Here is a glimpse of what the 54th edition of IFFI will feature…
IFFI news update :
One of the highlights of IFFI is the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award (SRLTA) presented for Excellence in World Cinema. Michael Douglas, a Hollywood Actor & Producer, who is presently one of the greatest international figure in world cinema, will be there in IFFI, to accept this prestigious award, along with his wife & acclaimed actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones.
More than 270 films will be showcased during the festival at 4 venues – INOX Panjim (4), Maquinez Palace(1), INOX Porvorim(4), Z Square Samrat Ashok (2)
‘International section’ of the 54th IFFI will have 198 films, even 18 more than the 53rd IFFI. It will have 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 3 times more international submissions than last year.
‘Indian Panorama’ section will showcase 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films from India. Opening Film in the feature section is a Malyalam film, Aattam, and in the non-feature section is Andro Dreams from Manipur.
Best Web Series (OTT) Award: Best Web Series (OTT) Award has been introduced this year. Aimed at acknowledging, encouraging and honouring, the flourishing content and its creators of OTT platforms. 32 entries have been 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.
The International Film Section of this year’s IFFI will have 8 curated sections.
OPENING FILM: Catching Dust | Dir: Stuart Gatt | United Kingdom | (International Premiere) – It’s a Drama/ Thriller, with cast including eminent international actors, Erin Moriarty, Jai Courtney, Dina Shihabi, Ryan Corr, José Altit, Gary Fannin & Olwen Fouéré. Stuart Gatt is an award-winning British filmmaker of mixed Asian heritage whose stories are often influenced by topical social themes.
MID-FEST FILM: About Dry Grasses | Dir: Nuri Bilge Ceylan | France | (India Premiere) – It is a Turkish Drama by the acclaimed director who has won several prestigious awards. His film Winter Sleep (2014) won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, while six of his films have been selected as Turkey’s submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, which also includes ‘About Dry Grasses’. This film was also in the competition section of the Cannes Film Festival this year. Its acclaimed actress Merve Dizdar, was presented the awards for Best Actress for her performance for this Film.
CLOSING FILM: The Featherweight | Dir: Robert Kolodny | United States | (Asia Premiere) – It is a 2023 American biographical sports drama film that unravels the mythmaking and the fiction of modern stardom through the biopic of a star athlete, meticulously conceived in the classic “Cinéma verité” (truthful cinema) style. Robert Kolodny is a versatile American Director, Writer and Cinematographer. The film premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival in Sep, 2023. Robert served as Director of Photography for many films and has also directed various award-winning films and documentaries.
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION SECTION –15 feature films (12 International + 3 Indian) have been shortlisted to compete for the coveted Best Film Award, a Golden Peacock & INR 40 lakhs. Apart from the Best Film the jury will also determine winners in the best director, best actor (male), best actor (female), special jury prize category. The list of Films is given in Annexure and their details are being uploaded on the official website of IFFI.
BEST FEATURE FILM DEBUT DIRECTOR – 5 International + 2 Indian Films will compete in this section for the coveted Silver Peacock, 10 lakh INR as cash prize and a certificate. The list of Films is given in Annexure and their details are being uploaded on the official website of IFFI.
International Jury – Mr. Shekhar Kapur (Chairperson), acclaimed Indian Filmmaker & Actor, Jose Luis Alcaine, awarded Spanish Cinematographer, Jerome Paillard, distinguished ex-head of Marche du Cannes, Catharine Dussart, prolific Film Producer from France; Helen Leake, renowned Film Producer from Australia.
FESTIVAL KALEIDOSCOPE – Best of award-winning films of the prestigious international film festivals this year, have been assorted in the IFFI Kaleidoscope. 19 films are from festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Sao Paulo, Rotterdam, Santa Barbara, Stockholm, etc.
CINEMA OF THE WORLD Section comprises 103 films through entries, a significant leap from previous years (77) to explore the staggering diversity of aesthetics and narratives from cinemas around the globe.
Introduced a DOCU-MONTAGE SECTION featuring a mosaic of compelling documentaries from around the world.
ANIMATION SECTION of the festival has been expanded to curate International and Indian animation films, and comprises an extensive line up of aesthetically ingenious and narratively subversive animated films including Poland’s official Ocsar entry – The Peasants (Dir: Dk Welchman, Hugh Welchman), also including Indian animation films.
Introduced RESTORED CLASSICS SECTION featuring 7 world premieres of the world class restorations done by NFDC-NFAI under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) from the damaged celluloid reels of the Indian Classics.
UNESCO FILMS – Films that reflect the ideals of UNESCO: 7 International + 3 Indian films. The list of Films is given in Annexure and their details are being uploaded on the official website of IFFI.
ACCESSIBLE FILMS – In the 54th IFFI there will be facilities to ensure that specially-abled festival delegates can access all the screening and other venues. Making festival an inclusive and accessible avenue for everyone is a step taken towards inclusivity.
Specially-abled delegates
For Visually impaired: Films with Embedded Audio Descriptions – Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai & Shershaah
For Hearing Impaired: Films with Embedded Sign Language – 83 & Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Multiple language dubbing – Many Indian Panorama Films to be available to be watched along with dubbing in the preferred language, using their “Smartphone and Earphones’. IFFI has partnered with ‘cinedubs’ App for this, to be made available for free. Several dubs will be available through the App, of other than the language in which the movie is being played in the theatre.
Feature Films of more than 40 women filmmakers across international programme of IFFI.
