Actor-director Yashpal Sharma and his wife, filmmaker Pratibha Sharma, on Wednesday announced the third edition of Bollywood International Film Festival (BIFF), to be held from December 17-18 in Mumbai.

According to a statement from the duo, an international jury, comprising experts from across the globe, have shortlisted the top films from the over 200 submissions for screening at BIFF.

This will be the first-ever offline BIFF event, which will see screening of films from across the globe at Carnival Cinemas, Mumbai.

“We give awards to whoever is chosen by the jury. We want to maintain our honesty and the festival’s dignity and make Bollywood International Film Festival one of the top film festivals in India,” said Yashpal, known for his performance in Lagaan and Gangaajal.

BIFF will also felicitate a few first-time filmmakers and actors this year to encourage them to do better.

“We have received a great response in the first two years. We chose the name Bollywood International Film Festival because it’s a catchy name but the festival is not limited to Bollywood films,” said Pratibha.

Yashpal revealed that it was Pratibha’s idea to start this film festival, and he just stood by her side.

“Pratibha directed a documentary titled Aamu Aankha Ek Se. It followed the life of a 92-year-old woman from the Nandurbar district of Maharashtra. She worked hard to rehabilitate that region’s workers and fought for the Forest Rights Act. Pratibha found it difficult to send her film to film festivals, so she decided to give a platform to all those who struggle to send their films to festivals,” said Yashpal.

A special screening of Dada Lakhmi, directed by Yashpal Sharma, will also be held in the non-competition section of BIFF. The film has won 68 international awards and a National Award this year, and it was also screened at Cannes in 2021.