First ever Ladakh International Film Festival to be held in June 2012
Organised by Monassé, at 13,500 ft above the sea level, the festival aims to introduce world class cinema to Ladakh and show case Ladakh to the world
ETW STAFF – New Delhi
The (Ladakh International Film Festival) LIFF scheduled to be held from 15 th- 17 th June, 2012, may prove to be a unique event in many ways. Organised by Monassé, at 13,500 ft above the sea level, the festival aims to introduce world class cinema to Ladakh and show case Ladakh to the world through its various initiatives like “CEC conclave” which will be held in association with the business partners to develop this largely untapped region and “Film Shoppe” which will focus on the global marketing and business opportunities of films in the upcoming festival.
According to the organizers the festival has received positive response with entries coming in from across five continents – – North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Shyam Benegal, Chairman, Ladakh International Film Festival said, “I am delighted to know about the response from Indian and International film makers for the very first edition of the Ladakh International Film Festival. This shows that festival is recognized as a important platform for screening films.”
Government of Ladakh is very pleased to know about the unprecedented attention to Ladakh due to the festival. LIFF has partnered with organization working in the areas of carbon foot print offsets and ethical practices towards the environment and its ecosystem. LIFF aspires to be the first ever “Green Film Festival” which also incorporates a 360 degree initiative and set up a system and practices in Ladakh. To boost the participation of Indian citizens and contribute to the responsible tourism of Ladakh, the Ladakh International Film Festival has partnered with J&K Tourism, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC- Leh), The Grand Dragon Ladakh , Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust and Inheritance India. To promote film screenings and the festival ideology, LIFF also partners with South Asian Film Festival (SAFF-Canada). International Film Festival is ‘Schan’- The Snow Leopard. Through its association with the Snow The mascot of Ladakh Leopard Conservancy India Trust, the Festival’s aim will be to raise awareness amongst people from all over the world on protecting the rare and endangered Snow Leopard.
Melwyn Williams Chirayath said, “LIFF is a festival for the cine lovers and this response from film makers across five continents shows the support we have got from the film fraternity. Entries continue to come in everyday and we are thrilled with this response. There has been a rush of entries Festival Director from filmmakers across the globe.”
