Australian film festival to screen restored 'Manthan,' 'In Which Annie...'
What's the story
The National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA) will host the Australian premieres of restored versions of two iconic Indian films, Manthan and In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones. The screenings are part of an initiative supported by the Film Heritage Foundation to restore Indian cinema classics. Anupam Sharma, founder of NIFFA, said, "The screenings offer audiences a rare opportunity to experience works that have played a significant role in shaping the cultural and cinematic history of India."
Festival background
Bringing Indian cinema to Australian audiences
Founded by Sharma and a group of Australian and Indian film professionals, including Raunak Dhupar and Farabee Kabir, NIFFA is Australia's only national platform for Indian cinema. The film festival has recently expanded its reach to regional Australia. "This is about access and inclusion at a national level," said Sharma in a statement. He added that the initiative aims to bring stories to audiences across Australia, including those in remote areas like Broken Hill or central areas like Alice Springs.
Restoration significance
'Restoration is about restoring memory, identity'
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, founder of the FHF, emphasized the importance of restoration. He said, "Restoration is not just about saving films; it is about restoring memory, identity, and cultural continuity." "Through these screenings by NIFFA, we are taking these stories beyond archives and into living, breathing audiences across Australia." Singh Dungarpur added that the Film Heritage Foundation's mission has been to rescue India's cinematic heritage. "But preservation alone is not enough; these films must be seen, discussed...by new generations."