RIYADH, Feb 10: The first Asian Film Festival, under diplomatic cover for obvious reasons, got off to a colourful start here in Jeddah on Saturday with the screening of the Bollywood film ‘Chak de India’.

A Saudi documentary ‘Full moon night’, directed by Mamdouh Salem, was also screened on the occasion.

The documentary describes the traditions of the Hejaz area during festive occasions and their impact on the local youths.

Pakistani film ‘Jinnah’ selected for the festival is scheduled to be screened on the 15th. Such festivals are a rarity in Saudi Arabia where public screening of films is banned.

Organised by the Asian Consuls General Club in Jeddah, the festival also had official Saudi patronage and was inaugurated by the director general western region at the Saudi foreign ministry, Ambassador Mohammad Bin Ahmad Tayyab.

The festival will showcase some acclaimed films from 12 Asian countries. On Sunday evening, Japanese film “Nitaboh” and documentaries were screened.

Malaysian film “Mukhsin” and documentaries are to be screened on Monday, whereas Sri Lankan film “Udu

Gan Yamaya” and documentaries would be shown on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Indonesian film “Nagabonar” will be screened and on Thursday

it would be the turn of Bangladesh, to show the Bengali film “Aha”.

After the screening of Jinnah on Friday, documentaries from Philippine will be screened on Saturday.

China’s “Beautiful Homeland” and documentaries will be shown on Monday. The Thai Consulate in Jeddah has selected “Hom Rong” for next Monday, whereas a feature film from Singapore and Saudi documentaries are to be screened on Tuesday.

The 12-day extravaganza would come to an end with the screening of Korean film “Family Tie” on Feb 20.

The festival is being held at the auditorium of the Indonesian consulate general.