'Titli' to open Dharamshala International Film Festival

Dharamshala: Yash Raj Films' "Titli" will open the upcoming fourth edition of Dharamashala International Film Festival (DIFF 2015), which begins on November 5.

The four-day festival is being organized at the Club house and TIPA Meleodganj in Dharamshala.

"Kanu Behl's directorial debut was screened as part of the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes Film Festival 2014 and yet to release in India. The lead actor of the film Ranvir Shorey shall also be there for the opening," festival organiser, filmmaker Ritu Sarin told PTI.

Director Neeraj Ghaywan's "Masaan" will draw the curtains on the festival on November 8. Ghaywan will present the movie along with screenwriter Varun Grover.
The list of attending international filmmakers includes The Maw Naing from Burma with his feature film, "The Monk".

Acclaimed Japanese director Kaoru Ikeya is returning to DIFF for the International premiere of his documentary, "Lung Ta". Bhutanese director Dechen Roder's short film, "Lo Sum Choe Sum" will have its Indian premiere.

In collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in India, Anka Schmid will premiere "Wild Women ? Gentle Beasts".

In collaboration with The Japan Foundation, DIFF will host director Tetsuichiro Tsuta for the Indian premiere of his feature film, The Tale of Iya. Israel's Talya Lavie will present her film, "Zero Motivation".

Indian filmmakers attending DIFF 2015 include National Award-winning director, Gurvinder Singh, with his feature film "Chauthi Koot". Bhaskar Hazarika will present the Assamese feature, "Kothanodi", which was screened at 2015 Busan International Film Festival.

Abhay Kumar will bring his documentary, "Placebo". Prashant Nair will present his movie, "Umrika" that bagged the Audience Award at this year's Sundance Film Festival).

Ruchika Oberoi will introduce her first feature, "Island City", which got her FEDEORA Award for the best debut director at 2015 Venice Film Festival.

A highlight this year are the documentaries premiering at DIFF, from Sundance award-winning film, "The Wolfpack", which will see its Indian premiere at DIFF, to the Indian premiere of "Yallah! Underground". 

Another three-day film festival(October 29-31) will take place at the Community Centre, McLeod Ganj. It is the 11th edition of the Free Spirit Film Festival where a total of 15 independent films from around the world will be screened.

The Free Spirit Film Festival was launched by (Miss Tibet famed) Lobsang Wangyal in 2004. The festival is also known as McLeod Ganj International Film Festival. "Among these 15 films are 'Poverty Inc', a documentary by Gary Null and Valerie Van Cleve," said organiser Lobsang Wangyal.