Now in its 8th year the South Asian International Film Festival will present the premieres of 19 new films from India Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Bangladesh all created by emerging talents and made outside the Indian studio system that often dominates production in the region. North Americaʼs premiere showcase for the best in new cinema from India and throughout South Asia SAIFF will take place November 9-15 at the New York Institute of Technology. This year’s line-up explores cultural taboos such as sexuality and corruption as well as examinations of society in South Asia from diverse points of view. Featured as the opening night film is India’s selection for this year’s Academy Awards Abu Son of Adam (Adaminte Makan Abu) Salim Ahamed’s directorial debut. The festival will also feature a Conversation Series with Shekhar Kapur (Bandit Queen Elizabeth and The Four Feathers) on November 12 during which he will discuss the evolution of his esteemed career from Bollywood actor to Hollywood director. The jury for the Dramatic and Short Film competition sections consists of Richard Lorber president & CEO of Kino Lorber David Kwok director of programming of the Tribeca Film Festival Paul Rachman co-founder and East Coast director of the Slamdance Film Festival Cindi Rowel DVD Producer of New Yorker Films Grady Hendrix Co-Founder & Programmer of the New York Asian Film Festival and Mark DeFrancis Head of Acquisitions of Indiepix Films. For full program information schedules tickets and press downloads visit www.saiff.org.
