IFFI – Asia’s Most Celebrated Film Festival

7th February 2023

A BRIEF RENDEVOUZ ON IFFI

The 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began with a grand opening ceremony in Goa at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Panaji. IFFI, one of Asia’s oldest film festivals, began with the screening of Alma and Oskar by Austrian director Dieter Berner. During the opening ceremony, Spanish film director Carlos Saura received the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award. Chiranjeevi, the veteran actor, has been named Indian Film Personality of the Year 2022. Mr. Chiranjeevi has had a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, appearing in over 150 films as an actor, dancer, and producer. He is a huge star in Telegu cinema, with incredible performances that touch people’s hearts. Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, made the announcement during the IFFI opening ceremony.

India has hosted 52 International Film Festivals of India (IFFI), both competitive and non-competitive, since 1952. From 1975 on, the festival became an annual event. The festival’s 53rd edition, which includes a competition for feature films by directors from all over the world, will be held in Goa.

The International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations has recognised the Festival (FIAPF). Given the success of the 51st and 52nd editions of the hybrid festival, the 53rd IFFI may offer screenings in hybrid format; the upcoming festival will screen films on its official digital platform in addition to the theatrical screenings during the festival in Goa.

The Festival offers a common platform for world filmmakers to project their excellence in film art; to contribute to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos; and to promote global friendship and cooperation.

IFFI 2022 – A TETE A TETE

IFFI has evolved into a showcase for film directors from all over the world. He is confident that India will become a global hub for co-production, post-production, filming, and technology partners.

Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, urged the film industry to make India, a global content hub. As the country celebrates Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, he stated that the government intends to make India the most sought-after destination for filmmakers, co-production, and post-production. He especially mentioned that for the first time, 75 young film-makers from across the country participated in the 53-hour challenge to create a film about India at 100. In addition, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Manipuri cinema, IFFI included a special dedicated section on Manipuri films for the first time. He went on to say that the commitment to giving emphasis and a platform to regional cinema is strong because it has gained national and international acclaim.

Top film celebrities from across the country performed cultural performances at the opening ceremony. Ajay Devgn, Paresh Rawal, Manoj Bajpayee, Suniel Shetty, Mrunal Thakur, Varun Dhawan, Sara Ali Khan, and Karthik Aryan were among the celebrities who attended the opening ceremony. The event was also attended by Goa Governor PS Sreedharan, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan.

At the opening ceremony, music and dance groups from India and around the world performed. The ceremony’s theme was “Evolution of Indian Cinema in the Last 100 Years,” in keeping with the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav celebrations.

During the nine-day event, 280 films from 79 countries will be screened. The Indian Panorama section will feature 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films, while international programming will include 183 films. France is the ‘Spotlight’ country, with 8 films screening as part of the Country Focus package.

Film Bazaar received over 200 scripts, projects, and films from all over South Asia, demonstrating their belief in the power of film. These film projects were pitched to a global audience of film producers, buyers, and festival programmers. It was an attempt to connect the best creative minds with the appropriate mentorship and resources. This festival’s goal is to enrich the film art form by infusing new ideas into it. The cutting-edge segment fosters interpersonal relationships among international organisations associated with the film industry.

FINAL NOTE

The IFFI 2022 closing ceremony in Goa concluded on November 28 at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium near Panaji. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan, and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant attended the ceremony. According to CM Pramod Sawant, the Goa brand is now synonymous with the IFFI brand. He also stated that the state government makes every effort to add new dimensions to the film festival each year in order to make it more vibrant. He stated that the people of Goa value art and culture and that the state is the most welcoming destination.

Akshay Kumar, Asha Parekh, Ramesh Sippy, Ayushman Khurana, Manushi Chhillar, Rana Duggubati, Sharman Joshi, and Khushbu Sundar were among those who attended the event.

The Spanish language film ‘I Have Electric Dreams,’ directed by Valentina Maurel, won the coveted Golden Peacock Award for Best Film. Nader Saeivar’s Turkish film ‘No End’ won Best Director. For the film ‘No End,’ ‘Vahid Mobasheri’ won the ‘Silver Peacock’ award for ‘Best Actor (Male). Daniela Marin Navarro received the ‘Silver Peacock’ award for ‘Best Actor (Female)’ for the film ‘I Have Electric Dreams’.

The Special Jury Award was conferred on Director ‘Lav Diaz’ the film ‘When the Waves are Gone’. Payam Eskandar’s Iranian film “Nargesi” won the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal. ‘Best Debut Feature Film of a Director’ was awarded to ‘Asimina Proedrou’ for her work on the Greek film ‘Behind the Haystacks’. Praveen Kandregula’s Telugu film “Cinema Bandi” received a special mention in the Best Debut Feature Film category. Cultural performances by troupes from Goa, the North East, the Prince Dance Group, and others concluded the ceremony.