New Delhi, Dec 6 (IANS): The picturesque Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir is set to host its first film fest in the coming year and the organisers say that it has received overwhelming response from across the globe.

To be held June 15-17 next year in Leh -- the largest town of the region, the Ladakh International Film Festival (LIFF) aims to draw attention of the world and the world cinema towards the beauty of the region.

The festival is being organised by a Kerala-based former doctor-turned-filmmaker Melwyn Williams Chirayath, and his business partner at Monasse Films, Meghna Dubey.

"Though the festival is still in its cradle stage, it has received an overwhelming response from the film fraternity around the world," Chirayath said in a press statement.

Acclaimed filmmaker Shyam Benegal is the chairman of the festival. He will also head the jury for the event, and will announce other jury members soon as well.

LIFF will showcase movies under four sections -- World Cinema, Indian Cinema, Competition and Ladakh.

The competition section will include feature films, short films, animation films and documentary films, while the Ladakh section will include only those films that are made by the residents of Ladakh or films made on Ladakh.

Apart from the entertainment aspect, the film extravaganza will also focus on business with Film Shoppe - where filmmakers can market their movies to international film studios, film producers, film buyers, satellite channels, and hence increase their business opportunities.

A red carpet premiere will also take place.

Ladakh's endangered species, Snow Leopard, is the mascot for the film festival.