SHILLONG: Khasi Film Onaatah has been selected for the prestigious Indian Panorama Section of the 47th International Films Festival of India (IFFI) scheduled to be screened in Goa next month. The film festival announced its final selection of feature & non-feature films to be screened in Goa at 47th International Film Festival of India, 2016.
The jury of feature films, headed by well known director and producer, Rajendra Singh Babu, has selected 22 films out of 230 eligible entries. The 13-member jury took a month to finalize the selections. The jury constituted of the following members: Rama Vij, actress, Arup Manna, director , C V Reddy, producer and director, Girish Mohite, producer and director, Dr. K. Puttaswamy, writer, N . Krishnakumar, producer and director, Sabyasachi Mohapatra, filmmaker, Sanjay Pawar, director and columnist, Satinder Mohan, critic and journalist, Swapan Mullick, journalist and film critic, Uday Shankar Pani, writer and filmmaker , Ahathian, producer and director
The jury has recommended Sanskrit film Ishti directed G. Prabha by as the opening feature film. The best feature film of 63rd National Film Awards 2015, Baahubali directed by S.S Rajamouli will also be screened at the festival. Three mainstream films are also selected under Indian Panorama Section of 47th International Film Festival of India, 2016.
Mantra, a film directed by Nicholas Kharkongor is also amongst the Panorama selections of IFFI Goa. Speaking to this reporter, Pradip Kurbah said it is a matter of pride that a Khasi film with English sub-titles is has been shortlisted for the International Film Festivals of India at Goa. “The idea is to interpret our culture to the outside world through English sub-titles. We are proud and happy to be able to feature our films in front of the world’s film producers and directors,” Pradip said adding that he hoped that Onaatah would appeal to people across continents.
