The International Film Festival of India has begun in high style, attracting film talents from around the world to compete for the prestigious Golden Peacock award. The 44th session of the event kicked off Wednesday.
The stars are out in the port city of Goa, as well-known Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon appears at the opening ceremony. Other major guests include top filmmakers and Bollywood stars such as Kamal Hassan, Rani Mukherjee, and director Jiri Menzel from the Czech Republic.
This year marks the 101st anniversary of Indian filmmaking. 78-year-old Bollywood actress Waheeda Rehman wins the Centenary Award, having witnessed the ups and downs of the industry as it evolved from silent film, to black-and-white and to color.
The festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Jiri Menzel from the Czech Republic, whose film "Don Juan" serves as the opening film of the festival.
Over the next ten days, more than 300 films from 70 countries and regions will be screened, with "Long Walk to Freedom", the biopic of former South African President Nelson Mandela to close the event.