Asian films, filmmakers shine at Palm Springs Film Festival

People formed a long line from the entrance of the Annenberg Theater all the way around the building, which even extended to the sidewalk of the street, before the theater opened for the screening of Chinese director Feng Xiaogang's film "Back to 1942."

Such a sight is not unusual at the 25th Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF).

A day earlier, when Indian film Lakshmi was shown, a similar queue of audience wound up to the street side as well.

More than 15 films from Asia were featured at PSIFF, and several Asian filmmakers have come all the way from their countries to attend the festival with their films and conduct Q&A with their audiences after each screening.

"I'm overwhelmed and touched by the audience's response," Elahe Hiptoola, producer of Lakshmi, told Xinhua.

Lakshmi is a film based on true events. Lakshmi is a 14-year-old girl sold into prostitution, and her unyielding resolve to give up hope and her courageous acts eventually brought down her oppressors.

Nagesh Kukumnoor, director of Lakshmi, also came to the festival. The two have worked in making 13 films together. Hiptoola credited Kukumnoor as starting India's independent film industry.