Women celebrate spirit of experimentation through films

Women filmmakers across the globe have come together to participate in a festival that would highlight their craft and experimental streak. The festival that began on Tuesday would touch upon diverse issues.

In its 11th year, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television(IAWRT) Asian Women's Film Festival is an ode to the spirit of women filmmakers and a pivotal point for them to discuss difficulties they face during directorial journey.

A total of 60 films will be screened during the three-day festival which will end on March 5 and participating countries include Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, Britain, USA and Vietnam.

"These films are not about women's issue alone, but they are on diverse themes. Women from Iran will talk of difficulties being a documentary filmmaker," Anu Srivastava, festival director, told IANS.

"This is why the films are leaning towards experimental genre. There is a spirit of experimentation and innovation in them, at the same time, the voice is genuine. We are trying to showcase those films that have pushed boundaries in terms of vision and thought," she added.

Some of the highlights of this year are "Documentarist" by 7 Iranian women filmmakers, Mithu Sen's "I have Only One Language and It is Not Mine" and "I for Iran" by Sanaz Azari among others.