Overview of nine day 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa

On November 28, 2018, the nine day long 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2018 concluded in Panaji, Goa.

Highlights:

• It showcased 217 films from over 68 countries.
• The Festival opened with World Premiere of ‘The Aspern Papers’.
• The Closing film of IFFI 2018 was World Premier of ‘Sealed Lips’.
• Israel was the country of focus for the 49th edition of IFFI.
• 10 films in collaboration with the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai, were selected for the country focus package. The opening film for the Country Focus Section was ‘The Other Story’ by Avi Nesher.
• Jharkhand was selected as the State of Focus for 49th IFFI 2018 and Jharkhand Day was celebrated on 24th November,2018 as part of the festival.  This is for the first time that any state was made focus state at IFFI.
• Movies in the Jharkhand Package include Death in the Gunj, Ranchi Diaries, Begum Jaan with others.
• Wild at Heart Master in His Craft: Retrospective section of Ingmar Bergman: 2018 marked the 100-year anniversary of Ingmar Bergman’s birth.
• IFFI had 7 films commemorating his career including documentary on Bergman titled “Bergman Island” directed by Marie Nyrerod.
• Open Air Screenings were organized during the festival where a large screen is put up in a vast open area. In this 6 Indian sports biopics as an extension of the Khelo India initiative.
• The next edition will mark the 50th anniversary of India’s premier film festival.
• Donbass,which won the coveted Golden Peacock Award in the 49th IFFI 2018,is the official submission of Ukraine for the ‘Best Foreign Language Film‘ category at the 91st Academy Awards in 2019.

Different Sections of the IFFI:

• The IFFI had the International Competition section which had 15 films out of which 3 were Indian. The Competition section represented films produced and co-produced by 22 countries.
• Festival Kaleidoscope section carried 20 critically acclaimed international films.
• World Panorama section had 67 specially curated films including 4 World Premiers, 2 International Premiers, 15 Asia Premiers and 60 India Premiers.
• This year World Panorama section presented 15 films which are Oscar submissions from respective countries.
• Under International competition, the Feature film Jury selected the film OLU directed by Shaji N Karun as the Opening feature film of Indian Panorama 2018.
• The Feature Film Jury of thirteen members was headed by film director and screenwriter, Shri Rahul Rawail.
• In the Non-Feature category, Jury selected the film Kharvas directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale as the Opening non-feature film of Indian Panorama 2018.
• The Non Feature Film Jury of seven members was headed by acclaimed film director and editor, Shri Vinod Ganatra.

Rajyavardhan Rathore inaugurated ‘Mahatma on celluloid’ exhibition at IFFI:
On November 21, 2018, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore inaugurated a multi-media digital exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji, Goa.  

• It was developed by the National Film Archives (NFAI) of India in collaboration with the Bureau  of Outreach and Communication.
• The minister also launched the web portal of Film Facilitation Office (FFO) that was set up in 2015 promote and facilitate film shootings by foreign filmmakers in India.

IFFI screened two films for visually impaired:
On November 23, 2018, International Film Festival of India (IFFI) screened 2 movies this year for the visually impaired persons with special audio described technology as part of Accessible India Campaign.

• The first movie of the package was Sholay followed by Hichki.
• Also, the Press Information Bureau has launched the IFFI 2018 Flash Briefing Skills on the Amazon Alexa smart speakers to enable Alexa users to listen.
• Additionally, All India Radio’s streaming services on Amazon’s Alexa smart speakers was launched.

IFFI and ICFT presented UNESCO Gandhi Medal:
On November 25, 2018, IFFI collaborated with the International Council for Film, Audiovisual Communication (ICFT) Paris, to present a special ICFT prize consisting of the UNESCO Gandhi Medal to a film.
i. This aimed to be awarded to a film which reflects the ideals promoted by UNESCO.
ii. For this 12 films have been selected out of which  two are from India and the rest are foreign movies.
iii. The two Indian movies competing for the honour are:

• Tamil film Baaram and
• Ladakhi movie Walking with the Wind.

IFFI Film Bazaar featured a record of 217 films:
Overall, the Viewing Room section of Film Bazaar at International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa featured a record of 217 films.

• These include 135 feature films, 64 short films and 18 documentaries belonging to 35 languages including Nagemese, Khasi, Gondi and Muria.
• Out of 217, 108 were debut films and 160 were world premieres.
• Among the States and Union territories, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Delhi and Lakshadweep participated this year.
• Film Bazaar was organized by National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 20th to 24th November.
• It is a platform created to encourage collaboration between international and South Asian film fraternities.

The Awards given out in the 49th IFFI are as follows:

Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting (I/C): Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore.
GOA:
♦ Chief Minister: Manohar Parrikar.
♦ Governor: Smt. Mridula Sinha.
♦ National Parks: Cotigao Wildlife sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondia Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlifr Sanctuary, Dandeli National Park, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park.