A decent start to the 1st edition of Navi Mumbai International Film Festival (NMIFF)

A humble  start for the 1st edition of

Navi Mumbai International Film Festival (NMIFF)

·         Mr. Sachin Pilgaonkar felicitated

·         Opening film Titanic Love was screened

Mumbai, January 31, 2014: The very First day of the first NMIFF extravaganza started on a decent note. The excitement was palpable as the emcee welcomed Mr. Sachin Khanna, Festival Founder and Chairman of the 1^st edition of the Navi Mumbai International Film Festival. Applause continued when Mr. Ashok Purang, Festival Director, Capt. Samir Walavalkar, Director – Business & Finance, Salim Arif, Director of Cultural affairs, NMIFF  were invited on the stage to address the gathering.

Ceremony kick started with felicitations to the reputed face of Indian Cinema, Mr. Sachin Pilgaonkar by Mr. Pramod Hindurao, (Chairman, CIDCO). Onbeing prodded to speak, Mr. Pilgaonkar said, “I am extremely thrilled to receive this honour from Navi Mumbai International Film Festival and I would like to thank everyone associated with this fantastic festival. It is a great initiative and I wish you all the very best. “

The auspicious lamp was lit by Mr. Sachin Pilgaonkar and Mr. Pramod Hindurao along with Shri Sagar Naik, (Mayor, Navi Mumbai), Mrs. Manda Mhatre, (Ex-MLC, Navi Mumbai), Actor Rakesh Bedi along with jury members Mr. Marc Baschet, Mr. Imtiaz Hussain and Ms. Rohini Hattanagadi.

Shri Sagar Naik, (Mayor, Navi Mumbai) said, " I am very happy that a festival of this stature is taking place in Navi Mumbai.  I am happy to know that NMIFF has received films from across the globe and am looking forward to a fantastic three days of the festival.” he also promised to help this festival gain greater stature in the years to come by providing greater support from next year onwards.

Mr. Sachin Khanna, founder, NMIFF said, “After attending several film festival across the country, I always wanted to do something for Navi Mumbai and that is how NMIFF was born. We have received great support from Manda tai, Pramodji, Sagarji and from the people of Navi Mumbai.

Mr Hinduroa, CIDCO Chairman, also promised easier access to CIDCO properties for the coming editions of the festival. 

The day moved ahead with the opening film Titanic Love, Directed by Mark Pressdee starring Susannah Felicity Wells, Alex Edwardson, Loxley Logan, Ryan McKen . Titanic Love is about how Lucy has found a Titanic Love cruise and wants to relive the Hollywood dream. Jack does not, they can’t afford it and Lucy is furious. Their relationship hits rough waters and Jack calls on best friend Delroy for advice and a cheap alternative. The film has a talented and emerging cast from the region. The film had been produced by some of the regions finest filmmakers.

The first day saw a great line up of 15 movies like the Mahesh Manjrekar produced film Satnaagat, Directed by Raju Parsekar in the feature film category,  L'appuntamento, a film by Gianpiero Alicchio from Italy in the Professional Short Film category and Jash ne Daawat by Karan Asnani in Student Short Film Category.