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 at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium on Saturday.
The opening ceremony of Asia’s oldest and India’s biggest film festival was 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 Kichha Sudeep who was the Chief Guest. The function also saw the presence of Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, among other dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, 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, 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.
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 51st IFFI will run on seven screens, and lakhs of mobiles and TVs and will reach the whole world,” he said.
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.
Also present was the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Mohammad Imran. 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 this year has been given to Italian cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. In a video message, 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”.
The 14th Edition of NFDC Film Bazaar was also virtually launched by Javadekar on the occasion. This NFDC Film Bazaar will be held in a hybrid format which will be both offline and online.
• 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.
JOINING IN VIRTUALLY
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.
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
…..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
