7th Chennai International Film Festival 2009 on December

In a first of its kind move, the seventh edition of the International Film Festival scheduled to be held in Chennai in December will have a competition for Tamil movies.

According to E Thangaraj, general secretary of the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation, which is organising the film festival, the last date for receipt of entries from Tamil movies is November 5.

Tamil films produced and censored between December 15, 2008 and October 15, 2009 are eligible for entry. Entry forms can be obtained from the office of Chennai International Film Festival, E Block, Second Floor, Room No 4, Gemini Parsn Apartments, Cathedral Garden Road, Chennai 600006.

The best film will receive a cash prize of Rs three lakh and an ICAF trophy. The second best film will get a cash prize of Rs two lakh and a trophy. A special jury award would have a cash component of Rs one lakh and a trophy, he said.

Stating that the response so far had been overwhelming, Thangaraj said that they had submitted a petition to Chief Minister requesting the government to sponsor the festival. “We hope to get a good support from the government,” he added.