The South Asian Film Festival (SAFF) with the theme of dissolving boundaries is one of very few festivals, designed for a larger socio-cultural and political objective and this sets it apart from the other festivals. The first ever 'Annual South Asian Film Festival… dissolving boundaries’, organised by South Asia Foundation in New Delhi from October 24 to 30, 2006, has now become a major film related event in the region.
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The first ever 'Annual South Asian Film Festival… dissolving boundaries’, organised by South Asia Foundation in New Delhi from October 24 to 30, 2006, has now become a major film related event in the region. SAFF, being the most prestigious and only South Asian Film related cultural event to bring the South Asian countries together, is receiving tremendous support from the film fraternity of the entire region. The aim of the Festival is to forge an environment of peace and harmony among the countries in the region. Further, its objective is to provide a forum for film-makers to discuss their work, exchange creative and technical expertise in film-making, ensure the participation of policy planners and opinion makers and facilitate marketing of films from the countries within the region that will enhance mutual trade opportunities. The idea is also to ensure that the emergence of Indian Cinema in the global entertainment scenario is treated as an opportunity and not a threat, so that a niche of South Asian films is developed in the region.
The SAFF has been receiving support & participation from all the eight South Asian countries - Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives, Pakistan, Bhutan & India. While the Festival has been receiving support from the entire South Asian film industry, the support from the Indian film industry is exceptionally commendable.
With a focus on promoting peace and harmony, SAFF creates unparalleled experience for filmmakers and its audience. The 4th Annual South Asian Film Festival will take place from June 26-29, 2009 in Goa.
More than 50 films from these countries will be screened during saff goa, including special screening of Iranian films. The Opening night will experience a blockbuster film from Maldives.
Five categories of films will be screened at the festival that includes Classic Films, Short Films, Documentary Films, Retrospective Films and Popular Films. The festival will feature, films from all era’s, from Raj Kapoor to Pooja Bhatt. It will also include some of the internationally acclaimed and award winning films. The festival will also feature contemporary films like Dhokha, The Promised Land, Fashion and many more.
A host of celebrities from the South Asian film fraternity like Prasanna Vithanage, Enamul Karim Nirjhar, Fathimath Nahula, Abdul Faththah, Nakim Uddin, Aniruddha Roy Chawdhury, Gautam Ghose, Mahesh Bhatt, Pooja Bhatt, Sudhir Mishra, Shyam Benegal, Manisha Koirala, Randhir Kapoor, , Mohit Suri, Madhur Bhandarkar, Rahul Bose, Raima Sen and many others are expected to be a part of the Festival.
The Entertainment Society of Goa and Kala Academy of Goa are collaborating with the Foundation, the screening will be held in both the venues. The Government of Goa and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) are co-sponsors to this Festival.
During the festival, a Seminar on South Asian Cinema in Global context will be organised with the participating delegates from the South Asian Countries and other side events. A Fashion Show on Khadi & India’s fashion scenario will be showcased during the saff-goa on the inaugural day. The show will highlight the authenticity and implications that Khadi carries with its brand image & the message of self-reliance and sustainable model of development that Gandhiji propagated in the world.
For four exhilarating days, directors, filmmakers, industry professionals, movie lovers and media will attend and watch the very best in South Asian cinema. The Festival will give audiences of all ages and cultures a chance to discover South Asian culture.
The South Asia Foundation (SAF) is a non-profit organization, that is hosting the South Asian Film Festival and has been working, for over two decades, through various initiatives to improve the people to people contact and cooperation within South Asia. It has worked with artisans, cultural and social activists, policy planners, artists, filmmakers, NGO’s et al to design and implement programs that yield sustainable results.
South Asia Foundation is a voluntary development organisation, apart from social development work it is also involved in cultural activities such as film making & organising film festival. Our first documentary film was directed by the well known director "Goutam Ghose" And received national award in 2002 for the same film.
The Foundation, through its interaction with a cross section of people in the region over the years, has come to the conclusion that films are the single most effective medium for improving communication and co-operation within the region. The influence of films on the psyche of the masses is enormous. It can be used for reinforcing the initiatives that are already underway for generating peace and harmony. There is a need to support and showcase the products of this medium to generate appreciation for the socio-cultural norms that exist in each country of the region. Improved understanding at the peoples’ level will result in a better government-to-government interaction and will also open up and increase opportunities for trade and investment.
