IFFI 2023 – an Annual Cinematic extravaganza – Home to the best of World and Indian Cinema Begins on 20th November 2023.
Renowned Hollywood actor and producer, Michael Douglas, will grace the presence and accept the prestigious Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The festival will feature a diverse selection of over 270 films across four venues.
Impressively, IFFI 54 has received a staggering 2926 entries from 105 countries, showcasing a significant threefold increase in international submissions compared to the previous year.
The Best Web Series (OTT) Award category has attracted 32 entries distributed across 10 languages and spanning 15 OTT platforms. Additionally, this year’s IFFI will present a captivating collection of documentaries from around the world in the Docu-Montage section.
Furthermore, the Restored Classics section will showcase seven world premieres of remarkably restored films by NFDC-NFAI, supported by the National Film Heritage Mission, which has been introduced at the 54th IFFI.
“The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) holds a prominent position among the 14 esteemed ‘International Competition Feature Film Festivals’ recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers’ Association (FIAPF), the global governing body for film festivals. Other renowned international film festivals like Cannes, Berlin, and Venice also hold accreditation from FIAPF in the same category.
During the Curtain Raiser Press Conference for the 54th International Film Festival of India held in Panaji today, Shri. Prithul Kumar, MD NFDC and Joint Secretary Films, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, highlighted that the annual cinematic extravaganza has consistently hosted the finest talents from the world and Indian Cinema. Esteemed personalities from the film industry of India, as well as from around the globe, have graced the event as delegates, guests, and speakers.
Joining Shri. Prithul Kumar at the press conference were Mrs. Delilah M. Lobo, Vice Chairman, ESG, Ms. Ankita Mishra, CEO, ESG, Ms. Monideepa Mukerjee, Director General, PIB, West Zone, and Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Director General PIB.
In regards to this year’s festival, Shri Prithul Kumar emphasized that one of the notable features of IFFI is the bestowal of the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award (SRLTA) as recognition for exceptional contributions to World Cinema. Michael Douglas, a highly acclaimed Hollywood Actor & Producer, renowned as a leading global figure in the realm of cinema, will grace the IFFI event to accept this revered accolade. Accompanying him will be his esteemed wife and celebrated actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones.”
A total of 270 films will be exhibited at four different venues during the festival. These venues include INOX Panjim, Maquinez Palace, INOX Porvorim, and Z Square Samrat Ashok. The ‘International section’ of the 54th IFFI will present 198 films, which is 18 more than the previous year’s 53rd IFFI. This section will boast 13 World Premiers, 18 International Premiers, 62 Asia Premiers, and 89 India Premiers. Impressively, this year’s IFFI received an unprecedented number of 2926 entries from participants representing 105 countries. This figure is three times higher than the international submissions received last year.
Within the festival, the ‘Indian Panorama’ section will showcase a selection of 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films specifically from India. Notably, the opening film in the feature section is the Malayalam film “Aattam”, while in the non-feature section, it is “Andro Dreams” from Manipur.
In regards to the novel initiatives for the 54th edition of IFFI, Mr. Prithul Kumar stated that a new award category, the Best Web Series (OTT) Award, has been introduced this year. This category aims to recognize, support, and honor the thriving content and its creators on OTT platforms. A total of 32 entries in 10 different languages have been received from 15 OTT platforms. The winning series will be announced during the closing ceremony and will receive certificates along with a cash prize of INR 10 Lakhs.
Furthermore, a new section called “Docu-Montage” has been added this year. This section showcases a diverse range of compelling documentaries from around the world. Its inclusion not only celebrates India’s Oscar entry in this genre but also emphasizes the growing significance of documentaries in contemporary film making.
In addition to this, a Restored Classics section has been introduced at IFFI, featuring 7 world premieres of the exceptional restorations carried out by NFDC-NFAI under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM). These restorations were done on the damaged celluloid reels of the Indian Classics. Additionally, 3 international restored films will also be showcased in this section.
Furthermore, IFFI this year promises an exhilarating week with more than 20 ‘Masterclasses’ and ‘In Conversation’ sessions by renowned filmmakers, cinematographers, and actors. These sessions will take place at the renovated and refurbished Kala Academy at Festival Mile, Panjim, Goa.
Esteemed personalities such as Michael Douglas, Brendan Galvin, Brillante Mendoza, Sunny Deol, Rani Mukerjee, Vidya Balan, John Goldwater, Vijay Sethupathi, Sara Ali Khan, Pankaj Tripathi, Nawazuddin Siddhiqui, Kaykay Menon, Karan Johar, Madhur Bhandarkar, Manoj Bajpayee, Kartiki Gonsalves, Boney Kapoor, Allu Aravind, Theodore Gluck, Gulshan Grover, and others will participate in these sessions.
The Gala Premiers initiative, which began last year, will be expanded this year to include 12 gala premiers and 2 exclusive web series premiers at IFFI. These film premiers will feature actors and talented individuals who will walk the red carpet to promote their films.
The 217th Edition of the NFDC Film Bazaar will offer a wider range of opportunities with the addition of a VFX & Tech Pavilion, the inclusion of Documentary & Non-Feature Projects/Films, the “Knowledge Series,” and ‘Book to Box Office.’ In total, more than 300 international film projects will be curated and presented in the 17th edition of the Film Bazaar for production, distribution, or sales.
During the 54th edition of IFFI this year, the candidates selected for the 75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) program will be provided with the valuable opportunity to attend expertly-curated professional classes conducted by esteemed cinema masters. Moreover, an exclusive “Talent Camp” will be organized, which will serve as a platform for recruitment and feature the participation of more than 20 prominent companies.
To ensure that all festival delegates, including those with disabilities, can fully access the screening and other venues, appropriate facilities will be arranged. By prioritizing inclusivity, our aim is to make the festival an inclusive and accessible platform for every individual.
IFFI not only showcases cinematic excellence but also celebrates cultural diversity. The IFFI Cine-mela initiative adds a stunning touch to the cinematic festivities by offering exciting activities for IFFI attendees, as well as locals and tourists who haven’t registered for IFFI. This initiative allows everyone to enjoy and celebrate the magic of cinema, arts, culture, crafts, and food.
Moreover, the Central Bureau of Communication, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India has organized an exhibition where cine enthusiasts can explore films through interactive displays. This exhibition is open to all and has no entry fee. Additionally, the public can also enjoy open-air screenings at three different locations. Alongside these screenings, there are various other initiatives such as Caravans, Shigmotsav, Goa Carnival, Selfie points, IFFI Merchandise and more, all aimed at elevating IFFI as one of India’s grandest cultural events for the entire world to experience.
Moreover, NFDC & ESG have collaborated with NID, Ahmedabad to oversee the entire decoration and branding of the Festival Venues at the 54th IFFI.
During the event, Ms. Ankita Mishra, CEO of ESG, provided a comprehensive overview of the logistical preparations made for both delegates and local attendees to ensure the smooth operation of the 54th edition of IFFI. These preparations include designated parking facilities for the opening ceremony, complimentary transportation services between festival venues, and simplified procedures for reserving screenings and sessions.
In a press briefing, Ms. Monideepa Mukerjee, the Director General of PIB West Zone, provided an overview of the various facilities accessible to the media. Additionally, she highlighted the innovative initiatives implemented by PIB for this year’s edition of IFFI. These initiatives included organizing a film appreciation workshop exclusively for the media and introducing Konkani translation for all PIB IFFI releases.
Concluding the conference, Ms. Delilah M. Lobo, the Vice Chairman of ESG, emphasized that a selection of the finest international films will be displayed at IFFI. She urged the local community in Goa to seize the opportunity that awaits them at their own doorstep.
