Film lovers will be able to enjoy a new venue for world cinema when the first edition Ladakh International Film Festival (LIFF) debuts. Known for it’s rugged terrain and desolate surroundings, Ladakh’s well accessible city of Leh will host LIFF from June 15 -17, 2012.

Nicknamed the Highest Altitude Film Festival, a red carpet event will kick off the 3 day long gathering which hopes to bring attention to aspiring filmmakers as well as Ladakh’s endangered species, the snow leopard. Film entries will fall into one of four categories: World Cinema, Indian Cinema, Competition and Ladakh. Feature films, short films, animation films and documentary films will be included in the competition category.

Organizers are also working to make this event a place for filmmakers to market their movies to international film studios, film producers, and film buyers.