MUMBAI: The seventh Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) is set to kick off on 8 January with the screening of approximately 150 films from 42 countries.

PIFF will also give away lifetime achievement awards to actors Sulochana, Shashi Kapoor and Hema Malini.

The festival, which ends on 15 January, will screen films under categories like World Cinema, Student Films- Live Action and Animation, World Showcase, Country Focus, Retrospective, Tribute, Indian Showcase, Focus on Director, Gems from NFAI and Marathi Cinema Today.

PIFF will showcase 109 films under the World Competition section from 30 countries while in Marathi section 30 entries have been received.

Starting this year, the festival has also introduced a new segment on Football wherein three films based on the game will be shown.

PIFF will be inaugurated by Minister of State for External Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Anand Sharma.