The second edition of Lonavala International Film Festival India (LIFFI) will kickstart today. The three-day festival, to be held at Triose Plaza, Ryewoods from September 1to 3, will screen around 32 films — Bollywood and international. Madhav Todi, festival director, LIFFI, says, “The theme of the festival this year is family, entertainment and edutainment. We want families to come and have fun while watching the films. That’s why we are going to screen commercial films like Hum Saath Saath Hai, Hum Apke Hai Kaun, Andaz Apna Apna and others.”
Todi adds that the reason they started the festival in the first place is because they wanted people to enjoy the beauty of Lonavla. “Lonavla is a beautiful destination with an amazing weather. There are great entertainment options here. We want people to enjoy it. In addition to that, we have film personalities who have their second homes here.”
Todi adds that the festival is not restricted to providing entertainment to film lovers but they are also conducting free screenings for underprivileged children, NGOs and children from orphanages. “We have organised a screening for Lions Club on September 3 and several other screenings till September 7.”
The festival will be inaugurated by Mukesh Khanna, actor and chairperson, Film Society of India. The festival will be followed by a discussion with him, adds Todi. “There will be films like I am Kalam and others, which will prove encouraging for the children. The producer of I am Kalam, Jitendra Mishra will also interact with the audience.”
Todi is confident that like last year, they will receive an overwhelming response this year too. “Last year, we had personalities like Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani, Anees Bazmee, Naseeruddin and Ratna Shah visit the festival. This year too, we will have some well-known personalities,” he says.
The opening films of the festival — Hum Saath Saath Hain and a children’s film Happy Mother’s Day — will be screened simultaneously in two different screens.
The other films include Jalpari — The Desert Mermaid, Swarg, Chota Sipahi , Russell Madness, Monkey Up, The Goal, My Lucky Elephant & many more.
The official content partners onboard for LIFFI 2017 are Ultra Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, Rajshri Productions, Children Film Society of India, K Sera Sera, Vinay Pictures and Smile Foundation.
