AbilityFest 2007 enabled the viewers to enjoy films from 24 countries - some funny, others moving – but every one of them thought provoking. Of the two important screenings of the inaugural evening, the first one was Nectar, by Liz Crow, a British film-maker. It showcased, for the first time in India, audio description and captions as well as sign language interpretations for those who preferred interpretation in sign to reading captions – thus making it a totally accessible film.

This was followed by the Japanese film "I Love You" by Yutaka Osawa, which truly encapsulated the spirit of AbilityFest – cinema by, with and about people with disabilities. The final day saw the screening of the silent classic Shiraz with live music by Sriram Parasuram and ensemble, making it an exhilarating experience. As Govind Nihalani, Chairperson of the jury put it, “It was something exceptional, and history has been made here in Chennai”.



Theme 2007 - "Celebrating Diversity"

The Jury:

•  Govind Nihalani
•  Nafisa Ali
•  Ravi K. Chandran
•  Dev Benagal
•  Prakash Raj
•  Salil Chaturvedi
•  Neenu Kewlani