IFFI inaugurated in a grand manner, in which eminent personalities participated

A number of celebrities and notable figures attended the spectacular opening of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

Several celebrities attended the event, including Madhur Bhandarkar, Boman Irani, Neetu Chandra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Mukesh Chhabra, and Bhumi Pednekar.

Madhur Bhandarkar, the director of the film, told ANI that “it’s great always to be in this festival where producers and filmmakers from across the country come to this festival.”

“I am very happy that I came to Goa and that I am hosting this year with Abhishek,” Bhumi Pednekar told the journalists. It’s very thrilling. There are many positive things for us now that this event has been going on for 55 years. Our nation celebrates it as a national holiday. It is drawing a lot of talent from throughout the world. Films are arriving from a wide range of nations. We are working to elevate up-and-coming talent in our own nation. I believe that Indians are naturally drawn to movies.

A record 1,676 proposals from 101 nations were submitted for IFFI 2024, demonstrating the festival’s increasing global recognition. More than 180 foreign films from 81 nations will be shown at IFFI 2024, including 109 Indian debuts, 43 Asian premieres, 3 international premieres, and 16 world premieres.

The way this celebration is “growing every year” is fantastic, according to actor Boman Irani.

Prasoon Joshi, the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, stated: “This year, we’ll notice that the young are the primary emphasis. What kind of filmmakers will we see in the future? For we live in a nation of restless dreams. where all young people want to share their stories. And now is the moment for our young people to share their stories with the world, and at IFFI, we are doing all we can to help them do so.”

As the Country of Focus, Australia will present a special film package and promote cooperation with India by means of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NFDC and Screen Australia. Michael Gracey’s Australian film Better Man, which provides an engrossing look at the life of the legendary British music artist Robbie Williams, will open the festival.

Speaking about the festival, actor Vani Tripathi said, “This year, Australia is the country of focus, and we will see producers and makers from Australia.”

Neetu Chandra, an actress and producer, expressed her pleasure at her film’s festival screening.

According to Mukesh Chhabra, these events provide young people a forum. “I believe that 80 percent of young people benefit from these festivals,” he added. I come to this festival to see films made by up-and-coming filmmakers.Jaideep Ahlawat, an actor, also came to the event.

Notably, according to Variety, the organizers want to create a comprehensive tribute program to commemorate the 100th birthdays of four Indian cinema icons: singer Mohammed Rafi, Telugu film star Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), director Tapan Sinha, and actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor.

‘Young Filmmakers: The Future is Now’, the IFFI 2024 theme, emphasizes the significance of new voices in influencing the direction of global film.

The renowned and honored Australian filmmaker “Philip Noyce,” who is renowned for his extraordinary storytelling and skill in making gripping, culturally relevant films, will receive the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award. Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, Salt, The Saint, The Bone Collector, and several more classics are among the films in Noyce’s career.

His partnerships with well-known performers like Michael Caine, Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, and Harrison Ford highlight his enduring influence on film.

Five foreign and two Indian films will vie for the prestigious Silver Peacock, which carries a certificate and a monetary incentive of 10 lakh Indian rupees, in the Best Feature Film Debut Director award category.

With 47 films made by women and 66 by young and up-and-coming filmmakers, IFFI 2024 will also promote diversity and inclusion, demonstrating the festival’s dedication to elevating marginalized voices. Emerging talent and the important achievements of female filmmakers will be highlighted in the Women in Cinema segment.

With the help of the enchantment of cinema, music, dance, cuisine, art, and interactive experiences, IFFI 2024 will hold the first IFFiesta, an entertainment spectacular that will enhance the festival’s cultural vitality.

Up till November 28, Goa is hosting the 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).