Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles Adds Paan Singh Tomar to "Bollywood by Night"

INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF LOS ANGELES ADDS PAAN SINGH TOMAR TO "BOLLYWOOD BY NIGHT"

"From Script to Screen: THE MAKING OF PATANG" Seminar

AND INTRODUCES FAMILY DAY TO 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

RHYTHM VILLAGE/RHYTHM VILLAGE UNPLUGGED RETURNING FOR 5TH YEAR

Los Angeles, CA (April 3, 2012) - Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) celebrates its 10th year anniversary on April 10-15 at ArcLight Hollywood with the addition of Thigmanshu Dhulia's biopic PAAN SINGH TOMAR to its popular "Bollywood By Night" sidebar. The fest is also introducing a Family Day to this year's event line-up. In addition to the previously announced Opening and Closing Night Galas, Industry Leadership Awards Luncheon, and the Industry Seminar, the festival is pleased to bring back the ever popular Rhythm Village for a 5th consecutive year.

Dhulia's PAAN SINGH TOMAR is the real-life story of Paan Singh Tomar, a seven-time national champion athlete and Army jawan who became one of India's most infamous bandits. The film stars Bollywood favorites Irrfan Khan (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE), Mahi Gill (DEV D.), Vipin Sharma (LIKE STARS ON EARTH), Imran Hasnee (A MIGHTY HEART) and Nawazuddin Siddiqui (BLACK FRIDAY).

Saturday, April 14th, marks the debut of IFFLA's new Family Day. "This year, as part of our ongoing commitment to provide a complete festival experience, IFFLA is excited to create a day of family fun and activities for adults and children alike. Our addition of a Family Day is a perfect complement to the screenings of GATTU and WATCH INDIAN CIRCUS. We want to invite everyone to join us at ArcLight Hollywood to celebrate Indian cinema and to connect those who may not have experienced India's rich heritage," added Carla Sanders, IFFLA Board member.

Family Day fun begins with the screening of Rajan Khosa's critically acclaimed GATTU which garnered a special mention at the 2012 Berlin Film Festival. Tickets are now on sale. Following the screening a series of free events in the courtyard of ArcLight Hollywood which includes Story Time hosted by Parvesh Cheena ("Outsourced") who will read Gita Wolf's award-winning children's classic The Very Hungry Lion, Arts and Crafts hour which will be led by Los Angeles teachers and artists culminating with a Bollywood Dance lesson for the entire crowd.

Also free to festival-goers is the addition of "From Script to Screen: THE MAKING OF PATANG". PATANG, the festival's closing night film, took years to get from script to screen and this is an intimate discussion about that journey. The panel will include actress Seema Biswas, screenwriter/director/editor Prashant Bhargava, producer Jaideep Punjabi, writing consultant James Townsend, and composer Mario Grigorov.

The 5th Annual IFFLA Rhythm Village presented by Rukus Avenue was created to celebrate the intimate relationship between music and cinema. Rhythm Village is one of the highlights of the festival through which the ArcLight courtyard and lounge are transformed into a colorful vibrant display of music and dance.

This year's 5th edition of Rhythm Village will feature a special commemorative event on April 12th at the Supper Club in Hollywood (6675 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028). The IFFLA Rhythm Village Anniversary Party will feature live performances by Bhangra superstar Jassi Sidhu, world music stars Bombay Dub Orchestra, the eclectic fusion band Elephants With Guns, and DJ sets by DJ Ben G, and Doc Bladez. For more information, visit http://rukusavenue.com/.

On April13th Rhythm Village moves back to its traditional home at the ArcLight Hollywood courtyard for two days. The outdoor musical program promises to entertain audiences with world-class musicians, enchanting singer-songwriters, eclectic fusion bands, groovy DJ sets, and a variety of captivating dance forms. There will be a live dance lesson by contemporary Indian dance pioneer Achinta McDaniel of the Blue 13, on Saturday April 14th in the courtyard.

Other Rhythm Village highlights include Nishi Munshi (from the TV show "Switched at Birth"), Talavya, a globetrotting percussion ensemble, and a sneak peek at songs from Elephants With Guns debut album poised to release this summer by Rukus Avenue.

Back by popular demand is the IFFLA Rhythm Village Unplugged-- an after-hours acoustic session in the IFFLA Lounge at ArcLight created to allow for a more intimate experience. These up close and personal performances reveal the deeper side of the artists and their journey through music.

Rhythm Village Unplugged will feature "The Voice" contestant Sonia Rao as she shares her profound side through her very personal lyrics, Bombay Dub Orchestra who will put away their turn tables for a live percussion and santoor set, Dhun Doctors will whisk listeners away to a far off land as they entice the listeners with the exotic sounds of tabla and sarod, and expect some impromptu performances by past Rhythm Village guests.

Throughout the six-day festivities, guests can partake of Indian cuisine via the NO TOMATOES food truck parked outside the Cinerama Dome in front of the IFFLA Box-Office on Sunset Blvd.

Source Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles

TICKETS AND PASSES
The 10th Annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) runs April 10-15 at ArcLight Hollywood located at 6360 W. Sunset Blvd between Vine and Ivar. Festival and All Access passes as well as individual tickets may be purchased via the festival website, www.indianfilmfestival.org. For more information please www.indianfilmfestival.org">follow us on Twitter.

ABOUT IFFLA
Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) is a nonprofit organization devoted to a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing films, honoring entertainment industry business executives and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora. For more information: www.indianfilmfestival.org.

PAAN SINGH TOMAR
Wednesday, April 12 8:15 p.m.
103 min

Irrfan Khan (THE NAMESAKE, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, THE WARRIOR) stars in PAAN SINGH TOMAR, a suspense-filled biopic about an overlooked, disregarded and talented runner who turned into a rebel. Hindi/English Subtitles

EVENTS SCHEDULE

INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Thursday, April 12
Noon
House of Blues, Los Angeles

Limited tickets available now: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/238136

The IFFLA Industry Leadership Awards were created to recognize the achievements of industry executives who have had a substantial and personal impact on the creation and distribution of Indian themed content globally and have led the expansion of the entertainment and media industry in India. This year we honor three individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership within and in relation to the Indian entertainment community.

Hosted by: Subha Ravindhran, reporter and fill in anchor for ABC7 Eyewitness News.

This year's honorees are:

Kishore Lulla, Chairman and CEO Eros Entertainment
Michelle Satter, Director of Feature Film Program, Sundance Institute
Alesia Weston, Associate Director of Feature Film Program, International, Sundance Institute

IFFLA Lifetime Achievement Award presented to filmmaker/HFPA member
Ahmed Lateef

Gingger Shankar will be performing live an excerpt of her new project "Himalaya Song."

Among the Awards presenters are:
Teri Schwartz, Dean, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television
Howard Rodman, Screenwriter

FAMILY DAY
Saturday, April 14
Noon
ARCLIGHT HOLLYWOOD
6360 W Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA

SCREENING
GATTU
Tickets: $14/adults, $10/ 12 and under
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/234491

12:30 to 1:30 Q&A With the Filmmakers of PATANG (Free Event)
From Script to Screen: THE MAKING OF PATANG
Sheer Love, Rebellion and A Million Kites

Years in the making, IFFLA's closing night film PATANG has been a sheer labor of love. The creative's behind this resilient film discuss in depth the filmmaking process, collaboration and their distribution journey. Actress Seema Biswas, screenwriter, director and editor Prashant Bhargava, producer Jaideep Punjabi, writing consultant James Townsend, and composer Mario Grigorov discuss in depth their craft and collaboration.

1:30 - 2:15 STORY TIME (Free Event)
Join celebrity guest Parvesh Cheena for a reading of The Very Hungry Lion, an award-winning children's folktale based on an ancient East Indian fable. Singam the lion is outwitted by a sparrow, a lamb, and a deer, each of whom plays on his greed and hunger to escape being eaten.

2:15 - 3:15 ARTS & CRAFTS (Free Event)
Take part in activities led by Los Angeles teachers and artists. Express yourself with different media such as watercolors, chalk or pencil. Create a special take-home project depicting an Indian theme. All materials provided.

3:15 - 4:00 BOLLYWOOD DANCE LESSONS (Free Event)
Learn simple Bollywood dance moves, then show off your skills in a simple but fun performance! Explore movement and creativity within the art form of Bollywood dance.

RHYTHM VILLAGE

THE OFFICIAL IFFLA Rhythm Village Anniversary Party
Presented by Rukus Avenue
Thursday, April 12, 2012. 9pm.
The Supper Club, Hollywood, CA.
(6675 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028)

Live Performances by Jassi Sidhu of (B21), Bombay Dub Orchestra, Elephants With Guns
DJ Sets by DJ Ben G, Doc Bladez
Hosted by Sammy Chand
Tickets $25
www.wantickets.com/jassisidhu

IFFLA Rhythm Village
April 13-14, 2012
Hollywood ArcLight Courtyard
For more information about the performances: http://www.indianfilmfestival.org/rhythmvillage.php

INDUSTRY SEMINAR
Sunday, April 15, 11:30am
ArcLight Hollywood
Tickets $14 https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/234717
"Aiming High: The Personal Journeys of Three Indian-American Industry Leaders"

PANELISTS
Universal Television Production Head Bela Bajaria
Producer Sunil Perkash (SALT)
Producer Adi Shankar (THE GREY)

Moderator Rupak Ginn ("Royal Pains", FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS, THE NAMESAKE) IFFLA Board Member