12th Kolkata Film Festival from November 10-17

Kolkata, Nov 4 (UNI) The 12th Kolkata (International) Film Festival, one of the most prominent cultural events in the country, begins here on November ten to screen a record number of 225 films from 53 countries.

Announcing the final format of the eight-day extravaganza, to be shown in eight cinema halls in the city, West Bengal Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and noted actor Soumitra Chatterjee, Chairman of the Festival Committee here tonight said world famous Danish Filmmaker Andres Thomas Jensen's latest movie (2005) ''Adam's Apple'' would be shown as the opening film of the festival.

Stating that Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi would formally inaugurate the festival next Friday in presence of renowned film maker Mrinal Sen the Chief minister, who actives interest in the festival preparations, said of the total 225 films, Europe had the largest contribution with maximum 130 movies coming from 28 countries, followed by 56 films from 14 Asian countries, 18 films from five Latin American countries, 13 films from three North American countries, three films from two African countries and five films from one Oceania country.

He said world famous Chilian Director Miguel Liting along with 90 other film dignitaries from around the world would attend the festival and take part in several film related seminars and workshops during the event.

Highlighting 12 different categories of the festival, Mr Bhattacherjee said they had been divided into International Cinema, Great Masters, Look Back in Wonder, Discovery, AllTime Great Films, Celluloid Diamonds, Celluloid Pearls, Special Tributes, Homage, Indian Select and Childrens' Films sections among others.

When the Chief Minister's attention was drawn towards almost simultaneous holding of the ''37th International Film Festival of India'' in Goa from November 23, Mr Bhattacherjee minced no words in criticising the Central policy in this regard.

Reiterating his strong opposition in declaring Goa as the permanent venue for the annual International Film Festival, the Chief Minister blamed the Centre for allegedly turning the film festival in Goa as a ''Tourism festival''.

But, he said, this did not deter the city from holding the ''country's most prestigious film festival'' without any central assistance even as its annual budget ran into more than Rs one crore.

''We are even planning to hold a mini-international film festival in Siliguri and Burdwan besides in Barasat later this month to meet the long standing demand from large cine buffs in districts'', the Chief Minister flanked by Mr Chatterjee said.

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