The inaugural South Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF) kicked off a five-day showcase of works from the Asian subcontinent with a screening of Gurinder Chadha’s “Bride and Prejudice.”

Altogether, 38 short, documentary and fiction films will screen in New York City at the Clearview Chelsea West and Rubin Museum of Art. The festival bills itself as the biggest of its kind in the country, and will host the U.S. premieres of 14 films.

“I think when audiences come out for this year’s SAIFF, they’ll see the kind of high-standard South Asian entertainment that they’ve really been craving in this city,” said SAIFF managing director Soman Chainani.

Among the numerous films worth checking out are “The Inner Life of Shah Rukh Khan,” a documentary following the Bollywood star, and “Shwass,” India’s 2004 Oscar-entry.

The high-powered festival has some big sponsors — Time Warner Cable and The New York Times — and big advisors — Shekhar Kapur and Sepia-favorite Vikram Chatwal — overseeing the event.

Yesterday’s opening night party and screening of “Bride and Prejudice” (will anyone have not seen this movie when it officially releases in February?) was attended by Chadha, in addition to the ambassadors and consulate generals from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

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Update (12/20/2004): SAIFF’s official web site has photos chronicling the festival.