Draft:SAARC Film Festival

SAARC Film Festival (abbreviated as SFF) conceptualised in 2011 gained its momentum over the years to become one of the highly acclaimed programmes organised by the SAARC Cultural Centre, the regional centre of the SAARC established to promote and foster South Asian culture. SFF is considered the focal point for connecting the SAARC member states of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the promotion, celebration and enjoyment of some of the best films from the SAARC region. SFF is conducted by the SAARC Cultural Centre with the support rendered by the SAARC Secretariat and the Governments of all SAARC nations. Entrance to the festival is open to the public free of charge. The debut edition held in 2011 at the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka in Colombo in grandeur. As practice it takes place for a consecutive period of 5-6 days with screening of films and on the final day, the prestigious SAARC Film Awards are presented to the winners at the festival. Categories which qualify for awards include competitive category comprising Feature and Short/Documentary films. and in addition, Centre has introduced the new category for web-based short films for the fact being its growing popularity on internet. while Non- Competitive category invites films exhibiting the prestigious cinematic display of a member state and do not qualify for awards. Official nominations of films for the festival reaches the SAARC Cultural Centre through concerned ministries and channels of the respective Member States of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. On the other hand special workshops too makes its way into the festival laying footprint for interaction between film personnel's hailing from multitude of exposure.