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Cultural Festivals in Pune

Pune hosts a number of cultural festivals like the Pune International Film Festival and Pune Festival to celebrate the city's life and culture.

Pune International Film Festival

Pune International Film Festival

Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) commenced in 2002 to bring the celebrities from film industry, fresh talents and movie lovers together. PIFF showcases an expansive variety of Indian and international movies in a week-long event. Now a prominent annual event is held every January; Pune International Film Festival has also become one of the major tourist attractions of the country. In fact, it is also known as Maharashtra’s official International Film Festival. PIFF has also gained significance in the silver screen fraternity due to the presence of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and National Film Archive of India, both of are based in Pune.

Today, PIFF is organized on a mega scale with the support of Pune Film Foundation and Maharashtra state government. Along with the recognition for being the best movies in their respective categories, various cash prizes are also awarded to the noteworthy achievers by PIFF, Maharashtra state government and Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Maha Mandal. There is even a competition held by Whistling Woods International, especially for the students.

The first PIFF showcased 50 films from eight countries with 1,800 delegates attending the event. After the immense success of the first edition, PIFF has become the most looked forward event of the year by the film industry as well as the cinegoers. Since then, there has been almost a five-fold increase in the number of participating films, countries and delegates.

The 11th PIFF took place in January 2013. The screening was held at seven theatres across Pune city including some well known multiplexes. The event was attended by prominent personalities from Ministry of States and Bollywood like Jeetendra, Subhash Ghai, Mahesh Manjrekar, Mohan Agashe.
In 2013, the theme of the Pine International Film Festival was 100 Years of Indian Cinema to mark the centenary of Indian film industry. The film industry and the movie buffs had the privilege of experiencing more than 200 Indian and international movies along with workshops, seminars, lectures, exhibitions and media interactions over a period of seven days.

Pune International Film Festival Cash Awards

World Cinema
Government of Maharashtra “Prabhat” Best International Film Rs 10LACS ($20,000 approximately)
Government of Maharashtra “Prabhat” Best International Film Director Rs 5LACS ($10,000 approximately)

Marathi Cinema

Government of Maharashtra - “Sant Tukaram” Best International Marathi Film Rs 5Lac.
Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Maha Mandal
Best Marathi Film Director Rs 25,000
Best Marathi Film Actor Rs 25,000
Best screenplay Rs 25,000
Best Cinematographer Rs 25,000

PIFF Special Award
Student of the final year (direction) From Film & Television Institute of India Rs 25,000

Pune Festival

Pune Festival coincides with the 10-day celebration of Ganpati Mahotsav around August-September every year. Ganpati Mahotsav is the traditional festival of Maharashtra which begins with the installation of the idols of Lord Ganesha placed by the devotees either in their own homes or mandals (temporary religious structure) set up in the various corners of the city. It ends with the immersion of these idols in the river amidst a carnival like procession, which is attended by huge crowds who revel in colours, dance and music.

Hema Malini performing at Pune Festival

Looking at the number of national and international tourists that visit Pune to attend this local event, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and Union Government came together to give new face uplift to this celebration in the name of Pune Festival. It is actively being promoted as one of the most distinguished tourist and cultural events of India.

Along with Ganpati Mahotsav, the main event also includes multifold activities related to food, sports, music, arts, dance, theatre and automobile rallies. The locals and tourists can experience regional traditions and culture, participate in various fun-filled activities, shop to their hearts' content and relish delectable cuisines, all at one single place.

Pune Festival is also a noteworthy platform for the amateurs and professionals from various art and cultural arenas to exhibit their performances. Over the years, this festival has gathered a tremendous momentum with politicians and celebrities from other fields who attend the Festival to grace the event.

The 25th edition of Pune Festival was held between 9th September to 18th September 2013 at venues like Shree Ganesh Kala Krida Rangamancha, Balgandharva Rangmandir, Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruh, Puna Club Golf Course Yerwada, Gen. Arunkumar Vaidya Stadium, Shri Shivchhatrapati Cports Complex Balewadi and Bhosari Gaon. Many famous personalities from the state government, politics and film industry attended the event.

Osho Festival

Osho festival is of great significance for the followers of spiritual guru, Osho. The disciples and other general public from all over the world participate in this festival which is held around in December month in Osho Ashram situated in Koregaon Park area of Pune.

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