Panaji: The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, in Goa, celebrating the theme Young Filmmakers: The Future is Now. The festival began with vibrant cultural performances that highlighted India’s rich diversity and creativity, setting the stage for nine days dedicated to cinematic excellence. Cinephiles from across the globe gathered to witness the inaugural screening of Better Man, a feature film by Australian filmmaker Michael Gracey.
The grand opening ceremony, hosted by Abhishek Banerjee and Bhumi Pednekar, saw the felicitation of some of the most distinguished contributors to Indian cinema, including Subhash Ghai, Boman Irani, R. Sarath Kumar, and Rakul Preet Singh, among others. In keeping with tradition, the festival was ceremonially inaugurated with the watering of a coconut sapling by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who was joined by dignitaries like I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Festival Director Shekhar Kapur, and Prasar Bharati Chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal.
Speaking at the event, Pramod Sawant highlighted the strong connection between Goa and IFFI, welcoming delegates to the coastal state, which has become synonymous with the prestigious film festival. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a video message, spoke about India’s potential to lead the global content creators’ economy, emphasising the growing importance of innovative storytelling that reflects the nation’s cultural richness.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan also addressed the festival through a recorded message, discussing the government’s ongoing efforts to support the film industry, including anti-piracy initiatives and the single-window clearance system for film shoots. He highlighted the Creative Minds of Tomorrow initiative, which aims to mentor young talents in the industry. This year’s Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce.
Festival Director Shekhar Kapur emphasised the role of storytelling in bringing people closer in today’s polarised world, encouraging the celebration of not only filmmakers but also audiences. Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who was among the dignitaries, described the world as a platform for storytelling and spoke about the deep connection between Indian culture and entertainment.
A special highlight of the opening ceremony was the unveiling of a commemorative stamp honouring four icons of Indian cinema: Raj Kapoor, Tapan Sinha, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and Mohammed Rafi. The initiative was attended by family members of the legends and senior officials from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
The event also marked the launch of Prasar Bharati’s new OTT platform, WAVES OTT, which promises a blend of timeless classics and modern programming. Aligning with the festival’s focus on young filmmakers, a student graduation film from Annapurna Film and Media Studio, Roll No. 52, was announced for screening on the platform.
As the festival unfolds, it promises a blend of tributes, screenings, and discussions, all aimed at showcasing the dynamic potential of cinema to inspire and connect.
BI Bureau
