Legendary
music
director
A
R
Rahman
has
said
that
films
can
make
a
positive
difference
in
the
society.
Inaugurating
the
four-day
international
film
festival,
Ability
Fest
2009,
on
Monday,
the
musician
said
that
such
festivals
would
make
a
huge
difference
in
the
way
the
public
view
disability.
The
organizers
will
screen
over
30
movies
that
have
gained
international
recognition
for
their
sensitive
portrayal
of
disability.
As
a
maiden
initiative,
the
fest
also
hosts
'Sixty
Seconds
to
Fame," a
one-minute
film
competition
to
encourage
creative
and
inspired
thinking
on
the
theme
of
disability.
Actress
Tabu
was
another
notable
participant,
who
said
that
filmmakers
should
be
more
sensitive
while
portraying
disability
as
movies
are
an
effective
tool
to
change
people"s
perspective.
U.S.
Consul-General,
South
India,
Andrew
T.
Simkin
said
the
divide
between
the
common
man
and
persons
with
disabilities
must
vanish
and
the
world
must
grow
more
inclusive
and
disabled-friendly.
Calling
it
a
non-competitive
festival,
festival
chairperson
Jayshree
Raveendran
said
that
it
was
not
to
judge
talent
but
an
attempt
to
accept
people
as
they
are.
The
films
will
be
screened
from
10
a.m.
at
Sathyam
Cinemas
till
October
15.