November 5: The selection of foreign films for the Mumbai International Film Festival has begun. The selection committee will choose 35 out of 45 films from 25 countries entered for the festival.

The week-long fete, to be held at Chavan Centre from November 24, is organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI). Set up by leading filmmakers and headed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the organisation will also be introducing a `Life-Time Achievement' award for Bollywood filmmakers on the lines of Dada Saheb Phalke Award.

According to Veerendra Varma, in-charge of media service centre, veteran filmmaker Mrinal Sen has agreed to be the chief guest and will inaugurate the festival. Chief Minister Manohar Joshi will preside over the formal function to be held on November 23. While screening for delegates will be held at Chavan Centre and National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), screening for the general public will be held at Shaan theatre, Vile Parle. However, the balcony class will be reserved for the delegates as a large number of film industry people stay in the western suburbs, he added.

The MAMI has already sent invitations to filmmakers, two each from Asia, Europe and Latin American countries.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.