Veteran
Actor, Director and Producer Biswajit Chatterjee to be crowned as Indian
Personality of the Year
On
the occasion of 100th birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, India and
Bangladesh are together making a film titled Bangabandhu: Union Minister
Prakash Javadekar
Organizing film festival in this challenging time shows your commitment and courage to face and overcome the challenging situation as well as your passion and love for arts and culture: High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India
16
January 2021, Goa: The
much-awaited 51st edition of the International
Film Festival of India (IFFI) got off with enthralling cultural
performances amidst a dazzling ceremony celebrating the joy of cinema. Dr.
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium at Panaji in Goa today reverberated with
the passion of film-stars, film-makers and film-lovers from around the world.
The Opening Ceremony of
Asia’s oldest and India’s biggest film festival has been hosted by actor,
author and film-producer Tisca Chopra
and became further illuminated by the dazzling presence of eminent film-maker Priyadarshan Nair and noted actor
Sudeep who has been the Chief Guest, among other celebrated film personalities.
The function also saw the graceful presence of Union Minister for Information
and Broadcasting, Shri Prakash Javadekar and Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Pramod
Sawant, among other dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion,
Shri Sudeep, also known as Kichha Sudeep said, “Let Cinema be the new
pandemic”. He said, “Cinema is one fraternity that, from one seat, takes you
all around the world, gets you the knowledge, gets you closer to the culture of
every fraternity across the world”.
Addressing the audience,
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Shri Prakash Javadekar said
that 600 International entries and 190 Indian entries have been received this
year, reflecting the huge importance the world attaches to it, said the
Minister.
Shri Javadekar announced, on
the occasion of 100th birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the two
countries are together making a film titled Bangabandhu.
Veteran Actor and Director
Biswajit Chatterjee has been conferred Indian Personality of the Year Award, he
further announced.
Shri Jadavekar said, unlike
other countries, India has multiple favourable destinations for shooting.
Hence, we need to promote ‘Shoot in India’, stated the Minister.
In the context of Film
Bazaar, the Union Minister said, film is not only a source of entertainment,
but also a big market. “Human being is an imaginative being; films which appeal
to the imagination make us laugh, cry and make us one, united in the story. If
the story is told well, the film will become popular.” The Minister said that
we will make a beginning to private participation in film festival, from 52nd
IFFI. He said that the 51st edition of IFFI will run on seven screens, and
lakhs of mobiles and TVs and will reach the whole world.
The Chief Minister of Goa
Shri Pramod Sawant invited Indian and global film makers to look at Goa as a
preferred destination for film making. "The annual IFFI gives an
opportunity to members of film fraternity from across the world to explore the
jewel from the west coast of India", he said.
The High Commissioner of
Bangladesh to India, Shri Mohammad Imran was also present on the occasion.
Bangladesh is the focus country of the festival this year. Apart from the
recognition of the creativity and ingenuity of the film-makers of Bangladesh,
it is also a testimony of the depth of relations and a historic bind between
the two neighbouring countries, said the High Commissioner. “We thank the
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, for organizing
this festival in this challenging time. It shows the commitment and courage you
have to face and overcome the challenging situation as well as your passion and
love for arts and culture”, he further said.
The delegates will be treated to ten of the best films from the focus
country Bangladesh, showcasing the country’s cinematic excellence and
contributions to the world of cinema.
The Lifetime Achievement in
the 51st IFFI has been given to Italian cinematographer Mr. Vittorio Storaro.
In a video message, Mr Storaro thanked IFFI for recognizing his journey. The
legendary cinematographer said that he owes the incredible visual journey he
had, to his colleagues and great directors like Bernardo Bertolucci, Francis
Coppola, Carlos Oliveira and Woody Allen. “They led me in a special way, like
in an orchestra, to use my language of light”, he said. In a word of advice to
young cinematographers, he said, “Study, research, prepare yourself. Love what
you do, only if you love and believe in something, you can make it”.
“India is a wonderful
universe which allows us to continue dreaming day by day, since everything is
possible in India”, said Chairman of International Jury, Argentine Film
Director Pablo Cesar, in a video message.
The 14th Edition of NFDC Film
Bazaar was also virtually launched by Union Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar on
the occasion. This NFDC Film Bazaar will
be held in a hybrid format which will be both offline and online. The Film Bazaar
will be held virtually but it will include all sections usually held in
previous editions. Film Bazaar is the largest South Asian film market. It
encourages creative and financial collaboration between the South Asian and
International film communities.
A trailor of the festival’s
opening film ‘Another Round’ by Danish film-maker Thomas Vinterberg was played
in the opening ceremony. “As a starting point, this was a pure celebration of
alcohol, but it grew into a celebration of life”, said the Director in a video
message. The movie is Denmark’s official entry to the Oscars and stars Cannes
Best Actor Award winner Mads Mikkelsen.
In the 51st IFFI, 126 films
from 60 countries will be showcased in International sections. 85 films out of
these will be premiere screenings, including 7 World Premieres, 6 International
Premieres, 22 Asian Premieres and 50 Indian Premieres.
Masterclasses and
In-conversation sessions, which have been the highlight of IFFI over the years,
will also be held virtually. Renowned film personalities like like Shekhar
Kapur, Priyadarshan, Pablo Cesar (from Argentina) and Prasanna Vithanage (from
Sri Lanka) will be sharing their valuable experience for these sessions.
A retrospective section will showcase legendary film-maker Satyajit Ray’s popular classics like Pather Panchali, Shatranj Ke Khilari, Charulata, Ghare Baire and Sonar Kella. On the occasion of the 150th Birth Anniversary of the father of Indian Cinema, four films by Dadasaheb Phalke will be screened. IFFI will also pay Homage to 18 film personalities who passed away in the previous year. This includes much loved personalities like Irrfan Khan, Rishi Kapoor, S.P Balasubrahmanyam, Soumitra Chatterjee, Sushant Singh Rajput and Basu Chatterjee.
World premiere of ‘Mehrunisa’
by Sandeep Kumar will take place mid-fest in IFFI. Japanese movie ‘Wife of a
Spy’ directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa will bring the curtains down on this edition
of the festival.
Whereas film connoisseurs can
enjoy films by prominent filmmakers such as Pedro Almodóvar Caballero, Ruben
Ostlund and Kim Ki-duk, delegates will also have the opportunity to enjoy seven
great new films nominated for the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director. Apart
from this, ten films will be shown as part of the ICFT- UNESCO Gandhi Medal
competition, selected for reflecting Mahatma Gandhi's ideals of peace,
tolerance and non-violence.
Due to the current Covid
scenario, many Bollywood celebrities could not be remain physically present in
the function. Their video messages brought a feel of their virtual presence in
the ceremony.
“I congratulate all the
participants of the 51st IFFI’ - Anupam
Kher
“What an amazing way to
kick-start 2021 by celebrating some of the finest cinematic works from across
the globe” – Ayushmann Khurrana
“IFFI is something we all
film-enthusiasts look forward to. One of the most prestigious festivals in the
world” – Anil Kapoor
What better way to kick-start
2021 than by celebrating some of the finest cinematic works from across the
globe” – Madhuri Dixit
“Congratulations IFFI on
bringing in your 51st edition” – Ranveer
Singh
“Go and watch some great
films” – Siddhant Chaturvedi
“…..I am so glad that despite
the pandemic and the trials the year has put us through, IFFI has been held
with all safety precautions put in place” –
Vidya Balan
“It has become abundantly
clear that the internet is changing the way in which people experience watching
movies. I am sure the Goa film festival will explore reinvent or reframe the
film festival experience itself. I see such online festivals becoming popular
as being a way of building up a community. This, perhaps, will be the new norm
of interacting with film festivals, especially with the film-makers, actors and
technicians from around the globe. ” –
Mohan Lal
Festival Director Shri
Chaitanya Prasad said: “The 51st edition has written a new narrative where
other film festivals in the world will get a new template of excellence.
Referring to Resurgent India, Inspirational India and the idea of New India, we
have positioned this festival through the medium of films. This festival has
taught us how to weave content with technology; we are extremely happy that we
have come up with a hybrid festival, the next few days are going to set the
standards for other film festivals.”
In her welcome address,
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Smt Neerja
Shekhar said, we remain committed to further promote the film sector in the
country and look forward towards actively promoting the AVGC sector as well.
Chief Secretary of Goa Shri Shri Puneet Kumar; MD-Entertainment Society of Goa,
Shri Amit Satija; Secretary General of Film Federation of India and IFFI
Screening Committee Member, Shri Ravi Kottarakara; IFFI Festival Director, Shri Chaitanya Prasad
were also present amongst the senior functionaries of the Government of India.
The cultural performances in
the opening ceremony specially focussed on the local folk culture and music of
Goa - a place that has been home to IFFI since 2004.
For Further Information, please visit:
●
IFFI Website https://iffigoa.org/
IFFI social media
handles:
●
Instagram - https://instagram.com/iffigoa?igshid=1t51o4714uzle
●
Twitter - https://twitter.com/iffigoa?s=21
● Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/IFFIGoa/
About IFFI:
The
International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is one of the
most significant film festivals in Asia. Held annually, currently in the state
of Goa, the festival aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the
world to project the excellence of the film art; contributing to the
understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the
context of their social and cultural ethos; and promoting friendship and
cooperation among people of the world. The festival is conducted jointly by the
Directorate of Film Festivals (under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting)
and the state Government of Goa.
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