PANAJI: The 52nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) got off to a start on Saturday with Information & Broadcasting Minister, Anurag Singh Thakur underlining the aim to make India the hub for world cinema and most favoured place for filmmakers and film-lovers.
There are many firsts associated with the 52nd IFFI. Among them is the participation of major OTT players as IFFI embraces technology, 75 Creative Minds – billed to be the representatives of the next generation cinema with the youngest selected ‘creative mind’ being 16-years-old; and BRICS film festival being held alongside IFFI where the respective five nations will showcase the ‘Country in Focus’ films. More than 300 films are being showcased overall while 148 films from nearly 75 nations, will be screened in the international section. The 52nd IFFI has brought together a diverse bouquet of films and filmmakers from around the world.
During the opening ceremony, which was held at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium, Taleigao plateau; Thakur emphasised the government’s vision to boost regional cinema.
“This presents unique opportunity for Indian cinema and incredible possibilities in content creation and dissemination at all levels on all platforms in all regional languages, domestically as well as globally. We aim to make India a powerhouse of content creation especially regional cinema by scaling up regional festivals. We aim to make India post-production hub for the world by leveraging the immense tech-talent among our skilled youth.
“We want to make India the hub for world cinema, destination for films and festivals and most favoured place for filmmakers and film-lovers. After all, India is a land of story-tellers. Rich in film resources, today the world wants to hear the India story,” said Thakur.
Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant stressed on his Swayampurna Goa campaign, while revealing his vision for the entertainment sector.
“Goa is known for tourism, also for entertainment. We will try to build a film city in Goa with support from central government or on PPP model. This (initiative) will help the talent in the State, in film-editing, phtotography, cinematography, direction, acting. Skilled talent is available in Goa. On the lines of Atmanirbhar Bharat, we want to make Goa self-reliant (Swayampurna Goa) in the entertainment sector,” said Dr Sawant.
Governor of Goa, P.S. Sreedharan Pillai underlined the importance of art in Indian culture. “Art is similar to God according to our ancient ethos. As per our ancient texts, the words of an artist are equivalent to those of the Divine. Art can play a great role in nurturing and preserving the unity, integrity and sovereignty of our country.”
Iconic Indian film star Hema Malini was presented the Indian Film Personality of the Year 2021 Award, on the occasion.
The 2-time Member of Parliament said: “I am happy to receive the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award 2021.” She also hailed the initiative of ’75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’ terming it as a great job towards giving recognition to young talents.
Hollywood filmmaker Martin Scorsese hailed the impact of legendary Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray on him as he sent his acceptance speech video on receiving the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement award. “Ray is one of my masters! This (Ray’s films) was opening a whole new world to me along the culture and then there was the film-making itself – intimacy, immediacy, tenderness, sensuality, the precision of his artistry – the camera eye, and his use of music. I keep his films with me all the time and when I need to be focussed again, I go back to them. I thank Satyajit Ray, I thank the Indian film industry for the award and I am sorry I am not able to be there in person,” said the 79-year-old Scorsese, who also disclosed that his young daughter watched Satyajit Ray’s classic Pather Panchali and it has helped her to perceive different cultures around the world.
