International Film Festival Of India

What is the Event About?

The International Film Festival of India, commonly known as IFFI, is one of Asia's most renowned film festivals.

It is also a great medium for filmmakers to exhibit their work to a global audience and screens a vast assortment of films, including short films, feature films, documentaries, and animations. 

Held annually in Goa, a nearshore state in western India, the  International Film Festival of India showcases and honours films from worldwide. 

The festival is managed by the Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, in partnership with the Goa state government and has become an epicentre for film industry experts, film fanatics, and movie-goers. 

Over the years, the International Film Festival of India has attracted some of the most prominent names in the film industry, including legendary directors like Satyajit Ray, Akira Kurosawa, and Ingmar Bergman. 

Moreover, the festival has also been a launching platform for numerous budding filmmakers who have made a name for themselves in the film industry.

Other than film screenings, IFFI also hosts different cultural events, including art exhibitions, music performances, and food festivals that present an innovative opportunity to experience Goa's dynamic culture and cuisine, making it a memorable experience for attendees.

Table of Contents

• Details

• History

• Theme 

• Registration

• Celebrities

• Schedule

• Conclusion

Details

Below is the tabular representation of the key highlights of the International Film Festival Of India.  

History

PlayThe initial International Film Festival of India was first conducted in 1952 in Mumbai and was the idea of the then-prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. 

It was in 2004 that the International Film Festival moved to Goa, where it has been conducted ever since. In addition, the first International Film Festival of India had a humble start, with only 40 films from 20 nations being screened. 

The festival was initially non-competitive, and the movies were screened for the general public. After the initial event, the festival turned competitive and introduced the Silver Peacock Award for Best Documentary Film and Short Film.

Besides, the International Film Festival of India has risen in scale and prominence over the years, as evident in 1965, when the festival screened 200 movies from 33 nations and 245 movies from 42 nations in 1982. 

Furthermore, IFFI introduced the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1983, awarded to some of the most well-known names in world cinema, including Satyajit Ray, Akira Kurosawa, and Ingmar Bergman.

Hence it might not be wrong to say that the International Film Festival of India has been the medium for the global premiere of some of the most acclaimed movies in cinema history.

The festival has also been instrumental in introducing Indian cinema to the world.

In 1978, the festival showcased the work of the great Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray, and in 1984, the festival introduced a new section dedicated to Indian cinema.

Apart from helping introduce Indian cinema to the world, the International Film Festival of India has also been the place of many controversies.

For instance, in 1987, the International Film Festival was cancelled due to monetary constraints and was postponed due to the Gulf War in 1991.

Despite these problems, the International Film Festival of India has been one of the most significant events in world cinema. 

The festival has provided a platform for filmmakers worldwide to showcase their work and introduced audiences to some of the most innovative and influential films in history.

The festival has also played a key role in promoting Indian cinema to the world and has helped to establish India as a major player in the world of cinema.

Theme

In the past, the International Film Festival of India has explored different themes and sub-themes to emphasize distinguishable aspects of cinema and its influence on society.

For instance, the 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India in 2022 focused on the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). 

On the other hand, the 52nd edition and 51st editions in 2021 and 2020 focused on the themes Diversity through Cinema and Celebrating the Joy of Cinema, respectively.

In addition, IFFI featured a curated selection of more than 200 movies from 50 nations, workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions with well-known filmmakers and industry professionals.

Some other themes that IFFI has explored earlier are as follows:  

• 50 Years of Indian Independence (1997)

• Celebrating Dance in Indian Cinema (2011)

• Celebrating 100 Years of Indian Cinema (2013)

• The Power of Women in Cinema (2017)

While the themes for different editions of IFFI keep changing, the festival will likely continue to emphasize the diversity and vibrancy of global cinema while exploring relevant social, cultural, and political issues through films.

Registration

The International Film Festival of India registration procedure is relatively straightforward and can be finished online. Filmmakers and production firms can present their films for review by visiting the IFFI's official website.

The website offers exhaustive information about the application submission guidelines, including the categories of films accepted, the submission deadline, and the forms in which the films should be submitted. 

Moreover, to submit a film, production companies and filmmakers need to create an account on the IFFI website and fill in the required details about their film, such as the director's name, title, producer, duration, language, and synopsis.

Besides, they must also submit a high-quality digital film document in the prescribed format. 

The application fees differ depending on the category of the film and the deadline for submissions. Once the submission is finished, the film is evaluated by a selection board nominated by the festival organizers.

The panel chooses the films screened at the festival based on their originality, quality, and cultural significance and are screened during the festival.

Celebrities 

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has become an epicenter for film enthusiasts and cinephiles from across the globe. 

The last International Film Festival of India was no different.

Among many celebrities who attended the event, the most influential was Hollywood legend and two-time Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, who attended the festival to promote his film 'Finch'. 

Directed by legendary director Miguel Sapochnik, the film feature Tom Hanks in the lead role of a robotics architect who builds a robot to take care of his dog and soon finds himself connecting with the machine.

Another Hollywood star who attended the International Film Festival of India this year is Scarlett Johansson. The actress arrived here to promote her film 'Black Widow', which was released earlier in 2022.

The movie, which is a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, features Scarlett Johansson reprising her role as the titular character.

Apart from these two Hollywood celebrities, IFFI also registered the presence of some of the most acclaimed filmmakers and actors from the Indian film industry.

Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, who is also the festival's brand ambassador, attended the event.

Other celebrities from the Indian film industry who attended the International Film Festival of India include Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, Rajkumar Rao, and Taapsee Pannu.

Schedule

The International Film Festival of India, organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Goa government, was scheduled from the 20th to the 28th of January, 2022.

This edition of the International Film Festival was equally exciting and engaging as ever, with an expansive range of movies from diverse genres and nations on display.

The festival exhibited the best of global cinema, including short films, feature films, documentaries, and animation films.

The International Film Festival of India opened with the Indian premiere of The Lost Daughter, directed by the famous director Maggie Gyllenhaal, which got premiered at the Venice Film Festival.

Apart from the opening film, the festival featured a wide assortment of global movies, including Drive My Car by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, winner of the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival, Petite Maman by Celine Sciamma, winner of the Best Director award at the Berlin International Film Festival etc.

Conclusion 

To summarize, the International Film Festival of India is an excellent medium for filmmakers and cinema buffs to showcase their talent and experience the magic of cinema.

The festival draws a diverse audience, including film critics, distributors, producers, and general movie-goers, making it a wonderful opportunity to network and collaborate with like-minded people.