PANAJI
The 51st edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), scheduled to be held in Goa from November 20-28, has been postponed to January 16-24 next year and will be held in a hybrid format that will be both virtual and physical.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said in a statement on Thursday that the decision to postpone IFFI was arrived at after he discussed the matter with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. I&B Ministry officials said the decision was taken keeping in mind the Covid-19 situation.
"It has also been jointly decided to hold the festival from 16th to 24th January, 2021 at Goa as per the International Film Festival guidelines and protocols," Javadekar said. "The festival will be conducted in a Hybrid format i.e. Virtual & Physical format," he added in the statement. All Covid-related protocols will be strictly enforced in accordance with festivals convened recently in the international film festival circuit, the minister said.
As per the latest figures, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Goa is on the rise and so is the death count.
The festival is organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals in association with the State government’s Entertainment Society of Goa.
Last year festival saw the screening of nearly 200 films from 76 countries. Secretary, Information and Broadcasting, Amit Khare, then announced that it would be dedicated to celebrated filmmaker Satyajit Ray as part of his birth centenary celebrations.
The IFFI was founded in 1952 and is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. Last year, megastar Amitabh Bachchan and South superstar Rajinikanth came together for the inaugural ceremony, steeped in nostalgia music and entertainment. The duo had last shared the IFFI stage at its 2014 edition. Rajinikanth was also felicitated with the Special Icon of Golden Jubilee award presented him by Bachchan, Prakash Javadekar and Pramod Sawant among others.
