IFFI to open with Spanish movie

The 10-day International Film Festival of India (IFFI), starting here from November 23 will open with 'Volver', a Spanish film directed by Pedro Almodovar and starring Penelope Cruz and Carmen Maura.

'Babel', directed by Alejandro Gonzalez (Mexico), starring Kate Blanchett and Brad Pitt, will be the closing film of the festival, according to a release by Entertainment Society of Goa, a nodal agency for IFFI.

The festival will present films from about 40 countries in the prestigious "Cinema of the World" section, including those films that have won awards and acclaims abroad, and debut films that have won critical reviews, the release stated.

ESG sources disclosed that the highlight of this festival would be Asian, African and Latin American competition section to be screened before a five-member international jury chaired by Olf de Heer, an award-winning Australian director.

The golden award will be given to the best film while the silver peacock will be given to the most promising director.

Special jury award will be given to the director of a film for his individual artistic contribution.

IFFI 2006 has nominated five curators for various sections of the festival"" Malti Sahai (Country Focus), Uma de Cunha (Film India Worldwide), Deepa Gehlot (Indian Premiers), Sudhir Nandaonkar (Foreign Retro), and Vijay Singh (Master Classes).