IFFI: Serbian filmmaker Goran Paskaljevic to head jury

Panaji: Noted Serbian film director Goran Paskaljevic would be heading the jury for the competition section of forthcoming International Film Festival of India (IFFI), scheduled to be held in Goa from November 20. Director of Film Festival Shankar Mohan told PTI today Indian actor Victor Benerjee will be among the five members of the panel. “The jury panel would be headed by award winning Serbian film director Goran Paskaljevic,” he said. Other members of the panel include French film director Claire Denis, French-Afghan filmmaker Atiq Rahimi and renowned Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage, Mohan said. [caption id=“attachment_1229603” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Goran Paskaljevic. AFP.[/caption] In one of the milestones, the IFFI for the first time will screen a film from Afghanistan during the 11-day event. The film by Seddiq Abedi has been shot and produced in the war-ravaged Afghanistan and it narrates the story of violence against women. Abedi would be participating in the festival. In another highlight, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will inaugurate the section with special focus on North Eastern films on November 22, Mohan said. IFFI 2013 would be inaugurated on November 20 by the American actress Susan Sarandon in the presence of Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari. Czech comedy film ‘The Don Juans’, directed by Jiri Menzel, will open the festival. During the event, as many as 326 movies, including 176 foreign films from 74 countries, will be screened. PTI