Few Facts About International Film Festivals of India
Few Facts About International Film Festivals of India
In India, the International Film Festival was for
the first time organised in 1952 in Bombay. It was a non-competitive
festival. The fortnight long festival was held with effect from 24th January
1952. Twenty three countries including India participated, in addition UNO also
participated. 52 feature films and 115 other films (documentaries, scientific
films, cartoons, puppet and Education and children films) were screened. A
special feature of the inaugural function of the festival was the screening of
the first film shown in Bombay by the Lumiere Brothers in 1896. The
construction of open-air theatres for screening the films was another special
feature of the festival.
Second IFFI: - The second International film festival of India was held in Delhi, from 27th October
to 2nd November 1961. This festival was also non-competitive.
Third IFFI:-The third
International film festival of India was held from 8th – 21st January
1965 at Delhi. The festival was inaugurated by the then President Radha
Krishanan. The third festival happened to be the first competitive
festival ever held in India. It was graded ‘A’ category by the Paris - based
Federation International de Producers de Films (FIAFP). With this
recognition the festival in India came on par with Cannes, Berlin, Venice,
Karlovy Vary and Moscow festivals.
Fourth IFFI:- The fourth International film festival of India was held in Delhi from 5th –
18th December 1969 and was inaugurated by the then
President V. V. Giri. Thirty four countries participated in the fourth IFFI.
The Government of India instituted national film award in this edition of the
Festival. Thirty such awards were classified under three sections- films
as art, films as communication and special shorts films.
Fifth IFFI:- The Fifth
International film festival of India was held at Delhi from 30th December
1974 to 12th January 1975. Following the international
recognition of 3rd IFFI, India adopted, at its fifth festival,
a permanent insignia. This comprises a representation of the peacock, India’s
national bird, with a permanent motto of the festival ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’
(The whole world is a family). The same year it was also decided to hold a
non-competitive festival of films (Filmotsav) alternating with IFFI.
While the Filmotsavs were orgnaised at major film -
producing centres of India, IFFI was held in New Delhi only.
The significant
change in the 12th IFFI held in 1989 was that it was
made non-competitive following a decision taken in August 1988 by the Ministry
of Information and Broadcasting that festivals in future will be
non-competitive and all festivals would be called International Film Festival
of India (IFFI). Hence the festival held in Calcutta was called the 21st IFFI
instead of Filmotsav 90. Another important decision taken in June 1989 was that
the IFFI will hence - forth be of 10 days duration only.
Then onward the
venue of IFFI kept moving to major cities across the country. The 27th IFFI
was held in New Delhi. After many years, the competition was revived on a
limited scale. The section on ‘Asian Women Directors’ was made competitive.
The last IFFI
held in New Delhi was its 34th edition from October 9-19,
2003. The 35th IFFI was held in Goa for the first time
from November 29 to December 9, 2004, making Goa the permanent venue. Since
then IFFI is being held in Goa every year.
(Based on information available from DFF, PIB releases and RRTD)
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Goa Gearing up for 46th IFFI
With two more days left when the curtain rolls down
on 46th IFFI, Panjim and surrounding areas are buzzing with
intense activities to set stage for the festivities. Everyone seems to be
occupied and engrossed in his respective work. As Cinema is a collaborative art
that combines hundreds of trades to make a film, similar collaboration of trade
is at work to clad the important spots with colourful and vibrant décor. Amid
hectic hustle and bustle, craftsmen are pulling acts together to bring venues
of festival to life. Cutouts of IFFI logo and insignia peacock made of
metal, plywood and fiber are being erected at various points in and around
Panjim. The Peacock feathers symbolizing film reel in hues of blue and purple
are ready to open 46th IFFI. The IFFI logo and Peacock cutouts
are being arranged in different patterns to give vibrant and variant look. India
had adopted, at its fifth festival in 1974-75, a permanent insignia that
comprises a representation of the peacock, India’s national bird, following
the international recognition of 3rd IFFI.
Arrangements for illumination of buildings, streets
and IFFI venues are going on. Art décor at INOX theatre entrance include
peacocks in metallic frame. Metal truss on pillars is being erected to hang 3D
peacock giving look of a dancing peacock with open scattered feathers overhead
in the red carpet area. LED screens and standees are being installed at various
spots at the venue. Distance places like Cortalim circle and airport are also
getting ready with festive look.
In brief, Goa is gearing up to greet film
personalities and delegates attending 46th IFFI.
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