Shimla International Film Festival Celebrates Global Cinema

The 10th International Film Festival Shimla concluded with a grand ceremony featuring the presentation of awards for outstanding films. Attended by notable figures, the event celebrated the significant contributions of cinema to global culture and social change.

The 10th International Film Festival Shimla concluded Sunday in a grand ceremony graced by Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla. Held from August 16 to 18, the festival was jointly organized by India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Department of Language and Culture of Himachal Pradesh, and Himalayan Velocity.

Governor Shukla presented the Best International Feature Film award to 'On My Way,' directed by Thierry Obadia, and the Best Long Documentary award to 'The Passion of Mahmoud.' He highlighted the diversity of showcased films, noting the often-overlooked contributions of artists from Shimla's Gaiety Theater as opposed to the celebrated Bombay Theater scene.

Extolling cinema's transformative power, Shukla praised Shimla's natural beauty and cultural heritage for its international cinematic recognition. He emphasized cinema's role in driving social change, urging filmmakers to address societal issues through their art. Actress Seema Biswas and Festival Director Pushp Raj Thakur also praised the event, which featured 105 films from 27 countries and 22 Indian states.