GUWAHATI, June 12 � The Woodpecker International Film Festival (WFF), known for its focus on issue-based cinema has included a special segment for the North East this year.
In its third edition, the festival will showcase films and documentaries from the region in its new segment.
Inviting entries for the festival, Narender Yadav, Founder Director, WFF, said that the festival is a mission to promote issue-based cinema globally and explore the power of storytelling through films to create a better world.
�In its 3rd edition we have introduced several new issues and thematic areas as well as a new segment only on films from the North East. The North-East constitutes one of the most culturally vibrant, ecologically rich and socially dynamic parts of the country. At the same time, the region has witnessed several phases of insurgency and violence. Films depicting various aspects of life in North-East are invited under this category. Overall, this year the festival will showcase documentaries, short films and social advertisements on 11 contemporary themes,�said Yadav.
The festival will cover a wide ranging socio-economic, ecological and cultural issues like environment, livelihoods, gender, health, children, art & culture etc.
The festival will be organised from September 17-20 at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi. The last date for submitting entries is July 6.
According to Festival Advisor Dr Ashish Chopra, TV host, culinary historian and someone who has travelled and documented North-East extensively, this is going to be an exciting segment and one of the major highlights of this year's festival, �India is a nation of diversity with many stories and stories within stories. Some stories are happy and some are sad. Each of these stories have some message to convey. The Woodpecker International film festival and forum in its third edition promises to portray such short films and documentaries. This year we have a special focus on the North East part of India - a land with diverse culture, tradition, music, cuisine beliefs, myths, biodiversity and home to almost 100 tribes and sub tribes. The film makers from the North East are highly talented and WFF is going to be a fantastic platform to watch and appreciate their work.�
Official Selections for this year�s festival will be announced in August. The selections will be made by a 20-member selection committee.
The Woodpecker Awards that include a trophy, citation and cash are aimed to inspire creativity and recognise the talent of Indian filmmakers who are focusing on alternative ways of filmmaking and experimenting with new ideas and issues.