It has been a long two year sabbatical for Osian’s-Cinefan. Now, the 13th Edition of ‪‎Osian’s-Cinefan (Part 1) introduces African Cinema for the first time to the already established Indian, Asian and Arab Sections.

Says Neville Tuli, Chairman, Osian’s Group and the driving force behind Osianama.com, India has had a relatively weak and apathetic attitude towards world cinema, especially African, absorbed in its own escapism, and so naturally the development of a sensitive and quality-conscious cinematic culture becomes very difficult despite a deep love for cinema. They are radically very different concepts. Passion for cinema is necessary but not sufficient for cinematic culture to develop. Nurturing this sensitivity must become an imperative of all members of the film fraternity if we are to truly grow into a global cinematic force.

There is a lot in store at the Cinefan Festival, this year. Aruna Vasudev is being honored with the 1st Osianama Lifetime Achievement Award for Nurturing Cinematic Culture. Panel discussions on various facets of the Film Festival with leaders such as Aruna, Swarna Mallawarachchi, Bina Paul, Anurag Kashyap, N. Vidyashankar, Uma da Cunha, Latika Padgaonkar, Indu Shrikent and Neville Tuli will take place.

The 9 pm film on the opening day is the much acclaimed Wadjda [Saudi Arabia 2012, 98 mins] the first feature film made by a female film director from Saudi Arabia.  Mar 5 sees 20 Fingers by Maina Akbari at 12, Moolaade by Ousmane Sembene at 2, Two Women by Tabmineb Milani at 4.30. pane discussion on Role of Cinema in Helping Women Overcome Abuse, Violence and Injustice at 6.30pm followed by Track 143 by Narges Abyar at 9pm. Mar 6 will see Under The Skin of The City at 12, followed by Hush! Girls Don’t Scream by Puran Derakhsbandeb, Surname Viet Given Name Nam by Trinh T. Minh-ha at 4pm, Panel Discussion on The Hypocrises and Double Standards of the Depictions of the Female Sexuality in Cinema – What is the Way Forward? At 7pm followed by Life Above All at 9pm.   And of course, the much-awaited Jai Gangajal premiere will take place on March 7 at Osianama at Liberty.

Open Entry to all, seating is on a first come first seated basis. 

Please log on to www.osianama.com for Film Screening Schedules, the film knowledge-base and further details.