Polish film-maker Krzystof Zanussi is to head up the five strong jury of the 34th International Film Festival of India in New Delhi (Oct 9-19).

The Jury will award Golden Peacock prize of US $10,000 for the best Film by an Asian Director, and a Silver Peacock prize of US$ 5000 for the most promising Asian Director.

Indian Film actor Kamaal Hasan will be the chief guest and Indian actress Kareena Kapur will light the traditional lamp at the opening ceremony on 9th October 2003.

There will be a 40 booth Film Bazaar with overseas buyers and Indian exhibitors at the festival site in New Delhi.

According to Ms. Neelam Kapur, the newly appointed festival director. "We shall be screening films like, Dogville, Swimming Pool, Blind Shaft, God Is Brazilian, Good Bye, Lenin! and Five In The Afternoon". 40 films feature the Cinema of the World section.

The 6th International Film Festival of Mumbai (Nov 20 - 27), organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI), has announced that this year's edition will have a competition section for Indian films.

The director of the best film will be given a trophy and a cash prize of Rs100,000 (US$ 2000) while the producer will be given $1500. A $1500 special jury award will go to a film or to an individual's artistic contribution to a film.

In a statement the festival organiser and noted filmmaker Shyam Benegal said, "We are introducing a competitive section this year for Indian feature films to encourage Indian participation in the international film circuit.