The 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held from 16 to 24 January 2021 at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Panaji, Goa. Due to COVID-19, it was conducted in hybrid mode i.e. 50 films out of 224 films across various categories are scheduled to be screened online. This hybrid mode format of IFFI was first in India and in Asia too.
- It was jointly organized by the Directorate of Film Festivals (under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) and the state Government of Goa along with Entertainment Society of Goa.
- The festival witnessed more than 126 films from 60 countries which included 50 Indian premiers, 22 Asian premiers, 7 World premieres and 6 international premiers.
- This year the ‘country of focus section’ was Bangladesh marking its 50th anniversary of liberation. Its 4 films were screened under this category viz. Rupsa Nodir Banke and Jibandhuli directed by Tanvir Mokammel, Meghmallar by Zahidur Rahman Anjan, Under Construction by Rubaiyat Hossain and Sincerely Yours, Dhaka by Nuhash Humanyun.
- The Country of Focus is a special segment that recognizes the cinematic excellence and contributions of the country.
- Veteran actor, director and producer Biswajit Chatterjee has been presented with the Indian Personality of the Year Award on the occasion.
Key Points:
–A tribute was paid to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on the occasion of commemoration of his 125th birth anniversary by screening the film Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero by Shyam Benegal.
–A tribute was also paid to filmmaker Satyajit Ray marking his birth centenary by screening his classic works.
—Opening film of festival: Another Round, a 2020 Danish comedy drama film, directed by Thomas Vinterberg.
—Closing film of the festival: Wife of a Spy, a 2020 Japanese historical drama romance television film directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa
—Channel Partners: DD India and DD National
Here is the list of awards:
| Category | Winner | Country | Prize Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Peacock (Best Film) | Into the Darkness by Anders Refn | Denmark | Rs. 40 lakhs (Rs. 4 million) |
| Silver Peacock Awards | |||
| Best Director | Chen-Nien Ko for Silent Forest | Taiwan | Rs 15 lakh (Rs. 1.5 million) |
| IFFI Best Actor Award (Male) | Tzu-Chuan Liu for Silent Forest
| Taiwan | Rs 10 lakh (Rs. 1 million) |
| IFFI Best Actor Award (Female) | Zofia Stafiej for I Never Cry | Poland
| Rs 10 lakh (Rs. 1 million) |
| Special Jury Award for Film | February by Kamin Kalev | Bulgaria | Rs 15 lakh (Rs. 1.5 million) |
| Best Debut Director | Cássio Pereira dos Santos for Valentina | Brazil | |
| Other Awards | |||
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Vittorio Storaro (Cinematographer) | Italy | |
| Jury Special Mention | Kripal Kalita for Bridge | Assam, India | Certificate |
| ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal | 200 Meters by Ameen Nayfeh | Palestine | Certificate & Medal |
| Indian Personality of the Year Award | Biswajit Chatterjee | India | |
International Jury:
The Awards have been decided by the IFFI 51 International Jury comprising eminent filmmakers from across the world, with Pablo Cesar (Argentina) as its Chairman. The members are:
- Prasanna Vithanage (Sri Lanka), filmmaker
- Abu Bakr Shawky (Austria), writer and director
- Priyadarshan (India), director, screenwriter and producer
- Rubaiyat Hossain (Bangladesh), director, writer and producer
About International Film Festival of India (IFFI):
Established in 1952, it is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. Held annually, the festival aims at providing a common platform for global cinemas for understanding film cultures of different nations in the context of social ethics and values while promoting cooperation with each other.
About Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB):
Union Minister– Prakash Keshav Javadekar
Secretary– Amit Khare
