Ladakh film fest to focus on women, Aparna Sen to head jury

The second edition of the Ladakh International Film Festival (LIFF), to be held July 5-7, will have its focus on 'Celebrating Womanhood' and highly acclaimed filmmaker Aparna Sen is joining it as the jury's chairperson this year.

Some international names, including German-based documentary filmmaker Paul Amaczny and American screenwriter Mathew Robbins, will also be on the jury, reveals the official LIFF website.

Key highlights of the fest will include a retrospection on writer-lyricist Gulzar, curated by filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj; as well as a tribute to the late filmmaker Yash Chopra.

A panel discussion will be focussed upon the role of women in Indian cinema and in the Indian society.

There will also be a workshop for children by Children's Film Society of India chairman Amole Gupte of "Stanley Ka Dabba" fame, and a business conclave, apart from other workshops and informal interactions in Ladakh's serene surroundings.

Various known names from the Indian film industry, including Shyam Benegal, Jaya Bachchan, Govind Nihalani, Aparna Sen, Shaji N Karun, Mani Ratnam, Santosh Sivan, Imtiaz Ali, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Mike Pandey, are likely to attend the extravaganza.