This time, MAMI will screen 140 films from 45 countries in three theatres in the city -- Adlabs Wadala (4 screens), Metro Adlabs (2 screens) and Cinemax Versova (1 screen). This year, the newly instituted 'Global Lifetime Achievement Award' will be awarded to Carlos Saura, the internationally renowned Spanish director, for his contribution to the world of cinema.

MAMI is introducing a new initiative called 'Dimensions Mumbai', a short film competition, for youth below 25 from Mumbai on the theme 'Metropolis of Mumbai'. Under this programme, digital films of 5 minutes duration, depicting various aspects of life in Mumbai are being invited. The best entry would be awarded a cash prize of Rs. 1,50,000. The last date of submission of entries is March 1, 2008. This competition was initiated by Jaya Bachchan, one of the trustees of MAMI. The Awards function will be held on March 13, the closing night of the festival.

Living legend Dev Anand will preside over the closing ceremony as the chief guest and will present the MAMI Awards. The best Indian films selected by a special five-member international jury will also be announced on the closing night. A three-member FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) Jury will also announce its results on the closing night. Highlights of the festival include the screening of Polish master Andrzej Wajda's latest film Katyn, nominated for an Oscar in the foreign film category. Besides that, in the closing gala nightn the Japanese film The Mourning Forest will be screened, a film that won the Grand Prix at the 60th Cannes Film Festival in 2007.

The USP of this festival is the MAMI Awards for outstanding contribution to the Indian film industry which will be presented to following: Dharmendra (Lifetime Achievement Award) Rishi Kapoor (Award for Significant Contribution to Cinema over 25 years to an Actor-Director) Gulzar (Award for Outstanding Contribution to Indian Film Music as Lyrics Writer) Hitendra Ghosh (Kodak Award for Technical Excellence).

Courtesy: IndiaFM