22 countries, numerous films at Shimla International Film

festival Shimla, Sep 6 (PTI) Films from around 22 countries wouldbe screened during the two-day International Film festival ofShimla, being organised here from October 1. The countries include America, Russia, Japan, Iran, Dubai,Argentina, Cyprus, Bangladesh, Canada, Israel, France,Australia, Belarus and Nepal among others. So far 54 films have have been registred for the filmfestival being organised by Department of Language, Art andCulture, Himalayan Velocity and Department of Journalism andMass Communication. International competition in documentary, short andfeature films and animation films would be held during thefestival, Director of the film festival Pushp Raj Thakur said. ‘Nepal Earthquake Heroes; Survivors and Miracles’ whichdepicts the live view of Nepal earthquake 2015 and ‘Outcast’directed by Graham Colin from UK which throws light on castesystem in India would be screened in the documentary category. In national category, 22 documentary, short films, andfeature films will be premiered and the filmmakers willpresent issues of their states differently in a cinematic way,he said. ‘Hunt’ film from Jharkhand by BijjuTappo represents theconflicts between Naxalism and security forces. ‘ShroudedParadise’ is the film which tells story of flood in Kashmirdirected by Jalal Ud Din Baba. World renowned cinematographerStanzin Dorje from Ladakh will present his film ‘Shepherdessof Glaciers’, narrating the story of shepherdess of Ladakh-how they survive in adverse geographical conditions.’Nisheedhi’ will represent the Telangana issue and ‘NakedWheels’ will characterize the transgender issues, Thakur said. Three films by the students of State Institute of Film andTelevision Rohtak in Haryana will be screened while MarathiFilm ‘Chaukhat’ will motivate the audience to think above thecommon lines, he said. The festival would also witness premiere of a short film’Laal Hota Darakht’ directed by Dr Dev Kanya Thakur based onthe short story of SR Harnot. ‘The Infinite Space’ by Sidharth Chauhan from Shimla willthrow light on the some of the learnings of Budhism in Bhotilanguage. Short films ‘Meera’ directed by Satyender Rana and DikshaJain from Mandi and ‘Dost’ from Bilaspur by Piyush Kanga wouldalso be premiered in the festival. PTI PCL AQS RGAQS