The ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal jury, Lola Poggi Goujan and Xueyuan Hun along with the Director, DFF, Shri C. Senthil Rajan at a press conference, during the 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2016), in Panaji, Goa on November 26, 2016.
At IFFI Goa 2016, there are 7 films competing for the International Council for Films, Television & Audio – Visual Communication ICFT – UNESCO Gandhi Medal Prize from the International Film Section and 1 film from the Indian Panorama Section.
C. Senthil Rajan, Director DFF, said that he is thankful to ICFT – UNESCO for giving this medal. He announced the contestants for ICFT – UNESCO Gandhi medal prize. These include The Apology (Canada), Beluga (Iran), Cold of Kalandar (Turkey), Exiled (Latvia), The Family – Dementia (Spain), Harmonia
(Israel), A Real Vermeer (The Netherlands) & Allama (India).
Addressing the media today, Ms. Lola Poggi Goujan, Secretary General of ICFT & Jury Member, said that she is glad to be a part of IFFI 2016. She added that ICFT, an official partner of UNESCO established in 1956, is an NGO aiming to stimulate the production & distribution of high quality audio – visual work, especially of young artistes & media avocations at large. She further said that the criteria for the Gandhi Medal will reflect UNESCO’s fundamental mandate of Building peace in the mind of men & women, particularly human rights, intercultural dialogue, promotion & safeguard of diversity of cultural expressions.
Ms. Xueyuan Hun, Associate, ICFT, said that this year they have received a lot of good films from the 47th IFFI and therefore it has become difficult to decide upon the awardee. The award will not only be based on the film but also on the idea. She further said that the collaboration is a joint venture of ICFT & IFFI. Giving her views on Indian films she said that the message of the film & the technical aspects of the film is what she likes.
Talking about the Gandhi medal in further detail, the panel informed that in 1994, UNESCO issued commemorative medal marking the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the world’s advocate of peace, tolerance & non – violence. The medal bears a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi engraved by the French artist Pierre – Yves Tremois. Etched underneath is the Mahatma’s message of hope: “In the midst of darkness light prevails”. The reverse side carries the UNESCO Logo.
