bose and Sanjay Suri. Telling about the story of the film, Prakash Jha said, "The film is about Buchhi, who drives children from affluent homes to an expensive private English school every morning and dreams of giving his child the same quality education. This dream sets him on a dangerous path. The rest of the film is about the consequences of his dream." Tickets can be bought online here.
The following day, 16th November 2019, organisers have in store for you movie Manthan inspired by the pioneering milk cooperative movement of Verghese Kurien, and is written jointly by him and Vijay Tendulkar as a tribute to Girish Karnard , an Indian actor, followed by a celebrity Gala Dinner featuring a Cultural Show at Reynolds Hall, the High School, Rathgar, Dublin 6.
Tickets for this are available from Daphne /hosforddaphne@gmail.com or at the door.
