the goan I network
PANAJI
It will be lights, camera and action as cinema legends Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth set the tone for the opening of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2019 on Wednesday, with the host of the evening, filmmaker Karan Johar, adding a dose of entertainment as the movie extravaganza marks its golden jubilee.
Addressing the media, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, Union minister Shripad Naik will be the guests of honour at the inaugural ceremony to be held at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium while the opening film will be screened at Kala Academy, Panaji.
Around 9,000 national and international delegates have registered for the festival and over 250 films from 76 countries will be screened with Russia being the partner country this year, he said.
The estimated cost of the festival is Rs 40 crore of which Rs 18 crore will be borne by the State.
This year, Rajinikanth will be conferred with the Special Icon of Golden Jubilee award. A special seven-minute film on former defence minister and former Goa chief minister late Manohar Parrikar will also be screened at the inauguration. Celebrated French actor Isabelle Huppert will be conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In its golden jubilee year, the festival will also screen 50 films by 50 female filmmakers to acknowledge the contribution of women in cinema. Amitabh Bachchan’s eight films will be screened throughout the festival.
Goa is hosting IFFI since 2000 and this year Goa has added 3 additional film screening theatres which includes 1 open air theatre. Mobile open air screening in remote talukas will be special attractions for the festival.
Paperless ticketing system will be implemented for the first time in this edition of IFFI.
