First Pondicherry International Film Festival in Sept

Over 100 films from 25 countries will be showcased at the first edition of the Pondicherry International Film Festival (PIFF).

The festival organised by Pickurflick and Puducherry Tourism Department, which will begin on September 26, will be hosted at multiple locations across Puducherry.

The inaugural edition of the festival will focus on the cinema, art and culture of France, which is the partner country for the five-day long event.

Festival director Saibal Chatterjee said the event was aimed at celebrating the spirit of independence by showcasing directors who revelled in "swimming against the tide".

The vision and mission of the festival centres on streams of filmmaking -- from shorts and documentaries, to animation and fiction features -- that focus on ground-breaking idioms and themes.

"PIFF will highlight the relevance of not only filmmakers but also filmgoers who want to engage differently, and in new ways, with the medium," Chatterjee, a national award-winning film critic, said.

Besides film screenings, the festival will also conduct art and culture exhibition, food festival and music concerts to celebrate art, entertainment and travel in Puducherry.

The mega festival will also promote Puducherry as a tourist destination.

It will come to a close on September 30.