“Movies are representations of a country’s culture. Horizons of people would become wide only if they are exposed to world cinema. Hence it is the duty of the government to support films and film festivals,” Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting S Jagathrakshakan has said.

Speaking at the inaugural of the seventh edition of Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF), organised by the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation (ICAF) in Chennai on Wednesday, he said that he would request the State and Central governments to offer financial support for the festival.

The film festival will have the screening of 120 films from 40 countries. The movies, which are to be screened at Woodlands Theatre, Woodlands Symphony and the South Indian Film Chamber, are expected to attract film buffs across south India.

Five shows have been allotted for screening of the films. Three countries – Belgium, Finland and Netherlands, will be in focus and the maximum number of films will be from these countries There will be a panorama of Czech comedy films, French new wave films and documentary films by popular filmmakers.

For the first time, about eight Tamil films are competing for honours in the festival. A delegation of 11 foreign directors and an equal number of Indian directors will participate in interactive sessions that will be held during the festival.

Others took part in the inaugural were US Consul-General Andrew T Simkin, Consul General, Embassy of France, Puducherry, Pierre Fournier, Consul General of Federal Republic of Germany Hans-Burkhard Sauerteig Consult General of Republic of Poland Janusz Blinski, actors Karthi Sivakumar, Devayani, director S P Jananathan, ICAF president B Ramakrishnan, secretary E Thangaraj and S Ve Shekher.