The Punjabi Oscars 2012 : First Punjabi International Film Academy Awards - Canada (India)

>
According to Indian Express's News Report: With Ontario, Canada, boasting of a four lakh-strong Punjabi population, we should have known this was coming. In August this year, the world will see the first Punjabi International Film Academy Awards (PIFAA) in Canada, the country that has earned the title of “mini-Punjab”. 

Image Credit: mannythemovieguy.com

 

 

 

To be organised by Parvasi Media Group of Canada, PIFAA “will provide a platform for Punjabi artistes across the world,” says feels the Group’s head Rajinder Saini. Although he agrees that Toronto alone has several film festivals throughout the year, these are largely of the Bollywood variety. “These festivals are either religion-based or end up promoting Hindi stars. PIFAA will focus on the commercial Punjabi film industry, and Punjabi films from all over the world, especially Pakistan,” he adds. The four-day-long event will be held at the Air Canada Center . 

While film star Dharamendra has been appointed the brand ambassador, others on the bandwagon include producer-director Manmohan Singh and actors Om Puri, Prem Chopra and Preeti Sapru. Young gun Arya Babbar, too, is on board; he’s a symbol of the next generation of stars after the success of his first Punjabi film, Yaar Anmulle. Junior Babbar will also be seen in three more Punjabi films in 2012. 



“The Punjabi film industry is growing and we already have a huge market overseas, so this ceremony is welcome,” says Puri, providing the bytes in Dharamendra’s absence.

“We’ve received immense response from the Pakistani Punjabi film industry, and they will be sending in their films once we invite entries,” says Puri. According to him, the festival will boost the Pakistani film industry too as their films are “primarily in Punjabi”. The awards will focus on a gamut of genres, from commercial and shorts to documentary, from 2011. “We’re planning to give awards in the retrospective section from 2013,” says Saini.

All set to organize the awards function, director Navaniat Singh is also looking forward to his film Dharti being a contender. Music director Jaidev, on the other hand, is working on a night-long concert as part of the function. A worldwide premiere of a Punjabi film is being planned at the Silvercity Brampton hall in Toronto, and a trade show and music concerts are also on the cards. 


Leave your feedback about this article in the comment box below.

source: Indian Express

Posted in: academic 2012 india, august 2012, canada 2012, dharamendra, film awards 2012, mini-punjab 2012, Om Puri, PIFAA, Prem Chopra, punjabi international, punjabi oscars 2012, Rajinder Saini, world oscars