52nd IFFI Opens to A Grand Opening, Drink Copiously from the Cup of Cinematic Inspiration

As the nation and the world strive to brave the Himalayan odds wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the resolve and resilience of our shared humanity have enabled us to find wellsprings of hope amidst the winter of despair, to keep up the ceaseless pursuit of a better present and future for ourselves and our posterity. The 52nd edition of the International Film Festival of India, a skillfully curated collection of the best of Indian and world cinema, got off to a colourful start with a star-studded and artistically inspiring opening ceremony, at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, in Panaji, Goa today, November 20, 2021.

The opening ceremony saw the graceful presence of Governor of Goa Shri P S Sreedharan Pillai; Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur; Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant; and Union Minister of State, Information and Broadcasting, Shri L. Murugan. The galaxy of stars who infused creative vibrancy and artistic splendour to the opening ceremony included towering personalities of Indian cinema including Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Ritesh Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh and Shraddha Kapoor, amongst others.

stevan Szabo and Martin Scorsese receive Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award

On this occasion, Hungarian film director Istevan Szabo and American film director, producer, screenwriter and actor Martin Scorsese, two giants of international cinema, have been conferred the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award for their excellence in international cinema.

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Conveying his acceptance through a video message, Istvan Szabo said, “I am deeply moved to realize the fact that Indians know my films and some of them even love it.”

Expressing his gratitude for being presented with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, Istvan Szabo reminisced about his meeting with the legendary Satyajit Ray, which took place more than 30 years ago in the then Madras. “Ray invited me and my wife for dinner, which was excellent. We had a fantastic discussion on his films and film-making, our profession. It was a profound discussion that I will never forget.”

Istvan Szabo is one of the most critically acclaimed Hungarian film directors of the past few decades known for masterpieces like Mephisto (1981) and Father (1966).

Martin Scorsese is one of the major figures of the New Hollywood era, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential directors in film history.

Conveying his acceptance through a video message, the icon of international cinema said, “I am honored to receive such an award named after one of the truly great filmmakers of all time and my inspiration, Satyajit Ray. I have returned to Ray’s work over and over again and every time I watch his movies, it becomes a whole new experience. Watching Pather Panchali was a revelatory experience for me and it opened a whole new world for me.”

Remembering how intimacy, immediacy, tenderness and sensuality played crucial roles in Ray’s films, the filmmaker revealed that the music of Ray’s films inspired him in the making of the music of his own films. “I showed Pather Panchali to my daughter at a young age, it has made a great impact on how she perceives the world and other cultures around the world.”

Hema Malini receives Indian Film Personality of the Year Award 2021

In yet another highlight, celebrated actor and two-time Member of Parliament Hema Malini has been presented the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award 2021.

Receiving the award, the actor who has enthralled generations of film lovers across wide sections of society, thanked the festival for bestowing her with such a prestigious award. “I am very happy to receive the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award 2021.”

The veteran actor complimented IFFI for recognizing young and budding cinematic talent, through the “75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow” competition. “IFFI is doing a great job in encouraging our creative youngsters through this international platform.”

Acclaimed lyricist and chairperson, CBFC, Prasoon Joshi, who also has been conferred the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award 2021 will be presented the award at the closing ceremony of the festival, on November 28, 2021.

IFFI Announces and Felicitates 75 Budding “Creative Young Minds of Tomorrow”

As the country celebrates the 75th year of our hard-earned freedom, with the fervour of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav diffusing across the length and breadth of the country, 75 young aspiring film makers have been handpicked from across the country to attend IFFI as special guests. The names of the winners have been announced at the opening ceremony today.

The 75 youngsters comprising 7 female and 68 male artists, all below 35 years of age, have been chosen based on their exquisite skills in different fields of film making including direction, editing, singing and screenplay, among others. The youngsters have been invited as special guests at the 52nd IFFI, providing them a great platform to explore their creativity.

Speaking about the novel initiative, the I&B Minister Shri Anurag Thakur said: “For the first time ever, we are recognizing and mentoring promising 75 young minds, as we celebrate 75 years of India’s independence. They have been chosen by the grand jury and selection jury after a meticulous selection process.”

The Minister informed that the youngest candidate is just sixteen years old, Aryan Khan from Bihar who has been chosen for his skills in Film Direction.

Speaking about his brainchild, the Union I&B Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur said: “In a unique initiative, we are recognizing and mentoring young talent through “75 young Creative Minds of Tomorrow” competition to mark India’s 75th year of Independence ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. For the first time in history, IFFI is giving a platform for young aspiring filmmakers from across India to engage with prominent filmmakers and the industry. The artists will get to attend IFFI and interact with experts in the industry in person and via Masterclasses and engage with the film fraternity.”

Congratulating the 75 young creative artists who have been selected by an eminent jury of film personalities, the Minister explained that the Government’s purpose behind the initiative is to provide these filmmakers, actors, singers, scriptwriters, and others a platform to showcase their creativity at a world-renowned event.

International and Indian Panorama Jury Members Felicitated The international Jury for 52nd IFFI led by Jury Chairperson, Iranian film maker Rakhshān Banietemad and other members including film producer and director Stephen Woolley, film makers Ciro Guerra, Vimukthi Jayasundara and Nila Madhab Panda were felicitated during the ceremony.

Come and be a part of India’s ‘Cinematic Kaleidoscope’ of ‘Collaborative diversity’: Union I&B Minister

Addressing film lovers, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur extended a passionate invitation to all film makers in India and across the world, to come and be a part of the cinematic kaleidoscope of collaborative diversity of the world’s largest democracy. “The India story is being written and defined by Indians. Our message to all film makers is this – come be a part of India’s ‘Cinematic Kaleidoscope’ of ‘Collaborative diversity’, that is set to take new strides as the voice of a rising, aspirational billion, gears up to lead and take centre-stage in this decade and beyond”.

Government aims to make India the hub for world cinema, the place of choice for filmmakers and film lovers”

The I&B Minister expressed the government’s steadfast commitment to make India a content creation powerhouse and the post-production hub of the world. “We aim to make India a powerhouse of content creation, especially regional by scaling up regional festivals. We are also steadfast in our efforts to make India the post production hub of the world, by leveraging the immense tech talent amongst our skilled youth. We aim to make India the hub for world cinema – a destination for films and festivals and the most favoured place for film makers and lovers!”

The Minister also outlined the government’s progressive and ambitious vision for IFFI. “Our government’s vision for IFFI is not limited to one event, but what IFFI should be when India celebrates its 100th year of Independence.”

Welcoming film lovers to Goa which he recalled is celebrating its 60th year of independence, while the nation celebrates the 75th year of independence, the Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur said that Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an opportunity for us to take a collective resolve to take the nation to new heights when we celebrate 100 years of our freedom. “This presents a unique opportunity for Indian cinema and incredible possibilities in content creation and dissemination at all levels on all platforms, in all regional languages, domestically as well as globally.”