Malti SAHAI

Malti Sahai is the Director of the Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for the Government of India, and has been organizing the International Film Festivals of India for more than 12 years. Her international work in actively promoting Asian cinema is directed toward cross cultural understanding through film. Ms. Sahai is also the author of two books on Indian cinema.

Gunnar CARLSSON

Gunnar Carlsson has been Head of Drama at Swedish Television Göteborg since 1996. He served as founder and director of the Göteborg Film Festival from 1978 to 1993. He has also been Head of the International Dept. at the Swedish Film Institute. Mr. Carlsson is also a producer, director and editor of features and TV series, both in Sweden and Norway.

Alain CORNEAU

Born in Orleans in 1943, Alain Corneau is one of the most renowned directors in France, having produced critically acclaimed films for over two decades. His most recent work Le Cousin is screening at this year’s PIFF festival.

Mohsen MAHMALBAF

Born in a poor district of Tehran in 1957, Mohsen Mahmalbaf is one of the most important filmmakers in Iran. As a teenager, he was an activist against the Shah of Iran. He left politics in 1980 and turned to cultural work by writing literature. His film Gabbeh was invited to the 2nd PIFF, and this year Mr. Mahmalbaf’s latest film The Silence is PIFF’s Opening Film.

OGURI Gohei

Oguri Gohei was born in Gunma Prefecture, Japan and is one of the most significant Japanese directors working today. His first film Muddy Rivers (81) received an award at the Moscow International Film Festival. Mr. Oguri won praise with For Kayako (84) and Sting of Death (90). His critically acclaimed film Sleeping Man was shown at the 1st PIFF.

PARK Ki-Yong

Born in 1961, Park Ki-Yong graduated from the Seoul Art Institute and Korea Academy of Film Art. He worked as assistant director for TV commercials, documentaries and feature films, and his film credits include To the Starry Island as producer. His critically acclaimed debut film Motel Cactus was awarded the New Currents Award at the 2nd PIFF.

WONG Ain-Ling

Renowned film critic Wong Ain-Ling was born 1952 in Hong Kong. After studying in France, she started the film programme department at the Hong Kong Arts Centre in 1987. Ms. Wong was programmer for the Asian Cinema Section of the Hong Kong International Film Festival from 1990 to 1996.