Film on Nepal quake survivors to be screened in Shimla fest

Films from the US, Russia, Japan, Iran, Dubai (UAE), Argentina, Cyprus, Bangladesh, Canada, Israel, France, Australia, Belarus and Nepal will be screened in the documentary, short and feature films and animation categories, festival director Pushp Raj Thakur said.

In the national category, 22 documentaries, short films and feature films will be screened and filmmakers will represent issues of their states differently in a cinematic way.

"Hunt" from Jharkhand by Bijju Tappo represents the conflicts between Naxalism and the security forces, while "Shrouded Paradise", directed by Jalal-ud-Din Baba, narrates the story of floods in Kashmir.

World famous cinematographer Stanzin Dorje from Ladakh will represent his film "Shepherdess of Glaciers" that tells their story of survival in adverse geographical conditions.

Three films by the State Institute of Film and Television in Rohtak, Haryana, will be screened, while Marathi film "Chaukhat" will motivate the audience to think above the common lines.

The festival will also witness the premiere of short film "Laal Hota Darakhta" directed by Dev Kanya Thakur based on a short story of S.R. Harnot.

Twelve Indian films have been shortlisted for screening this year. "The Infinite Space" by Sidharth Chauhan from Shimla will throw light on learning of Buddhism in Bhoti language.

A short film "Meera", directed by Satyender Rana and Diksha Jain from Mandi, and "Dost" from Bilaspur by Piyush Kanga will also make their debut in the festival.

The film fest is being organised by the Himalayan Velocity in association with the state's Department of Language, Art and Culture and Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla.