Panaji, India, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The 43rd International Film Festival of India on Tuesday kicks off in popular tourist resort of Panaji, capital city of coastal Goa State.
As opening film, famous film director Ang Lee's Life of Pi, wins high praise from filmmakers and audience. Life of Pi, is adapted from famous best-seller writer Yann Martel's 2002 Man Booker Prize winning novel. It narrates how a teenager boy Pi spent 227 days drifting on the sea with a Bengali tiger named Richard Parker, managed to solve all the problems in the long journey.
During the opening ceremony, a elaborate dancing performance is impressing all the audience. The designers are combing different music and dances to pay tribute to the 100th anniversary of Indian films.
The significant film feast will come into more than ten units, including 'Cinema of the World,' 'International Competition,' ' Indian Panorama,' 'Special Tribute and 'Soul of Asia,' according to the organizer of the film festival.
More than 200 films will be shown during the film feast, organizer of the film festival said. Among them, Chinese film with the name 'Confucius,' directed by female director Hu Mei, will be open to audience during the 'Soul of Asia' Unit.
About 15 films, including two Indian movies, will compete for the 'Golden Peacock,' the highest award in the film festival.
The International Film Festival of India originating from 1952, is one of the most important film festival in South Asia. The festival will last for nearly two weeks and end in Nov. 30.