2006 IIFA Film Festival in Dubai to screen 30 Indian feature films

It will also showcase for the first time South Indian films alongside Hindi, Bengali and Marathi cinema.

The film festival will add to the excitement of the 2006 IIFA Weekend and Awards, the four-day extravaganza to be held in Dubai from June 14-17, organized by the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) and presented by Tiara Residence, the AED 2.1 billion exclusive island lifestyle community developed by UAE based Zabeel Investments.

The 30 feature films to be screened include 14 Hindi, 14 South Indian, 1 Bengali and 1 Marathi film. Tickets are available at Grand Cineplex.

Veer Zara, Bunty Aur Babli, Black, Salaam Namaste, Parineeta, Bluffmaster, Page 3, Garam Masala, Iqbal, Mixed Doubles, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Yahaan, Let's Talk and No Entry are the Hindi films to be shown.

South Indian films lined up for the film festival include Kannathil Muthamiltal, Nayakan, Pokiri, Autograph, Anniyan, Ayutha Ezhuthu, Gajini, Rajamanickyam, Thanmatra, Rasathantram, Kaazhcha, 7G Brundavana Colony, Tagore, and Chandramukhi.

This is for the first time that South Indian films are screened at any IIFA Film festival ever, giving movie lovers a chance to watch their favourite South Indian superstars like Mamooty, Mohanlal, Vikram, Jyothika and Simran in action.

Also being screened are the Bengali film 'Antar Mahal', a real-life picturisation of life in 19th century Bengal and Marathi cinema's 'Dombivli Fast' which revolves around the life of a middle class man struggling against a corrupt system.

Apart from mainstream cinema, the IIFA Film Festival will showcase 5 short films; Horn Ok Please, Village Football, Raju and I, Cataract and The Friend.

All the films have been selected by the management of IIFA Film Festival based on their critical and commercial acclaim.

The 7th Annual IIFA Weekend and Awards in Dubai is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman of the Emirates Group and Chairman of the Supreme Committee of Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises. The IIFA Weekend will culminate with the glittering Idea IIFA Awards ceremony scheduled for June 16, 2006.

More than 450 delegates from India, including the crème de la crème of Indian cinema and international media, are expected in Dubai for the duration of the event which will be watched by a record global television audience of over 400 million people

The IIFA Weekend 2006 is spearheaded by Tiara Residence of Zabeel Investments and supported by Grand Hyatt Dubai, Gulf News, Arabian Radio Network, Dubai International Film Festival, Dubai Studio City, Grand Cineplex, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Emirates Airlines, Dream Horizons, M.A.C., Indian Business Professional Council, City of Dubai, Dubai International Airport Expo, Idea Cellular from India and Star Network which will do exclusive broadcast of the IIFA Weekend and Awards ceremony across the globe.