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Contacts:
For IFFLA For ArcLight Cinemas
Carla Sanders Rosalind Napoli/Jeff Smith
T: 310-364-4403 T: 323-937-7144
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Press@indianfilmfestival.org jsmith@js2comm.com
INAUGURAL INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF LOS ANGELES
CLOSES WITH RESOUNDING SUCCESS
Attendance Tops 10,000 for First-Ever Indian Film Fest in U.S.
Los Angeles, CA – The first annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) wrapped April 27 with a gala screening of master director Mani Ratnam`s A Peck on the Cheek. More than 6,000 moviegoers attended IFFLA`s 24 films during the fest`s five-day residency at Hollywood`s ArcLight Cinemas. IFFLA is the first-ever U.S. festival entirely dedicated to presenting the cinema of India -- the world`s most prolific motion picture industry -- by showcasing films by Indian and international filmmakers.
"We were thrilled to host such a remarkable turnout by guest filmmakers and audiences," said IFFLA Director Christina Marouda. "Their participation affirms our belief that an extensive and enthusiastic audience exists for Indian film in Los Angeles. Our success this year creates a solid foundation to launch the second edition of the IFFLA in April 2004."
"ER" TV star Sulekha Naidu presented IFFLA`s Audience Choice Awards, which went to:
Best Short Film: Lights for Gita, director Michael Vo`s animated short film
Best Documentary: Pan Nalin`s Ayurveda – The Art Of Being
Best Feature: A Peck On The Cheek, popular director Mani Ratnam`s moving film about a young adopted girl who goes to Sri Lanka to find her birth mother.