IFFI makes the Golden Quadrilateral of India shine
brighter
The inaugural edition
at Bombay (now called as Mumbai) started off at a positive note, with the
United States participating with 40 feature films and about a hundred short
films. The festival was subsequently taken to the cities of Madras, Delhi and
Calcutta in the next few years. With the induction of Competition Category
during its 3rd edition, The Sri Lankan film Gamperaliya became the first
recipient of the Golden Peacock Award. By the 5th edition, IFFI became the only
Indian member of FIAPF (Fédération Internationale des Associations de
Producteurs de Films) and was classified as an “A” grade festival. Post this,
the festival travelled to various cities across the country during which the
non-competitive, vernacular Filmotsavs were merged to IFFI.
Goa – The land of
Sun, Sand and Sea welcomes IFFI in 2004
The efforts of the
Government of Goa under the leadership of the then Chief Minister, Manohar
Parrikar brought IFFI to Goa from Trivandrum in 2004. Initially, the state had
to face a lot of cynicism due to the lack of infrastructure to cater to a
festival of this magnitude and the weak film culture that prevailed back then.
But, contrast to people’s doubts, a large number of delegates poured in and
made its first edition a success. Sooner, the development of Infrastructure
like the new Patto bridge and INOX multiplex steered a clear path for Goa to
continue hosting IFFI as an annual competitive festival.
For few years,
screenings used to happen at different cities along with other cultural
programs and laser shows in open spaces like Miramar Beach and Caranzalem
grounds. The Goa Music festival was once a part of IFFI too. In the due course,
the Festival’s agenda got simplified and screenings in other locations were
stopped.
IFFI boosts the
morale of vernacular cinemas
The once sceptical
scenario of Goa’s film culture changed with a number of Konkani films getting
made every year. There are film-clubs flourishing in Goa and the weekly
releases at the multiplex are met with a lot of enthusiasm. In the last 13
years of its existence in Goa, around 12 Konkani films have made their way to
the Panaroma category of Indian cinema in IFFI till now. This has also invited
the interests of various other vernacular films and artists to come out and
participate in this category and gain a world-wide recognition.
From Indian to
International Celebrities, IFFI has seen them all
Over the years, IFFI
has witnessed renowned personalities from across the country and the world
coming down to attend this. The festival has had celebrities like Shahrukh
Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikanth, A.R.Rahman, Ilayaraja, Salman Khan, Shekhar
Kapur, Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar and many more as a Chief Guest and Speaker
over the years. The International Film Festival of India has also the likes of
Gen Y Film Personalities like Rajkummar Rao, Radhika Apte, Bhumi Pednekar,
Siddharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, Sushant Singh Rajput, Kalki Koechlin, Jim Sarbh
and so many more over the recent past.
Apart from the
people, some of the most critically-acclaimed movies that IFFI has been
showcased in the past 5 years include 120 BPM, Bicycle Thieves, Miracle in
Milan, Rome, Open City from Italy. Yukiwarisoo (Japan), The Dancing Fleese
(UK), The River (USA) and The Fall of Berlin (USSR). Some of the art films that
performed well commercially, like Life of Pi, Mandela:Long Walk To Freedom, The
Man Who Knew Infinity and The Reluctant Fundamentalist, have also found their
place at the IFFI Premiere screenings.
So
brace up for inaugural, keep your delegate kit ready and immerse yourself, into
the mesmerising spectacle over the next eight days. Happy 50th IFFI
