The three-day Asian Women's Film Festival 2010 in the Indian capital New Delhi has given a unique peek into women's world.

The films directed and produced by women are giving their take on life, highlighting the issues affecting them or just showing how they see the world around them.

"We have been holding the festival around the International Women's Day for the past six years. The festival celebrates the creative aspects of women and shows a range of work done by them. It's an opportunity to see the world through their eyes and witness the events around them," said Jai Chandiram.

Festival Director About 18 films from India, China, Malaysia, Iran, Sri Lanka, South Korea and Bangladesh are being screened in the festival which began on Saturday.

Monday was the last day of the festival, which for the first time had opened up to the film entries made by non-Asians but deals with Asian topics.

While some of the films tickle your funny bones, others are compelling, bringing out the harsh reality of life in various societies.

"Virgin" by Taahereh Hassanzadeh has drawn attention to a conservative convention in Iran which requires women to produce a certificate of virginity before marriage.

Hassanzadeh, a film maker in Tehran, highlights the deals with the women and their families' ordeal, the social stigma attached with it and how it isolates them, ruins their self prestige and virtually makes them socially "redundant".

"I liked it very much. To talk about such an issue in a conservative society is quite bold. It really holds your attention. It's well shot and well edited," says Aruna Vasudevan, a veteran film critique.

Judy Frater, producer of the film "Tankko Bole Chee" (The Stitches Speak), said: "I never knew the issue could be so important to the level of absurdity in a society. I'm glad someone tried to bring it out."

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