Since 2004, Goa has played host to the International Film Festival India (IFFI). This year doors of the film festival open from the 20th to the 30th of November 2016. This is India’s most eminent festival and also the first International Film Festival held throughout Asia.
The Films Division, Government of India organized the first edition of IFFI with the help of the first Prime Minister of India – Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
The idea behind IFFI was to nurture, encourage and inspire Indian cinema and introduce it to the world besides the people living in our country itself. IFFI also provides a common platform to the cinemas across the world to project the excellence of the art of film making.
Over the years, the Konkani film industry flourished. Some Goan directors have ruled the roost among other directors. The movies made are also very appreciable.
Laxmikant Shetgaonkar’s Paltadcho Munis was the first Konkani film that brought Goan Cinema into international limelight.
In January 1965, during the 3rd edition, a competition category became part of it. Cities like Madras, Delhi and Calcutta have been hosts to the festival. The efforts of the Government of Goa under the leadership of the former CM, Manohar Parrikar brought IFFI to Goa from Trivandrum in 2004. No other state has hosted the festival after Goa.
The festival travelled to various cities across the country. During which the non-competitive, vernacular Filmotsavs were merged to IFFI.
The festival will have an amazing line up of film screenings. They have been scheduled at the INOX multiplex, Kala Academy, ESG (Entertainment Society of Goa) besides other film related cultural programmes being organized at other places in the State.
In the 47th edition, IFFI is giving Goan Filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their talent. Konkani and Marathi feature as well as non-feature films have a special section. The Entertainment Society of Goa has organized it.
Delegates from far and near make their presence felt at the event mostly to watch different movies. In 1952, it started with the participation of 23 countries with over two hundred film entries. This year, the numbers have increased to a whopping 1000 entries from over 100 countries across the world. It is a worldwide fair. Great actors, directors and producers attend the 11 day film festival along with other cinema related people.
Hope you registered yourself as a festival delegate so you don’t miss it !
