Shubha Shetty (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 19, 2012)

 

Yesterday, the 14th edition of Mumbai Film Festival organized by MAMI opened with noted director Shyam Benegal’s speech. He said this year, the festival has the best ever lineup of films. For the first time, there will be a special award for ‘Best Indian Film’ judged by an international jury. Next, Sridevi inaugurated the festival with the traditional lighting of the lamp. Present alongside were jury members Jaya Bachchan, Ashutosh Gowarikar and Ramesh Sippy. The jury members were introduced.

The jury for the first section ‘Dimensions Mumbai’ comprised Sanjay Suri, Geetanjali Rao, Reema Kagti (not present) and Jury President filmmaker Umesh Kulkarni (not present).

The jury for the ‘Harmony’ section were journalist-turned-director Bhawna Talwar, Petrina D Rosario, Ranveer Shorey, Shobha De.
The jury for the section ‘India Gold’ comprised international film personalities Jeffrey Gilmore, Christiane Jeune, Declan Quinn, Julia Leigh and director Gary Kurtz as the Jury President.

The jury for the international category included Im Sang Soo, Rahul Bose, Sergio Machado and Andy Tennant as the Jury President.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Chinese director, Zhang Yimou by Tina Ambani. Yimou said this award is not the end but only the beginning.

Anil Kapoor introduced Anupam Kher, who acted in the opening film David Russel’s Silver Lining Playbook. A pre recorded AV of Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper, who plays the lead in the film was shown soon after. And then the film was screened.

Also present at the occasion were Anil and Tina Ambani, Anupam and Kirron Kher, Ramesh Sippy and Sudhir Mishra. The auditorium was jampacked with celebrities including Manisha Koirala, Anil Dharker, Dolly Thakore, Hansal Mehta, Sudhir Mishra etc.

The festival has a line up of 230 films.

Clockwise: Sridevi with Boney Kapoor and daughter, Shobha De and Manisha Koirala