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Last Friday, the New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development honored Indian actor and social activist, Shabana Azmi, with a proclamation for her commitment to the arts and contributions to New York City’s Film Industry. Hosted by the Indo-American Arts Council, the event kicked off the 12th annual New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), which will be held from May 23 to 27 at Tribeca Cinemas in Manhattan.
Azmi, who is an advisory board member of the festival, said
“We have proven ourselves as a legitimate and successful festival year after year, and the fact that we are still struggling to find sustained funding is surprising.”
“Shabana Azmi’s talent has garnered international acclaim, helping to shape the Indian film industry and build awareness of Indian cinema in North America,” said New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development Executive Director Pat Kaufman. “We applaud the NYIFF for honoring Azmi’s achievements, both on and off screen, and are pleased to celebrate her success, especially as we prepare to host the Indo-American Arts Council’s 12th Annual New York Indian Film Festival in lower Manhattan this spring.“
“Shabana has been a friend and Advisory Board member of the IAAC since its inception, using her talent, activism, and energy to help NYIFF stay the course of true, Independent and Diaspora cinema,” said Indo-American Arts Council Founder and Executive Director Aroon Shivdasani. “We are thrilled to toast her Padma Bhushan from India and applaud her Proclamation from the State of New York!”
For more information about NYIFF please visit http://www.iaac.us/NYIFF2012/
Photo credit for all images: Vijay Shah of Freelance US Media
About the Indo-American Arts Council: The Indo-American Arts Council is a registered not-for-profit arts organization passionately dedicated to showcasing, building awareness, and celebrating artists of Indian origin in the performing, visual and literary arts. Annual festivals of art, dance, play writing and film are scheduled through the year, with several special events and book launches. For further information please visit www.iaac.us. NYIFF was born in the aftermath of 9/11 in response to Mayor Giuliani’s call to New Yorkers to help rebuild a limping city. The First Annual film Festival opened its doors with Film Diaspora Godfather Ismail Merchant and closed with New York’s favorite Indian filmmaker Mira Nair.
