International Film Festival of India

Last updated
International Film Festival of India
International Film Festival of India Official Logo.png
Location Panaji, Goa, India
Founded24 January 1952;72 years ago (1952-01-24)
Most recent2024
Awards
Hosted by Government of Goa
Directorate of Film Festivals
Website iffigoa.org
Current: 55th

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, [1] [2] is an annual film festival currently held in Goa, on the western coast of India. The festival aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the world to project the excellence of the film art; contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos, and promoting friendship and cooperation among people of the world. The festival is conducted jointly by the National Film Development Corporation of India (under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) and the state Government of Goa. [3]

Contents

Vision

Ayam nijam paroveti gananā laghuchetasām, Udāracharitānām tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam [4]

(Extract from the Vedic scripture Maha Upanishad, meaning "This is for me and that is for other – is the thinking of a narrow-minded person. For those who are broad-minded, liberals, or noble people, the entire world is one big family.") [4]

History

First IFFI

The 1st edition of IFFI was organized by the Films Division, Government of India, with the patronage of the first Prime Minister of India. Held in Mumbai [2] from 24 January to 1 February 1952, the Festival was subsequently taken to Madras, Delhi, Calcutta and Trivandrum. [5] In all it had about 40 features and 100 short films. In Delhi, the IFFI was inaugurated by Prime Minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru on 21 February 1952. [6]

The first edition was non-competitive, and had 23 countries including the United States participating with 40 feature films and about a hundred short films. The Indian entries for the festival were Awara (Hindi), Pathala Bhairavi (Telugu), Amar Bhoopali (Marathi) and Babla (Bengali). This was the first International Film Festival held anywhere in Asia. The notable world panorama during the festival were Bicycle Thieves , Miracle in Milan , and Rome, Open City from Italy. Yukiwarisoo (Japan), The Dancing Fleese (UK), The River (US) and The Fall of Berlin (USSR).

Third IFFI

It was for the first time that the Indian Film Industry was exposed to a vast range of outstanding post-war era films. From the 3rd edition in January 1965, IFFI became competitive. It has since then moved to Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala. In 1975 the Filmotsav, non-competitive and to be held in other film-making cities in alternate years, was introduced. Later, Filmotsavs were merged into IFFI. In 2004 the IFFI was moved to Goa from Trivandrum. Since then IFFI has been an annual event and competitive. [7] The venue for the second festival held in 1961 which was also non-competitive was New Delhi. The third edition of the festival was chaired by Satyajit Ray. For the first time the festival became competitive, and was graded 'A' category by the Paris – based Federation International de Producers de Films. [8] With this recognition the festival in India came on par with Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Karlovy Vary, and Moscow International film festivals. [9]

Following this recognition, India adopted, at its fifth festival in 1975, 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 decided to hold a non-competitive festival of festival films (Filmotsav) alternating with IFFI. While the Filmotsavs were organized at major film – producing centres of India, IFFI was held in New Delhi only. [9]

The venue being the same for all festivals, the fourth and fifth festivals were held from 5–18 December 1969 and 30 December 1974-12 January 1975 respectively. From the sixth festival onwards the period, as well as the dates for the festival, were fixed as 3–17 January every alternate year. The sixth festival was held in 1977 and silver peacock for best actor, actress, and director was awarded for the first time. A film market was also set up for the first time by the IMPEC. The Indian Panorama section was instituted from this edition. [9]

Following a decision taken in August 1988 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that 3 more editions of festivals in future will be interim non-competitive, and all festivals would be called International Film Festival of India (IFFI). [10] The "Filmotsavs" and IFFI 90-91-92 together constituted 23 editions of the festival [11]

Chronology of IFFI and Filmotsav

EditionYearVenueCompetitive [8] [12] [13]
1st 24 January 1952 Mumbai No
2nd 27 October – 2 November 1961 New Delhi No
3rd 8–21 January 1965New DelhiYes
4th 5 – 18 December 1969New DelhiYes
5th 30 December 1974 – 12 January 1975New DelhiYes
Filmotsav14 November 1975 Kolkata No
Filmotsav2 – 15 January 1976MumbaiNo
6th 3–16 January 1977New DelhiYes
Filmotsav3 -16 January 1978 Chennai No
7th 3–16 January 1979New DelhiYes
Filmotsav3 -16 January 1980 Bengaluru No
8th 3–16 January 1981New DelhiYes
Filmotsav3 -16 January 1982KolkataNo
9th 3–16 January 1983New DelhiYes
Filmotsav3 -16 January 1984MumbaiNo
10th 3–16 January 1985New DelhiYes
Filmotsav10–24 January 1986 Hyderabad No
11th 10–24 January 1987New DelhiYes
Filmotsav10–24 January 1988 Thiruvananthapuram No
12th 10–24 January 1989New DelhiNo
IFFI' 90 10–20 January 1990KolkataNo
IFFI' 91 10–20 January 1991ChennaiNo
IFFI' 92 10–20 January 1992BengaluruNo
24th 10–20 January 1993New DelhiNo
25th 10–20 January 1994KolkataNo
26th 10–20 January 1995MumbaiNo
27th 10–20 January 1996New DelhiYes – Asian Women Directors
28th 10–20 January 1997ThiruvananthapuramNo
29th 10–20 January 1998New DelhiYes – Asian Directors
30th 10–20 January 1999HyderabadNo
31st 10–20 January 2000New DelhiYes – Asian Directors
32nd 2001 – CancelledCancelledNo
33rd 1–10 October 2002New DelhiYes – Asian Competition
34th 9 – 19 October 2003New DelhiYes – Asian Competition
35th 29 November - 9 December 2004 Goa Yes
36th 24 November - 4 December 2005Yes
37th 23 November - 3 December 2006Yes
38th 23 November - 3 December 2007Yes
39th 22 November - 1 December 2008Yes
40th 23 November - 3 December 2009Yes
41st 22 November - 2 December 2010Yes
42nd 23 - 30 November 2011Yes
43rd 20 - 30 November 2012Yes
44th 20 - 30 November 2013Yes
45th 20 - 30 November 2014Yes
46th 20 - 30 November 2015Yes
47th 20 - 28 November 2016Yes
48th 20 - 28 November 2017Yes
49th 20 - 28 November 2018Yes
50th 20 - 28 November 2019Yes
51st 16 - 24 January 2021Yes
52nd 20 - 28 November 2021Yes
53rd 20 - 28 November 2022Yes
54th 20 - 28 November 2023Yes
55th 20 - 28 November 2024Yes

Permanent venue

Since 2004, starting from the 35th edition, the International Film Festival of India, became globally competitive, and moved to its permanent venue Goa, and is being held during the months of November and December of each year. [14] The dates for the festival vary each year and there are no fixed dates. [15]

IFFI Awards

Main Prize - Golden Peacock Award

Silver Peacock Award

Special Award

OTT Award

Miscellany

See also

Related Research Articles

The 3rd International Film Festival of India was held from 8 to 21 January 1965 in New Delhi. The third edition was the first competitive film festival ever held in India, inaugurated by the then President of India Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. The festival Chaired by Satyajit Ray for the first time was graded ‘A’ category by the Paris - based Federation International de Producers de Films. With this recognition the festival in India came on par with Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Karlovy Vary and Moscow International film festivals.

The 42nd International Film Festival of India was held on 23 to 30 November 2011 in Goa. The International competition (Feature) was chaired by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, and Short film competition was chaired by Basu Bhattacharya. For the first time the 42d IFFI had launched its own poster with a depiction of fest motif "Peacock", made as a "dancing peacock" by veteran film design and art consultant Thotta Tharani. The IFFI signature film was conceptualized by veteran film maker Shaji Karun. New sections such as “Kaleidoscope”, 3 D, Animation, European discoveries, Master Classes and Russian Classics were included, along with the inaugural Best Director Award. Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan was the chief guest for the festival.

The 5th International Film Festival of India was held from 30 December 1974 - 12 January 1975 in New Delhi. India adopted, at its fifth festival, a permanent insignia at the fifth edition, representing the peacock, India's national bird, with a permanent motto of the festival "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam". The same year it was also decided to hold a non-competitive festival of films "Filmotsav" alternating with IFFI.

The 12th International Film Festival of India was held from 10-24 January 1989 in New Delhi. The festival 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). The "Filmotsavs" and IFFI 90-91-92 together constituted 23 editions of the festival. From the 1990 edition, the IFFI was decided to be held for 10 days.

The 31st International Film Festival of India was held from 10–20 January 2000 in New Delhi. The competitive edition was restricted to "Asian Directors". The follow-up 32nd IFFI edition was cancelled due to interim decision.

The 24th International Film Festival of India was held during 10-20 January 1993 at New Delhi.

The 41st International Film Festival of India was held from 22 November – 2 December 2010 in Goa. Veteran director Yash Chopra was the chief guest for this edition. The "Cannes Kaleidoscope 2010" was the highlight of the 41st edition. The "Best Actress" and "Best Actor" awards were re-instituted from this edition. The 41st edition paid homage to veteran French filmmaker Eric Rohmer. Six of his feature films were part of the festival. The platinum jubilee of Oriya Cinema was Commemorated and 26 Feature Films were screened. The edition also marked the commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the Film & Television Institute of India.

The IFFI Award for Best Actress (officially known as the Silver Peacock for the Best Actor Award (Female)) is an honor presented annually at the International Film Festival of India since 2010 to an actress for the best performance in a leading role in World cinema. Earlier the award was presented on various occasions at the 3rd IFFI for ensemble cast in "Nirjan Saikate", and Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres at 11th IFFI.

The IFFI Award for Best Actor (officially known as the Silver Peacock for the Best Actor Award (Male)) is an honor presented annually at the International Film Festival of India since 2010 to an actor for the best performance in a leading role in World cinema. Earlier the award was presented on two occasions at the 7th and 11th IFFI for two Indian actors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">51st International Film Festival of India</span> 2020 Indian film festival

The 51st International Film Festival of India was held from 16 to 24 January 2021 in Goa. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the festival went hybrid, there was physical and virtual screening of 50 films out of 224 films across various categories. Bangladesh was country of focus in the festival with four films of the country included in 'country of focus' section.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">52nd International Film Festival of India</span> 2021 Indian film festival

The 52nd International Film Festival of India opened on 20 November 2021 with The King of All the World by Carlos Saura in Goa. Like the 51st edition, this edition was held in a hybrid format which combined online and face-to-face participation. The BRICS Film Festival was held alongside main festival, in which films from BRICS nations, namely Brazil, Russia, South Africa, China and India were showcased. These five countries were 'the 'countries of focus' in the 52nd edition of the festival.

The 13th International Film Festival of India was held as IFFI' 90 during 10–20 January 1990 at the Empire Theatre in Kolkata. The festival was made interim non-competitive following a decision taken in August 1988 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The "Filmotsavs" and IFFI 90-91-92 together constituted 23 editions of the festival

The 14th International Film Festival of India was held as IFFI' 91 during 10–20 January 1991 at Chennai. The festival was made interim non-competitive following a decision taken in August 1988 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The "Filmotsavs" and IFFI 90-91-92 together constituted 23 editions of the festival

The 15th International Film Festival of India was held as IFFI' 92 during 10–20 January 1992 at Bengaluru.

The IFFI Best Film Award is the main prize of the International Film Festival of India presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India. It is one of several awards presented for feature films and awarded with the Golden Peacock a representation of the Peacock, India’s national bird, with a permanent motto of the festival Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The award is announced for films produced in a year across the world. The award was instituted in 1965 from the 3rd IFFI competitive edition.

The IFFI Award for Best Director is an honor presented annually at the International Film Festival of India since the 40th IFFI 2009 for the best direction in World cinema. Earlier the award was presented as the "Silver Peacock for the Most Promising Asian Director" during "31st IFFI 2000" to "39th IFFI 2008"

The IFFI Award for Best Debut Director is an honor presented annually at the International Film Festival of India since the 47th IFFI 2016 for the best debut film direction in World cinema. The IFFI Award for Best Indian Debut Director was instituted since the 55th IFFI 2024 for the best debut film direction in Indian cinema.

The IFFI Special Jury Award and Special Mention are the two honors presented annually at the International Film Festival of India for excellency in Film Art in World cinema. It was first presented during the 4th IFFI 1969. The award was later re-instated since 29th IFFI 1998. On the occasion of 100 years of Indian cinema, centenary awards were conferred during 2012, 2013, and 2014. The special mention is being awarded since the 46th IFFI 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">54th International Film Festival of India</span> 2023 Indian film festival

The 54th International Film Festival of India opened on 20 November 2023 with Catching Dust by Stuart Gatt in Goa. Shekhar Kapur an Indian filmmaker served as chairperson of the international jury. This year a new award category Best Web Series Award was introduced in the festival. 32 entries in 10 languages from 15 Over-the-top media service platforms were selected to compete for this award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">55th International Film Festival of India</span> 2024 Indian film festival

The 55th International Film Festival of India took place from 20 to 28 November, 2024 at Panaji, Goa. The theme of this year's festival is 'Young Filmmakers – The Future is Now', so this year a new section and award category 'Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film' has been introduced in the festival to encourage young blood. The award constitutes of a certificate and cash prize of ₹5 lakh in recognition of young directorial talent from India. The festival screened over 180 international films from 81 countries, including 15 world premieres.

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