Lights, Camera, and SAIFF! The 2009 South Asian International Film Festival Announces Its New Dates: Wednesday, October 28th - Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Lights, Camera, and SAIFF! The 2009 South Asian International Film Festival Announces Its New Dates: Wednesday, October 28th - Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

The festival has become a landmark event within the United States exclusively dedicated to showcasing the very best in emerging South Asian cinema and independent filmmaking.

NEW YORK, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sixth Annual South Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF) will kick-off this year on Wednesday, October 28th, and conclude on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009. The new, state-of-the-art SVA Theater in New York City will be this year's host venue. Major sponsors include HBO, Star TV and the New York Post to name a few.

The Festival week schedule is expected to be breathtaking and demanding, filled with screenings, documentary and short film competitions, panel discussions and post-screening events that represent the identity, culture and perspectives of South Asians in the 21st century.

Opening the festival will be the world premiere of the Bollywood action-adventure film, ALADIN, directed by Sujoy Ghosh and starring Amitabh Bachchan, on October 28th at the Paris Theatre. The centerpiece film, the romantic comedy, FATSO, will also have its world premiere at the festival, which will be held on November 1st, at the SVA Theater.

This year's closing night film will be the New York City premiere of HARISHCHANDRACHI FACTORY, the Film Federation of India's official submission for the 2010 Academy Awards. Directed by Paresh Mokashi, this is the first feature film ever made about the making of India's first feature film, 'Raja Harishchandra,' which became the torch bearer of the Indian film industry.

In the last five years, SAIFF has surpassed all expectations with its track record of quality films and growing attendance. Last year alone, more than 10,000 audience members and filmmakers participated in the Festival. SAIFF will build upon that momentum this year by providing audiences with opportunities to discover the most innovative work from today's established and emerging South Asian independent filmmakers.

About SAIFF:

The South Asian International Film Festival is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting established and emerging artists from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. With a focus on dynamic, visionary independent cinema, SAIFF aims to bring communities together to support these artists and unite in celebration of a common spirit.

For more information, please visit: www.saiff.org

Source: South Asian International Film Festival

CONTACT: Aparna Rao or Deepa Khetan, Press Managers, +1-212-545-5319,
press@saiff.org

Web Site: http://www.saiff.org/

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