Excelsior Correspondent
DELHI, Nov 11: The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is all set to take place from November 20 to 28, 2024, in Goa, offering a dynamic celebration of cinema from around the world. Organized by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), the festival will provide an exceptional platform for filmmakers, cinema lovers, and storytellers to come together and experience the finest of international and Indian cinema.
The announcement was made during a press conference today, which was attended by notable figures, including Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan, Secretary of the Ministry of I&B Sanjay Jaju, Festival Director Shekhar Kapur, Prasoon Joshi, Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and other senior officials. Dr. Murugan spoke about the growing significance of IFFI, likening it to major global festivals like Cannes, and emphasizing that India’s cinematic voice is increasingly being recognized on the global stage. He further explained that IFFI has grown into a landmark event, not just for India but for the global film community, providing an essential platform for creative expression.
This year’s IFFI will be centered around the theme “Young Filmmakers – The Future is Now”, in alignment with the vision of Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw. Dr. Murugan underscored that young filmmakers hold the key to the future of cinema, especially in a rapidly evolving country like India, which is emerging as the world’s largest film producer. The theme will focus on celebrating emerging voices in Indian and global filmmaking.
Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of I&B, reiterated this sentiment, noting that IFFI 2024 will provide a platform for young filmmakers who are reshaping the narrative of storytelling. The festival will introduce a platform called Creative Minds of Tomorrow, designed to support and showcase the works of 100 young filmmakers-a significant increase from previous years. Additionally, 400 young film students from across India will be invited to attend the event, creating opportunities to engage with industry leaders, exchange ideas, and gain invaluable exposure to global filmmaking practices.
Prasoon Joshi, Chairman of CBFC, praised the festival for being an inclusive platform that enables Indian filmmakers to share authentic and diverse stories with the world.
IFFI 2024 has seen an impressive 1,676 submissions from 101 countries, reflecting the growing international prominence of the festival. The festival will showcase over 180 films from 81 countries, including 15 world premieres, 40 Asian premieres, and 106 Indian premieres.
In addition to international films, IFFI 2024 will also highlight the richness of Indian cinema through the Indian Panorama section. This will feature 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films, celebrating the diverse cultural and linguistic traditions of India. The opening feature film, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, directed by Randeep Hooda, will set the tone for the festival, while Ghar Jaisa Kuch, a Ladakhi film, will open the non-feature segment.
The closing ceremony of IFFI 2024 will feature the prestigious Golden Peacock Award for Best Film, along with cash prizes for Best Director, Best Actor (Male), Best Actor (Female), and the Special Jury Prize.
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