All Lights India International Film Festival (ALIIFF) is proud to announce that the Oscar nominated Pakistani movie Saawan, will be showcased at the festival as part of the International Competition for Feature Films segment.

Saawan is the story of a handicapped 9-year old boy, abandoned in a desolate valley in the mountains of Balochistan. The boy is rejected by his father, intimidated by society, harassed by friends and left alone in a valley in the scorching heat to die due to his disability. Strengthened by memories and dreams of his love for his mother, he begins a perilous journey back to his family in the main city.

The film, based on true events has won national and international recognition. It has been helmed by veteran film and TV director Farhan Alam and is backed by US-based physician Mashood Qadri under the banner of Kalakar Films.

About ALIIFF 2017
After the grand success of its first two editions, ALIFF 2017 has lived up to its reputation as one of Asia’s finest film festivals, receiving well over 1000 film submissions from nearly 80 countries. Veteran Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal will curate the event as its Festival Director.

Started in the coastal city of Kochi in 2015, ALIIFF is considered as one of India’s premier film festivals. In the last 3 years, it has grown in stature, shifting base to Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. For its 2017 edition, to be held from Dec 1-4, a total of 115 films from 80+ countries will be featured in 6 competition and 9 non-competition categories. Movies screened at ALIIFF, such as Theeb, have gone on to gain global recognition at the Oscars and Cannes Film Festival.

About Indywood Film Carnival 2017
ALIIFF is held as part of the annual Indywood Film Carnival, the world’s largest film carnival and technology expo. Sohan Roy, director of Hollywood movie Dam999 and member-IATAS, spearheads the 10 billion US dollar Project Indywood which aims at elevating Indian Film Industry to global standards in the next five years through a consortium of 2000 Indian billionaires and corporates. He was listed among the Top Powerful and Influential Leaders in Middle East 2017 released by Forbes Middle East.

The Rs 70,000 crore Project Indywood aims at initiating 10,000 new 4K projection multiplex screens, 100,000 2K/4K projection home cinemas, 8K/4Kfilm studios, 100 animation/VFX studios and film schools conforming to international standards.

The 2017 edition of the 4-day carnival is three times larger than its previous editions, and will comprise 15 major events. The conference sessions include Media Interactions, Conferences & Panel Discussions, Workshops & Seminars, Film Business Quiz, Golden Frame Awards, Excellence Awards, Red Carpet & Networking Events, Product & Project Launches, Film Tourism and Investors Meet.

Special country and regional pavilions will add to the global appeal of the event, while a variety of entertainment programmes set amidst the company of national and international film makers, celebrity guests, social influencers, industry leaders and government decision makers will bring in the much needed charisma to one of the most anticipated events of the Indian Film Industry.