Delhi gears up for film fest with robots, droids and more

Bringing a world of artificial intelligence and robots from the canvas of cinema, a three-day Artificial Intelligence Film Festival will be held here from September 17.

The festival, being held in collaboration with Cinedarbaar, will show six science-fiction films that bring stories of robots and technology which will be followed by interactive sessions and robotic workshops at the American Center Auditorium (US Embassy) here, read a statement.

"The Day The Earth Stood Still", which stars Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal and Hugh Marlowe, will open the festival with its intriguing storyline about the alien landing and how the people of Earth fight for survival.

The closing film will be "Chappie", featuring Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel and Hugh Jackman.

With a futuristic setting, the film takes cinema-goers to a world where crime is patrolled by an oppressive mechanised police force. It narrates the story of a police droid, Chappie, which is stolen and is re-programmed, making him the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. The film highlights measures taken by humans to safeguard their existence.

Other films that will be screened are "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Star Wars", "Blade Runner" and "Robocop".

Speakers are also invited to be part of discussion with the audience after the film's screening. Bijoy Philip, who is a doctoral scholar at the department of cinema studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, will speak on the history of fictional robots in American cinema on the opening day of the festival.