The 16th Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF) commences tomorrow (13 December 2018) and ends on 20 December 2018. It is organized by the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation with the help of the Tamil Nadu state government.
The CIFF is a platform for film fraternities to show its expression through movies, understanding different cultures, promote friendship among peoples of the world. It has been organized since the year 2003. Both Indian and International films are featured in the festival. The CIFF provides awards in categories like Best Film in Tamil, Second Best Film, Special Jury Award for individual excellence, Online Film Buff Award, and Amitabh Bachchan Youth Icon Award.
This year, 159 films from 59 different countries are screened. The films are screened in venues like Devi Cineplex, Anna Theatre, Casino, Sathyam Cinemas, Tagore Film Centre, and the Russian Centre of Science & Culture. The inauguration festival takes place at Kalaivanar Arangam at around 06:15 P.M. The chief guests for the film festival are Rasool Pookutty (Sound Designer), Director Shilpa (Singapore), Director Abu Sayeed (Bangladesh), and Director Naina Sen (Singapore).
The Tamil Nadu C.M Edapaddi Palanisamy presented Rs.75 lakhs sponsorship to the film festival committee. According to the statistics, it is said that the Tamil Nadu Government has granted Rs.3.25 Crores fund for the film festival till date.