MUMBAI: The Eighth Chennai International Film Festival, declared open on 14 December, saw the likes of director Shankar and actors Sarath Kumar, Radhikaa, Jeyaram, Vikram and Madhavan gracing the occasion.

"The festival is being held on such a large scale for the first time with almost 125 films from 43 countries being showcased," said B Ramakrishnan, president of ICAF.
Prominent films to be screened at the festival include The Last Emperor, Little Buddha, The Blue Butterfly and Ayaruthil Oruvan among others.

The Government of Tamil Nadu has also encouraged the festival by making a contribution of Rs 2.5 million towards the event. 

For the first time in eight years, there will be a competition of Tamil films of which 12 will be screened along with 14 other Indian films as part of the Indian panorama.
The festival jury is being headed by director Singeetam Srinivasa Rao.

The festival that will conclude on 23 December has been organised by the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation (ICAF) and is being supported by the Film Federation of India and the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce for the first time.