The Festival Director, Shri Senthil Rajan and the CEO, ESG, Shri Ameya Abhyankar addressing the Curtain Raiser Press Conference, in New Delhi on November 19, 2016.
Goa is all set to host the biggest celebration of cinema with the commencement of the 47th International Film Festival of India (20th Nov, 2016 – 28th Nov, 2016). A curtain raiser press conference was addressed by Director International Film Festival of India (IFFI), C. Senthil Rajan, Vice Chairman, Entertainment Society of Goa Rajendra Talak & CEO, Entertainment Society of Goa, Ameya Abhyankar, in Goa, today.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Festival C. Senthil Rajan averred, that this edition will be a real delight for delegates & media registered for the event. It is a festival of storytellers & IFFI is celebrating directors this year. He further added that IFFI, the biggest Film Festival of India, turns 13 this year in Goa. This festival is not merely a platform to screen films, but also to set new trends & introduce new technologies. IFFI 2016 is introducing a new laser based phosphor wheel projector from Barco Electronics, used for the very first time in any film festival across the globe.
The IFFI this year, will be screening around 300 films from nearly 90 countries with a mix of distinctive & variegated story lines, narratives & emotions, under several sections, he added.
Chief – guest for the opening ceremony will be the veteran filmmaker of ‘Sholay’ fame, Ramesh Sippy, the Guest of Honor will be Sushant Singh Rajput, while special guests include, Prosenjit Chatterjee & Gautam Ghosh, renowned directors.
The gala opening ceremony for the fest will celebrate the journey and contribution of women in Indian Cinema and themed as “Ode To A Woman”, choreographed by the master choreographer, Ganesh Acharya.
IFFI 2016 will also have a special screening package of the award winning films from the 1st ever BRICS Film festival, held in Delhi recently.
The new media centre at the Old GMC Building, Goa, was dedicated to the Media by the CEO, Entertainment Society of Goa & Ameya Abhyankar, on the occasion. The CEO informed that RFID cards have been issued this year to monitor the footfalls & popularity of the films. He further added, on line facility to book tickets for films have been introduced this year. This ticket booking needs to be redeemed at least two hours before the screening of the film, on dedicated redemption counters, specially set up for the purpose. To facilitate speedy filing of stories by the media, IFFI this year has collaborated with Vodafone to offer 200 mbps speed over the WIFI.
He further added that for the general public, 2 events have been planned located in the area between Kala Academy & the Children’s Park. Named as “Goa High Street”, the event will showcase Goan culture, cuisine, merchandizing & music. At the other event named “Children Film Village”, films for youngsters will be screened. Furthermore, as a showstopper, IFFI is introducing “Projection Mapping”, a visual delight at the old GMC Building, Goa, every evening. This will entertain the visitors & passer – by to the area with a visual treat.
IFFI, the oldest film festival of Asia, is going to have a line -up of esteemed personalities from across the globe, including with legendary Korean filmmaker Im Kwon Taek being honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Opening Ceremony on 20th Nov, at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, Goa.
Centenary Indian Film Personality of the Year – 2016, legendary singer Padma Bhushan S. P. Balasubrahmaniam will also be felicitated at the opening ceremony for his remarkable, extraordinary & exceptional journey in Indian cinema as a singer, actor & producer. He has been one of the most prolific singers of the country with over 40,000 song recordings to his credit.
This festival tries to give the young & aspiring film makers a platform where they get to learn & interact from industry greats. IFFI 2016 will have gala screenings, including 4 World Premieres & 6 International Premieres. With 26 Asian premieres & 104 Indian premiers the 47th IFFI promises to bring the best of cinema from year 2015 & 2016.
The festival will open with a gala opening ceremony, followed by the opening film, AfterImage, the last masterpiece by the legendary Polish writer & director, who passed away last month, late Andrzej Wajda.
The Indian Panorama section will be inaugurated by the Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, M. Venkaiah Naidu on 21st Nov, 2016 at INOX – II. 2nd time in a row, the Indian Panorama will open with a Sanskrit film, Ishti, while non – feature section will open with the film, Ima Sabitri.
Pluis Fernandez & Prakriti Maduro starrer, Tamara, directed by Elia K Schneider, will be the mid – fest film. This 9 day film fest will conclude with the screening of The Age of Shadows, a film by Kim Jee Woon.
As announced, the Republic of Korea is the focus country of IFFI 2016 & South Korea’s Ambassador to India His Excellency Hyun Cho will grace the opening ceremony. Interesting and acclaimed work of contemporary stalwarts of Korean Cinema like, Sang – ho Yeon, Zhang Lu & Lee Joon Ik will be screened at the festival.
IFFI 2016 in collaboration with the International Council for Film, Television & Audio – visual Communication (ICFT), Paris & UNESCO will also present the ICFT – UNESCO Gandhi Medal to a film, which reflects the ideals of peace, tolerance & non – violence.
The special tribute section of IFFI 2016 honors Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda & Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, both passed away early this year.
IFFI for the 1st time will screen films for specially – abled children with special audio described technology under the Accessible India Campaign / Sugamaya Bharat Abhiyan & a special package of 20 award winning short films based on the Swachh Bharat theme.
The 47th International Film Festival of India brings the best of films from across the globe promising a wonderful 9 day carnival of World Cinema.
