GG News Bureau
Panaji, 29th Nov. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur addressing the closing ceremony of the 52nd edition of the International Film Festival of India has reiterated the Government of India’s commitment to the promotion and cultivation of the finest forms of creative expression through the powerful medium of cinema.
Terming the 52nd IFFI as a festival of many firsts, the Minister said that IFFI has been keeping up with the winds of change. “For the first time at this IFFI, we had the presence and enthusiastic participation of OTT platforms. IFFI has embraced new technologies, platform choices of audiences and has kept pace with changing times. We have also showcased the best films from BRICS nations and we hope that this partnership blossoms further.”
Anurag Singh Thakur addressing at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, in Goa on Nov 28 shared his heartfelt appreciation and abiding admiration for the spirit underlying the free-spirited creation and unrestrained enjoyment of good cinema, to which the festival pays a tribute, in ever better ways with each passing year.
Thakur told film lovers that the 52nd IFFI is spearheading us to new beginnings. He also promised everyone that IFFI will be held next year at the same time and place as that of this edition, i.e., during November 20 – 28, 2022 in Goa.
He said, “We have come together to celebrate our rich tradition of filmmaking and the art of storytelling through cinema. We have captivated audiences and recognized young talent, being in the midst of icons and legends of cinema.”
Minister said that we need to do more, we want to make India a powerhouse of content creation, by scaling up regional festivals.
“We want to make India the post-production hub of the world by leveraging immense tech talent of youth. We want to make India the destination for films and festivals, we want to make India the hub of world cinema, and the most favoured place for storytellers.”
Thakur expressed his personal gratitude to noted lyricist and CBFC Chairperson Prasoon Joshi and winner of the Indian Film Personality Award for the Year 2021, for discussing with the Minister at length the idea of “75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow” and for working with the Minister for making the idea a reality.
He said that IFFI has been getting bigger year by year. “At this IFFI, around 10,000 delegates from across the world, including filmmakers, students and cine enthusiasts participated in a hybrid format. There were 234 screenings in which nearly 450 hours of movies were screened. Total hours watched online comes to a whopping 30,000 plus hours.”
The Minister highlighted that this year’s IFFI presented a unique experience for the film enthusiasts with a diverse catalogue of more than 148 foreign films drawn from 73 countries. This festival witnessed 12 world premieres, 7 international premieres, 24 Asia premiers and 74 India premieres. 75 Indian films were screened, 17 of them specially selected under India @75 Section.
“We honoured Hungarian filmmaker Istevan Szabo and Hollywood filmmaker Martin Scorsese, both legends of international cinema, who received the coveted Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award. We honoured icons of Indian cinema, Prasoon Joshi and Hema Malini, with the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award. IFFI 52 also paid homage to several greats of Indian and international cinema. A special tribute was also dedicated to the original bond Sir Sean Connery,” he said.
For the first time in the history of IFFI, all major OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, Sony and others, participated in the film festival through exclusive Masterclasses, content launches and previews, curated film package screenings, and various other on-ground and virtual events. The participation of OTT platforms will become a regular feature in future.
“More than 50 films were screened simultaneously on OTT platforms. 10 Master classes and In-Conversation sessions were organized in collaboration with OTT platforms. Manoj Bajpayee, Hrithik Roshan, Shoojit Sircar amongst many other Masters of Cinema shared their experiences and art at the festival,” Thakur said.
Speaking about noted actor and Guest of Honour Madhuri Dixit, he said that she has been a big name in the world of entertainment. “I am certain that she will continue to rule people’s hearts and contribute to the world of entertainment for many years to come.”
Preceding the announcement of the Golden Peacock and other festival awards, Anurag Thakur extended his heartiest wishes to all contenders, also congratulating all films and filmmakers who have been honoured at the festival. “Their work and contribution will inspire generations to come to aim high and become masters in the field.”
The Minister thanked international delegates for travelling across the world for more than 20 or 30 hours even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, to attend IFFI. He invited the global community to come and shoot films in India.
“Please come and shoot films in India. The Film Facilitation Office will facilitate you with all help you need, from one state to another.” Speaking about the upcoming film city in Uttar Pradesh, the Minister said that the state is coming up with a 1000-acre film city. “They are just waiting for the right people to come and invest in,” he said.
The Minister appreciated Aimee Baruah, Director and Actor of the first-ever IFFI Indian Panorama Film in Dimasa Language, Semkhor. “Aimee Baruah had to stay for one year in the place occupied by the tribal community of Assam, in order to learn the Dimasa language, she had to brave various odds such as having to complete shooting early in the morning, in order to make the film, I appreciate Baruah for this.”
Thakur also appreciated the film fraternity for taking India’s cinema and the Hindi language to various corners of the world and that the government will support the industry in this.
He appreciated Prasoon Joshi, who has been presented the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award for 2021. “Prasoon Joshi is not one with one talent, but a plethora of diverse talents. I am happy that Joshi, along with actor Hema Malini, is being conferred the Award during the occasion of India’s 75th year of Independence.”
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