Film lovers can sense
the excitement in the air as the registrations for the 54th International Film
Festival of India that will be held from November 20 to 28, is currently open
and expecting many more delegates. Delilah Lobo was appointed as the
Vice-chairperson of Entertainment Society of Goa, and this will be her first
festival.
Delilah is all set
with the preparations which she says is going on in full swing. “This is a new
experience but a great learning experience. We were always into politics but
this is entertainment. But there are a lot of new additions to the festival
that makes it accessible to the Goans and anyone who wants to experience the
film festival. We are introducing IFFI Cine-mela at the Campal grounds where
IFFI attendees and even locals and tourists not registered for IFFI, can enjoy
exciting activities while celebrating the magic of cinema, arts, culture,
crafts, food, etc. There will be 40 stalls, which were usually set up at the
promenade opposite Inox, which will be shifted to Campal. Goan self-help groups
can also put up their stalls after getting the required permissions,” says
Delilah.
This IFFI, more than
270 films will be showcased during the festival at INOX Panjim, Maquinez
Palace, INOX Porvorim, Z Square Samrat Ashok. The ‘International section’ of
the 54th IFFI will have 198 films, 13 World Premiers, 18 International
Premiers, 62 Asia Premiers and 89 India Premiers. This year, IFFI received a
record number of 2926 entries from 105 countries, which is three times more
international submissions than last year. ‘Indian Panorama’ section will
showcase 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films from India including one
Konkani film, ‘Sadabahar’ by Suyash Kamat. ‘Catching Dust’ will be the opening
film; ‘About Dry Grasses’ will be the Mid-fest Film and ‘The Featherweight’
will be the Closing Film. Michael Douglas to receive Satyajit Ray Lifetime
Achievement Award at the festival.
For Indian fans, the
big question is if Salman Khan is attending the festival? “Salman Khan has
confirmed that he will be attending the festival on the opening day. I am not
sure whether he is attending as the main guest,” confirms Delilah.
The Goan section of
the festival has received 20 entries and is currently in the process of being
selected by the jury. This year also there will be open air screenings at three
locations in Goa, Miramar, Anjuna Parking Area and Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. The
moving caravan theatres will be moving around and showcasing the locally
popular cinema here. To cater to a bigger audience, Kala Academy, Panjim will
be the venue for over 20 ‘Masterclasses’ and ‘In Conversation’ sessions with
eminent filmmakers, cinematographers, and actors, it promises to be an exciting
week.
Best Web Series (OTT)
Award has been introduced this year. 32 entries have received in 10 languages
from 15 OTT platforms. Certificates and a cash prize of 10 Lakhs will be given
as prize money to the winning series, which will be announced in the closing
ceremony.
“There is an experience of 19 years of
organising IFFI so the 20th year should be better than the last year,” promises
Delilah.
