The Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council film festival officially began its illuminating journey this past Thursday with a press conference at the Aicon Gallery in downtown Manhattan. Delivering the ‘dulcis in fundo’ of film festivals — which magically appears to heat up the fall here in the Big Apple — Aroon Shivdasani’s ORIGINAL South Asian cinematic festival is, always has been and always will be a personal favorite. Now, you may think I am not being professional by annoucing my preference here, but I simply can’t shy away from the truth. Year after year, MIAAC has delivered great films, groundbreaking filmmakers in attendance for their screenings, brilliant stars and informative panels. This year, Shivdasani and her team will once again be delivering what we have come to expect from them.

At a welcoming and familiar event for the press — Ms. Shivdasani has a wonderful relationship with nearly every publication and TV station in the city, due to her inherent broadmindedness — some of the great talent and interesting luminaries in the festival were introduced, along with its impressive line-up of films. After Shivdasani shared some of the struggles the organization has faced during these difficult economic times, festival director and program curator L. Somi Roy explained some of the panels that will be offered during the chock-full-of-films five day event. The Festival Sidebar will be ‘In Frame: Kashmir’, presented by MTV Iggy — during which Festival Centerpiece ‘Tahaan’ by Santosh Sivan will be shown — and there will also be a FilmIndia Industry Panel, merging US and Indian media and entertainment companies to help filmmakers achieve their best potential. This year’s festival will also highlight ‘Queer Bollywood’, a conversation that appears not far from my personal theory that films such as Tarun Mansukhani’s ‘Dostana’ helped to ease the gap between the masses and that better-late-than-never reprieve of Section 377 earlier this year…

The line-up for MIAAC 2009 will include some of the best and brightest of the past, present and future in Indian cinema. Among my personal favorites are groundbreaking filmmaker Anurag Kashyap — currently working on a top-secret project which bears the enigmatic working title ‘That Girl in Yellow Boots’ — the eccentric Sudhir Mishra who comes as both producer and director at this festival, the handsome and noble Sanjay Suri — I will never become tired of saying he is my favorite interview to date — ‘My Brother Nikhil’ director Onir, Indian cinema power couple Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi, the talented Rahul Bose, the ever mentioned and always ahead of the times Mira Nair and opening night feature writer and actor — known to most as our favorite ‘Daily Show’ correspondent — Aasif Mandvi. I can’t, of course, leave out beloved actress and first-time director Deepti Naval, ‘Barah Aana’ filmmaker Raja Menon, legendary director Shyam Benegal, actress of the moment Tannishtha Chatterjee, the ever-striking Sarita Choudhury of ‘Mississippi Masala’ fame and the list goes on and on… Stay tuned for insightful interviews on AVS TV with all the filmmakers responsible for the masterpieces in the festival.

OK, so what are the must-see films at the festival this year, according to yours truly?? Well, I play favorites always and typically chose films that have a personal connection for me. ‘The Fakir of Venice’ was a best loved of mine at IFFLA back in April and I agree with all who have called it the next crossover hit. Never mind that I found its director Surapur fascinating and stars Farhan Akhtar and Annu Kapoor simply heart-melting. Oh, and did I mention the Venice-Bombay connection?? I cried so much at Surapur’s haunting images of Venice that I had to wait until all had left the theater to finally proceed outside. Moving on, any film that Sanjay Suri is in becomes a favorite in my book, since he granted me this generous interview about his heartbreaking journey back to Kashmir for the filming of ‘Sikandar’, published here on AVS back in August. His personal trust that I would do the piece justice — and not distort his heartfelt words — continues to be one of the driving forces in my writing. So, I’ll be watching Onir’s ‘Sorry Bhai’ because I have seen ‘Sikandar’ twice already. But I recommend both films and if you do see ‘Sikandar’ make sure to read the review on AVS’s blog to understand the ending. It’s just a little hint that truly changed the film for me, without giving any of the story away…

Then, for a woman who is the proud granddaughter of a renowned Shakespeare translator, I simply cannot mention enough just how much I liked Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Gulaal’ which feels like his own version of a Shakespearean tragedy. And the fact that Kashyap the man is one of my favorite people on the face of this earth, well that’s just icing on the cake! Although I first saw ‘Gulaal’ on DVD, I am looking forward to this striking film on the big screen. Also, try to catch ‘Tera Kya Hoga Johnny’ by Sudhir Mishra for some amazing cameos, the Sturla Gunnarsson documentary ‘Air India 182′ for a sobering dose of the realities behind an act of terrorism — unacceptable in every incarnation — and the opening night selection ‘Today’s Special’. Oh, and of course Joseph Mathew-Varghese’s film ‘Bombay Summer’ starring Samrat Chakrabarti and Tannishtha Chatterjee is a candid look at the dynamics of a friendship between three individuals, when one of the friends is a woman… It was a late night treat at IFFLA and the kind of film you continue to think about and discuss within yourself — and with friends who saw it — through time.

I suggest treating yourself and attending opening night — a wonderful chance to mingle with the filmmakers and feel like a true part of the action. For opening night, which includes a star-studded cocktail party, followed by a screening of ‘Today’s Special’, click here for tickets. Unfortunately, it appears the actual dinner gala to follow is sold out, but no harm in trying if you wish to dine with the filmmakers and celebrity supporters of the IAAC. Either way, it will be an evening you will never forget. For all other tickets, info and a schedule of all films in the festival, go to MIAAC’s website. Anchor Jitin Hingorani on the air and I right here on this blog promise to report on what everyone will be wearing, talking about and eating. But to see for yourself, you simply must be there!!