The eighth annual Indian Film Festival of Ireland (IFFI) takes place in Dublin later this month.

Organisers say the festival – which aims to make Indian films and industry as well as film personalities, including directors, producers, actors more popular in Ireland – will see films screened across several venues in the capital from 15 to 17 September.

“IFFI 2017 will be focussing on contemporary new Indian cinema, and also embrace films made by international filmmakers about India,” said Siraj Zaidi, festival founder and director.

Apart from the film screenings, the festival will also feature a filmmaking masterclass, industry networking and a gala awards night. Organisers added that several films have been selected to suit both children and adults.

The festival opens with one of Bollywood’s most highly acclaimed new films, Poorna on 15 September at Movies@Dundrum. 

Directed by Rahul Bose, the IFFI says the Hindi film with English subtitles “is an inspirational and gripping biographical drama about the true story of Malavath Poorna, the youngest girl to climb Mount Everest.” Bose also appears in the film alongside Aditi Inamdar.

“Poorna effectively portrays the triumphs, the hopes and the fears that accompany the young protagonist’s amazing achievement,” the organisers add.

Poorna will be screened for primary and secondary school pupils at 11am prior to its official Irish premiere at 6pm, after a special reception with Bose and the Indian Ambassador to Ireland, Vijay Thakur Singh.

Three other films will be screened for free on the opening day. Pink, a 2016 film from director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, is an interesting courtroom drama featuring an ageing lawyer who helps three women sue the men who attacked them and later accused them of prostitution and attempted murder. Pink will be screened at 2pm in Rathmines Public Library.

Classic Bollywood blockbuster Amar Akbar Anthony, which tells the compelling story of three brothers separated from their parents and raised separately in Hinduism, Islam and Christianity, will also be screened at 2pm in Pearse Street Public Library. Organisers of the festival said the screening is a tribute to the late Indian actor and producer Vinod Khanna.

Film lovers will have an opportunity to also watch a free screening of The Man Who Knew Infinity at 2pm on DCU’s Glasnevin Campus (Room CG86 in the Henry Grattan Building). 

This 2015 film directed by Matthew Brown is a British biographical drama about the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, and stars Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons.

Other films showing at the festival on 16 and 17 September include Naam Shabana, Dangal, The 100-Foot Journey, Hostage, Hell O Hello and Halal Daddy.

The festival will close with a gala Indian dinner and cultural show at the Zion National School in Dublin 6.

Advance booking for tickets, which start at €5, can be made at the Movies@Dundrum box office. 

For further information visit indianfilmfestivalofireland.ie.