Goa Map
The 41st International Film Festival of India, also known as IFFI hit the beautiful land of Goa on 22 November, 2010 and will continue till 2nd of December, 2010. This International Film Festival of India is among the world’s oldest film festivals. It was 1st opened in the year 1952. Although the festival had a normal run for 2 decades, it then started facing several problems. Just like the historic film festivals of Venice and Cannes, which had their own share of ups and downs, IFFI has also seen its share of disturbances.
In the year 2004, Goa was selected as the permanent venue for the International Film Festival of India, by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in association with the Directorate of Film Festivals. Initially, the festival started well on the banks of River Mandovi amidst the Goan beauty, heritage, mirth and melodies. However, over the years, different set of problems have cropped in. The State Government desperately wanted to give the festival a distinct persona. Each of the world festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Melbourne, Marrakech, Tokyo, Dubai, Deauville and many more had a title that conveyed the name of the town where it takes place. So it was claimed on the part of Goa that the International Film Festival of India should also be called the Goa International Film Festival. This coupled with several other problems from various sectors have never made it easy for the festival.
However, regardless of all these, the festival seems to be one of the brightest, this year. Many well-known and popular film stars from all across the globe have graced India’s 41st International film festival, 2010, by making their presence felt. 18 movies that include three Indian movies have been short listed for the film fare award competition. A total of 5 awards worth Rs 90 million will be presented. This amount is supposedly the highest for any kind of film festival. Further, it is also the 1st time that 2 additional ‘Silver Peacock awards will also be presented for the best actor and actress award.
Numerous personalities and common man from all corners have gathered in Goa on the occasion of this film festival. The jury of the festival comprises 20 members. The chief member of the Jury Board is director Jersy Ansak. Director and actress Revathy is also there. Other members of the jury include Australian legendary actor Mick Molloy, Emmy award winning Canadian filmmaker Sturla Gunnars and French filmmaker Oliver Pere. During this 10 days festival extravaganza, about 300 films from all across the globe, i.e. about 61 nations will be showcased for the viewers, at the Goa Film Festival of 2010. Five Malayalam films such as Shyamaprasad’s “Electra”, Lenin Rajendran’s “Makaramanje” etc will also be played. One of the attractions and main highlights of this festival will be American Film Maker, Jim Jarmusch’s retrospective movie. According to the Festival Joint Director and Artistic Curator, Shankar Mohan, this is the 1st time that a retro will be shown in a film festival in India. The numerous movies to be screened at the International Film Festival of India will take us through a journey of amazingly beautiful and diverse districts coupled with the magical moments and fascinating tales.
While talking about this amazing film festival, Manoj Srivastava, the CEO, Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) contended that Goa will soon become an entertainment hub due to the growing recognition of IFFI as one of the ‘International cinema destination’. The co-hosts of the film festival, DFF and ESG have emphasized on the promotion of Short Films made by the upcoming talented Directors besides premiering movies of noted filmmakers. The legendary spirit of celebration and hospitality, the food and shopping extravaganzas and many more will also be showcased by ESG in all its magnificence.
The 41st edition of the International Film Festival of Goa or IFFI will see the screening of European and North American Films, unlike the other editions of the festival. The motive behind screening these films is to give them the importance and worth that they deserve but sometimes don’t receive enough publicity in their own country.
21 non-feature and 26 feature films from the promising and talented film makers from across India will be played for the audience. The feature films include Abohomaan, Maner Manush, Achin Paakhi, Ami Aadu (Bengali), Wake-up-Sid, Paa (Hindi), Three Idiots, Kaal Chilambu (Malayalam), Me Sindhuthai Sapkal (Marathi), Ravanan (Tamil), Shabari (Kannada), Swamyamsiddha (Odiya). The Non-Feature Films include the famous “Leaving Home” and many more. Special focus will be given on films from Sri Lanka, Mexico and Georgia along with special section of movies from the state of Orissa through which Oriya Cinema’s platinum jubilee will be celebrated. From the year 2010, a section on Academy Interest will be introduced. Special screening of the film, “Peepli Live”, Oscar entrant for India, this year, has also been organized, with the aim to provide an international platform to the Indian Films. Three Indian Movies will make it to the category of International competition in the film festival, from the year 2010.
An effort has been made at the 41st film Festival of India, to bring together short film makers, festival organizers, buyers, and funding agencies, through the organization of Short Film Centre or SFC. The curtain raiser of the International Film Festival of India, 2010 took place on 21st of November, 2010. It was attended by Digamber Kamat, the Chief Minister of Goa.
The 41st International Film Festival of India 2010 was inaugurated at Goa, on 2nd November by Mamata Banerjee, the Union Railway Minister of India. On the occasion of the Opening Ceremony of IFFI 2010, Mamata Banerjee contended that IFFI has always been the platform for showcasing new trends in cinema from throughout the world. Films serve as an effective medium to uphold reality and no better way than this film festival to present the Indian Films to global audience. She also added that the 41st edition of the film festival will be a treat to the movie lovers.
Several famous personalities graced the opening ceremony of the richest ever film festival in the world. Some of them were Ajay Devgan, Aftab Shivdasani and Gracy Singh. The ceremony took place in a complex on the Mandovi River of Goa, known as the Kala Academy. Some of the eminent representatives from the Indian Film Fraternity like Yash Chopra and Ajay Devgan were present.
On the second day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India, 2010, delegates enjoyed the excitement of 3D movies. A knowledge session was also held at the Film Bazar in Goa. .
On the third day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India, 2010, yet another knowledge session took place, where Sanjay Suri, the Producer of Kahwa Entertainment was present. Delegates from Georgian Film Industry addressed the press at the Media Center of the Goa Film Festival, 2010.
It is expected that about 7000 delegates from across the globe, will grace the 41st International Film Festival of India, 2010. With a lot happening and many more excitement and joy to engross and bind the people in the coming days, the 41st International Film Festival of India, 2010 is expected to be a grand success.
