1 0

Panaji, 28 November 2021

It is often said that all good things should come to an end; well, not for film festivals, definitely not for the International Film Festival of India, known fondly among film lovers and connoisseurs as IFFI. Yes, as the metaphorical curtains come down on the 52^nd edition of Asia’s oldest and largest film festival, the quintessential IFFI delegate will continue to carry within his or her bosom the flames of cinematic inspiration and boundless fascination for great film art. Flames which have been rekindled and given a new lease of life, thanks to the delectable kaleidoscope of artistic excellence, expertly curated and drawn eclectically from the latest and best of Indian and world cinema, and offered to IFFI delegates both on and off the screen, during the nine-day film festival, held in Goa in a hybrid format, during November 20 – 28, 2021.

Yes, a true film lover can and will never have enough of the celebration of films; owing to him and her and to the evangelizing influence of passionate admirers of the art and science of filmmaking, film festivals such as IFFI will live on even as they close officially, their electrifying spirit reverberating in the minds and illuminating the hearts of the people who have been fortunate to have had even as much as a brush with the celebration.

It is with this spirit of continuity and the quest for scaling new heights of excellence that the 52^nd edition of IFFI came to a glittering close, at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, in Goa today, November 28, 2021. The customarily glittering cultural performances and artistic extravaganzas apart, the highlight of the closing ceremony has of course been the wholesome recognition and celebration of great films and the people who create them, an enduring commitment the unalloyed furtherance of which is what lends IFFI its distinctive identity and imbues its organizers and other stakeholders contributing to it to strive tirelessly, stretching the festival’s arms closer and closer towards perfection, with each and every edition.

Honouring the Crème de la Crème of Indian and World Cinema: IFFI Awards

Japanese Film ‘Ring Wandering’ by Masakazu Kaneko has been adjudged to be the Best Film at IFFI 52, and has been conferred with the prestigious Golden Peacock Award at the 52nd edition of IFFI.

Director Masakazu Kaneko receives the Golden Peacock and a Certificate, in addition to a cash prize of Rs. 20 lakh; while producer of the film Takashi Shiotsuki receives a certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 20 lakh.

Expressing their commendation for the film, the International Competition Jury of the festival has described the 2021 film Ringu Wandaringu as a beautifully photographed combination of fantasy and manga-inspired reality, reflecting a fascination with the echoes of the past reverberating in present-day Japanese society

The Golden Peacock Award consists of a cash prize of Rs. 40 lakhs (Rs. 4 million) and a certificate.

The Silver Peacock for the Best Director has been conferred to Czech Director Václav Kadrnka’s Saving One Who Is Dead, a Czech film which holds out a candle of hope even amidst the winter of hopelessness.

The jury has praised the film to be a very masterful and confidently envisioned visual tale of a mother and son caught in a twilight which conjures imaginations of life and death, where each portrait-style frame is composed and performed with telling details. Read more here.

The Silver Peacock for Best Director carries a certificate and cash award of 15 lakh rupees (Rs. 1.5 million).

Indian and Marathi Actor Jitendra Bhikulal Joshi receives Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Male), for portraying Late Marathi actor and filmmaker Nishikant Kamat in Godavari.

The International Jury notes that the troubled Nishikant’s fiery-eyed portrayal is engaging and mournful. Although his character is quite complex, his brilliant performance made it flow like a river from his rage to tears, commends the jury. Joshi receives the Silver Peacock, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh.

Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Female) goes to Spanish Actor Angela Molina for her role as Charlotte, a captivating performance which elicits sympathy and frustration in equal measure.

Angela Molina is awarded the Best Actor at #IFFI52 for her film 'Charlotte'#IFFIAwards

Watch the trailer of the film📽️ pic.twitter.com/1oGrPfdrqy

— PIB India (@PIB_India) November 28, 2021

In its citation, the jury observes that Angela Molina is playing a character who as an aged Diva, is both manipulative and insecure. “She gives a performance that elicits sympathy and frustration in equal measure and has a beguiling on-camera presence that captivated all of the jurors.” Read more here. Molina receives the Silver Peacock, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh.

Marathi film Godavari by Nikhil Mahajan and Brazilian Actor Renata Carvalho who has acted in Director Rodrigo de Oliveira’s The First Fallen share Silver Peacock for Special Jury Award.

The Special Jury Award is given to a film (for any aspect of the film which the jury wishes to award or acknowledge) or an individual (for his/her artistic contribution to a film). The award, when given to a film, is given to the director of the film.

Nikhil Mahajan’s Godavari tells the story of one man’s philosophical quest to preserve age-old traditions and culture, inspired and triggered by his relationship with the river Godavari. Here is how the jury has characterized the film, which aims to provide posterity with a snapshot of the situation of the river in the year 2020. “Godavari is an unbelievable metaphoric depiction of mighty river Godavari, how in changing time, rivers can become filthy.”

The First Fallen is Director Rodrigo de Oliveira’s passionate and courageous attempt to chronicle the untold stories of suffering and discrimination suffered by the sexual minorities in 1980s Brazil, shares. The film is a portrait of the past that is at once long gone as well as very current. Brazilian actress and assistant director has received the Special Jury Award for her contribution to the film, which according to the jury, is “beyond just performance”.

The Special Jury Award consists of a Silver Peacock, a certificate and cash award of 15 lakh rupees (Rs. 1.5 million).

Russian film The DORM / Obschaga by Director Roman Vasyanov, has received a Special Mention from the International Competition Jury. The jury finds The Dorm, set in the erstwhile USSR of 1984, to have been well-narrated, depicting the complicated and corrupted society through the eyes of a few young people living in a university complex.

Director Mari Alessandrini’s Zahorí, the story of an intrepid young girl who revolts against school and parents in order to realize her dream of independence, has bagged the IFFI 52 Award for Best Debut Feature Film of a Director.

Spanish film The Wealth of the World / La Riqueza del Mundo by debut director and actor Simon Farriol has received Special Mention from the Jury in the Debut Feature Film Competition Category.

Read more about the awards here.

“Lingui, The Sacred Bonds” wins ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Award at IFFI 52

The prestigious ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Award, given to a film that best reflects Mahatma Gandhi's ideals of peace, tolerance and non-violence, has been awarded to Lingui, The Sacred Bonds by Chad filmmaker Mahamat Saleh Haroun.

Internationally co-produced drama film Lingui, The Sacred Bonds is a bold portrayal of female struggles and a lesson in humanity. It recounts the story of the sacred relationship between a mother and daughter and their survival against the harsh laws set by men.

The Award consists of a certificate and a medal and is given as part of IFFI’s collaboration with the International Council for Film, Television and Audio-visual Communication (ICFT) Paris.

South African film Barakat and Russian film The Sun above Me Never Sets share Best Film Award at the BRICS Film Festival

The BRICS Film Festival having been held for the first time on the side-lines of IFFI, the Awards of the 7^th BRICS Film Festival have been announced at the closing ceremony today. Jury consists of five members, one from each of the five BRICS countries, led by Jury Chairman Rahul Rawail,

The Award for the Best Film has been conferred jointly on South African film Barakat and Russian film The Sun above Me Never Sets.

Filmmaker Lúcia Murat, voice of Brazil’s new cinema, has been awarded Best Director for her riveting documentary Ana.

Indian actor Dhanush wins Best actor (Male) for his raw and rustic portrayal of a farmer in Asuran.

Brazilian actress Lara Boldorini has been honoured with Best Actor (Female) for her coming-of-age role in On Wheels and Director Yan Han from China gets Special Mention Award for A Little Red Flower.

So, what guided the selection of these awards from the products of cinematic distinction created by the BRICS nations? The Chairman of BRICS Film Festival Jury said: “We watched 20 films. We were all practically on the same page when it came to the winners. That is the power of cinema and that is the way the world is moving ahead. We really wish our Prime Minister’s dream of making BRICS a force in the world to reckon with is realized soon.”

BRICS jury members were felicitated by Union I&B Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur.

Prasoon Joshi Receives Indian Film Personality of the Year Award 2021

Shri Prasoon Joshi, Lyricist and Chairperson, CBFC, has been presented the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award 2021. Known widely for his soulful and evocative lyrics in films, unique TV ads and socially relevant stories, Shri Joshi, a Padma Shri awardee and winner of multiple other national awards, exhorted young and budding filmmakers to begin cherishing and celebrating the state of confusion. “Young minds should start celebrating the state of confusion. Confusion is the most fertile state and the most discomforting, but the best ideas have their origin in confusion.”

Shri Joshi said success in filmmaking should be by design, not by the vagaries of chance. “I feel films should be magic but filmmaking should not be magic. I think success should be by design and not by chance. The chance we attach to filmmaking should reduce because we have got many brilliant minds in this country raring to go and make great films.”

He cautioned aspiring filmmakers that there is no shortcut to great cinema, so filmmakers should never think they will arrive somewhere by shortcut.

Shri Joshi and celebrated Indian and Bollywood actor Hema Malini have been conferred the award, as announced by the Union I&B Minister earlier. While Ms. Malini received the award at the opening ceremony of IFFI, Shri Joshi has been presented the award at the closing ceremony today.

52nd IFFI embraced new technology, gave platform to young talent”: Union I&B Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur at IFFI 52 Closing Ceremony

The Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur has reiterated the Government of India’s commitment to the promotion and cultivation of the finest forms of creative expression through the powerful medium of cinema.

The Minister told film lovers that the 52nd IFFI is spearheading us to new beginnings. “We have come together to celebrate our rich tradition of filmmaking and the art of storytelling through cinema. We have captivated audiences and recognized young talent, being in the midst of icons and legends of cinema.”

Terming the 52nd IFFI as a festival of many firsts, the Minister said that IFFI has been keeping up with the winds of change. “For the first time at this IFFI, we had the presence and enthusiastic participation of OTT platforms. IFFI has embraced new technologies, platform choices of audiences and has kept pace with changing times. We have also showcased best films from BRICS nations and we hope that this partnership blossoms further.”

The I&B Minister informed that IFFI has been getting bigger year by year. “At this IFFI, around 10,000 delegates from across the world, including filmmakers, students and cine enthusiasts participated in a hybrid format. There were 234 screenings in which nearly 450 hours of movies were screened. Total hours watched online comes to a whopping 30,000 plus hours.”

The I&B Minister highlighted  that this year’s IFFI presented a unique experience for the film enthusiasts with a diverse catalogue of more than 148 foreign films drawn from 73 countries. This festival witnessed 12 world premieres, 7 international premieres, 24 Asia premiers and 74 India premieres. 75 Indian films were screened, 17 of them specially selected under India @75 Section.

Speaking about the first-ever collaboration with OTT platforms, the Minister gave some details of the online events and participation at the festival. “More than 50 films were screened simultaneously on OTT platforms. 10 Master classes and In-Conversation sessions were organized in collaboration with OTT platforms.  Manoj Bajpayee, Hrithik Roshan, Shoojit Sircar amongst many other Masters of Cinema shared their experiences and art at the festival.”

The Minister appreciated Prasoon Joshi, who has been presented the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award for 2021. “Prasoon Joshi is not one with one talent, but a plethora of diverse talents. I am happy that Shri Joshi, along with actor Hema Malini, is being conferred the Award during the occasion of India's 75th year of Independence.”

The Minister promised everyone that IFFI will be held next year at the same time and place as that of this edition, i.e., during November 20 - 28, 2022 in Goa.

Household Names of Indian Cinema Add Glitter and Honour to the Closing Ceremony

The function has been graced by none other than the much-loved and eminently gracious Indian actor Madhuri Dixit, as Guest of Honour. Addressing film lovers on the occasion, Madhuri Dixit said that it is an honour to be part of IFFI 52, which she said is the biggest and the most recognized film festival in India. "It is heartening to note that IFFI provides a global platform to Indian content creators and technicians, allowing them to showcase the prowess of Indian entertainment on the global stage. It takes months, if not years, to offer a story to the audience. I would like to appreciate every filmmaker, artist and technician for the courage to hold to their dreams and for giving us the chance to fall in love with their stories.”

Acknowledging the contribution of women and their voices, Madhuri Dixit thanked IFFI for recognizing the contribution of Hema Malini, by honouring her with the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award at this edition of the IFFI. "I admire her, and I have admired her for so many years."

IFFI has in recent years showcased many films made by women or in which women have played important roles behind the camera; I applaud their contribution, said Madhuri Dixit.

IFFI this year has been very special, in recognizing new mediums of storytelling. Video streaming services have been made part of the festival storytelling for the first time, she said. "I strongly believe that video streaming over the last couple of years has brought about a huge change in how we create and consume entertainment. Together with TV and theatres, OTT platforms will continue to help our industry to go from strength to strength."

Women today play a lot of different roles in the film industry, as opposed to earlier times, when few women used to occupy leading roles. This is a wonderful time for women to be in films

Veteran actor, film producer and director Randhir Kapoor and actor Manoj Bajpayee and also were felicitated at the closing ceremony.

Thanking IFFI for the honour, Shri Manoj Bajpayee said that IFFI is a great vehicle to instigate and encourage new film makers. “India can a great force in the entertainment industry in the years to come and IFFI is going to play a major force in this.”

Addressing film lovers in the beach state and from across India and the world, the Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant reminisced about the many legendary artists and technicians who are and were from Goa have who are contributing immensely for the growth of film industry “Very few know that the first person to win National Award in Editing was Waman P. Bhonsle who was from Goa.”

The CM highlighted that youth from Goa have shown great enthusiasm as six films were screened under Goan section feature and non-feature films. Terming Goa as a beautiful place and its architecture as world-renowned, Shri Pramod Sawant said that due to these reasons, filmmakers have a special liking towards Goa.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to make film city in Goa, Shri Sawant said, “Our efforts will be on for setting up a film city and post-production centre in Goa. I am hopeful that with the support and guidance of the Prime Minister and Union I&B Minister, we will be able to fulfill this goal.”

Semkhor, Opening Film of Indian Panorama, receives Special Mention

Semkhor, the first-ever Dimasa Language Film to be screened at IFFI, which has also been selected to open the Indian Panorama Feature Film Category, has been honoured at the closing ceremony, with a special mention and felicitation of the Director Aimee Baruah. Union I&B Minister, Shri Anurag Thakur and noted actor Manoj Vajpayee jointly felicitated the actor-turned-director. The film deals with social taboos and tries to bring forth the struggles faced by the Dimasa community in Assam.

Appreciating Aimee Baruah, the Minister said: “Aimee Baruah had to stay for one year in the place occupied by the tribal community of Assam, in order to learn the Dimasa language, she had to brave various odds such as having to complete shooting early in the morning, in order to make the film.”

Addressing the closing ceremony Festival Director Shri Chaitanya Prasad said that the credit for the change in IFFI 52 format goes to Union I & B Minister. “From day one, the Minister wanted a different festival, which should be inspirational, edifying and leads from the front. The hybrid festival, organized by in a large country like India in the post-pandemic period, has set the tone for the global community to hold such festivals.”

Highlights of IFFI 52

Istevan Szabo and Martin Scorsese receive Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award

In recognition of their outstanding contribution to world cinema, Hungarian film director Istevan Szabo and American film director, producer, screenwriter and actor Martin Scorsese, two giants of international cinema, have been conferred the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening ceremony of the festival, held on November 20, 2021.

Conveying his acceptance through a video message, Istvan Szabo said, “I am deeply moved to realize the fact that Indians know my films and some of them even love it.”

Expressing his gratitude for being presented with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, Istvan Szabo reminisced in a video message, about his meeting with the legendary Satyajit Ray, which took place more than 30 years ago in the then Madras. “Ray invited me and my wife for dinner, which was excellent. We had a fantastic discussion on his films and film-making, our profession. It was a profound discussion that I will never forget.”

Istvan Szabo is one of the most critically acclaimed Hungarian film directors of the past few decades known for masterpieces like Mephisto (1981) and Father (1966).

Martin Scorsese is one of the major figures of the New Hollywood era, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential directors in film history.

Conveying his acceptance through a video message, the icon of international cinema said, “I am honoured to receive such an award named after one of the truly great filmmakers of all time and my inspiration, Satyajit Ray. I have returned to Ray’s work over and over again and every time I watch his movies, it becomes a whole new experience. Watching Pather Panchali was a revelatory experience for me and it opened a whole new world for me.”

IFFI Provides First-Ever Platform to 75 Budding “Creative Young Minds of Tomorrow”

As the country celebrates the 75^th year of our hard-earned freedom, with the fervour of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav diffusing across the length and breadth of the country, 75 young aspiring film makers have been given a rare chance to showcase their creativity at an international platform like IFFI, in a first-at-IFFI initiative.

The budding cinematic talents have been chosen, thanks to “75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow”, a novel initiative and brainchild of Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Anurag Thakur. The competition is an endeavour to encourage and recognise young creative minds and budding talent in the country.

The Minister expressed confidence that some of them will come back after a few years not just as a part of the film industry but also as icons of cinema. “The kind of encouragement they got - the master classes by the who-is-who of cinema industry, they are one of the lucky few to have got this opportunity.”

The 75 youngsters comprising 7 female and 68 male artists, all below 35 years of age, have been chosen based on their exquisite skills in different fields of film making including direction, editing, singing and screenplay, among others.

Notably, the youngest creative minds winner is the 16-year-old Aryan Kumar from Bihar who has been chosen for his skills in Film Direction. The list of 75 budding artists includes many who have been selected from various small towns and cities of India. They have come to IFFI, from 23 States/UTs of India, including five from the North Eastern States of Assam and Manipur and one from the J&K.

First Ever Collaboration with OTT Platforms

IFFI has kept up its progressive evolution and adaptation with the changing contours of technology, society, culture and the age-old and new-age opportunities and challenges which beset humanity in the 21st century digital and connected age. For the first time in the history of, all major OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, Sony and others, participated in the film festival through exclusive Masterclasses, content launches and previews, curated film package screenings, and various other on-ground and virtual events.

The participation of OTT platforms will become a regular feature in future, as announced by the Union I&B Secretary at the opening ceremony of the festival, on November 20, 2021.

One of the highlights of the collaboration was a three-day virtual Masterclass by none other than the internationally renowned Paris-based School of Image and Arts, GOBELINS, l'école de l'image. The masterclass has been organized by Netflix, as part of the collaboration.

Another notable event was the premiering of Aranyak, the new Netflix crime drama TV series starring renowned Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon. Weaved around a mysterious murder case involving the complex interplay of political manoeuvres, personal agendas and a beastly myth, everyone in the story is a suspect and everyone has a secret. Film delegates at IFFI got the opportunity to vicariously embark on the journey of solving the case, with the screening of the first episode of the series, at the festival today. The series has been premiered at the festival on November 26, 2021.

IFFI 52: An Insatiable Cornucopia of Consummate Cinematic Excellence

The 52^nd edition of IFFI presented more than 300 films, offering a palate to film lovers, the abundance and richness of which was rivalled only by film delegates’ unquenchable hunger for good cinema – a hunger which only intensifies, the more one tastes what is good. More than 300 films from the best of Indian and world cinema were screened, in both offline and virtual screenings, at the festival, evoking among film lovers the very range, depth and intensity of human emotions, thoughts, fears and aspirations which forms the constitutive bedrock and progressive instrument of the very human condition, which is but after all what films are a celebration of.

148 films, drawn from about 73 countries, were presented to film lovers in the International Section, opening the doors of their minds and the windows of their hearts to the lives, struggles and quests of peoples in diverse cultures and traditions, united by the common thread of humanity and the love of great works of art and cinema.

This edition of the festival boasts of an admirable record of 12 world premieres, about 7 international premieres, 26 Asia premieres and about 64 India premieres. The festival received 624 films from 95 countries this time, up from 69 countries in the previous edition.

The Power of the Dog directed by Jane Campion, Winner of Best Director at Venice Film Festival was screened as the Mid Fest Film.

Grand Prix Award winning movie of Director Asghar Farhadi, A Hero closes the festival today, following the closing ceremony.

The World Panorama Section of IFFI showcased 55 cinematic gems across the world. 11 Films have been presented in the Festival Kaleidoscope, including movies such as Titane (French) and Souad (Arabic).

In Memory of the Greats

Every edition of International Film Festival of India pays a tribute to the stalwarts that the film industry lost. The Homage section of 52nd IFFI 52 showcased the films of Bertrand Tavernier, Christopher Plummer, Jean-Claude Carriere and Jean-Paul Belmondo as a homage to the veterans. IFFI 52 paid Homage also to Indian film stalwarts Buddhadeb Das Gupta (Director), Dilip Kumar (Actor), Nedumudi Venu (Actor), Puneeth Rajkumar (Actor), Sanchari Vijay (Actor), Sumitra Bhave (Director), Surekha Sikri (Actress) and Waman Bhonsle (Film Editor).

The festival also paid a Special Tribute to Sir Sean Connery, the first James Bond on the big screen.

Retrospectives

Retrospective section in the 52nd IFFI featured renowned Hungarian filmmaker Bela Tarr and Russian filmmaker and stage director Andrei Konchalovsky.

An auteur filmmaker, Bela Tarr has created his own visual style. His films also have won accolades at Berlin, Cannes and Locarno Film Festival.

Konchalovsky’s films have won numerous accolades, including the Cannes Grand Prix Spécial du Jury, a FIPRESCI Award, two Silver Lions, three Golden Eagle Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award.

Select Fifty Nuggets of Inspiration from Film Personalities at IFFI

Presented below is an incompletely perfect slice of artistic beauty and inspiration which film lovers were able to soak themselves in, at this edition. We attempt to bring this curated collection, through the insightful, inspiring and often provocative thoughts shared by the filmmakers during the interactions held on the sidelines of the festival, between the creators and connoisseurs of the creative works of art.

1. Aspiring Directors should have strong conviction in their stories: Madhur Bhandarkar, at IFFI 52 Master class
2. The King of All the World is Carlos Saura’s comeback film to the world of fiction after a gap of 12 years: Eusebio Pacha, Producer of IFFI 52 Opening Film
3. Diversity in Film Makers is important for diverse films to emerge: IFFI 52 Indian Film Personality of the Year Awardee Prasoon Joshi at IFFI Master class
4. Aspiring Actors should train themselves as Olympic athletes: Hrithik Roshan
5. It is an honour to get film screened in IFFI: Actor Kartik Aryan
6. They are original, hence they are what they are: Aimee Baruah, Director and Actor of the first ever IFFI Indian Panorama Film in Dimasa Language
7. Non-feature films need to be given more space in theatres and OTT Platforms: IFFI 52 Indian Panorama Non Feature Section Chairperson
8. Veerangana: story of valour and courage of women protecting women screened at IFFI 52
9. Life of a middle class Indian is a comedy; it inspires my characters: Manoj Bajpayee at IFFI In-Conversation Session
10. Ray’s films are a must-watch, he has never stopped to inspire filmmakers: FTII Professor Ganga Mukhi at IFFI 52 Masterclass
11. It is beautiful to have the liberty to create what we want to see: ‘Rafaela’ Actor Judith Rodriguez at IFFI-52
12. Boomba Ride seeks to show society the immense potential of education in transforming the lives of people in rural areas: IFFI 52 Indian Panorama Film Director Biswajeet Bora
13. "Surmounting Challenges" reflects engineering hurdles faced during Phase-3 Delhi Metro :Director Anuj Dayal
14. “Leader” is an attempt to portray women from men’s perspective, says Korek Bojanowski, Producer of the IFFI 52 International Competition Film
15. I believe films should be snapshot of time and place: Director of “Godavari” Nikhil Mahajan at IFFI52
16. I wanted people to take Jallianwala Bagh with them when they finish watching “Sardar Udham”: Director Shoojit Sircar at IFFI 52 Masterclass
17. “21st Tiffin” pays tribute to all selfless women who have lost their identity in the tireless service of others: Vijaygiri Bava, Director of IFFI 52 Indian Panorama Film
18. “Dollu talks about how urbanisation has affected indigenous folk art forms”: IFFI 52 Indian Panorama Film Director Sagar Puranik
19. I wanted to show life in Post-Soviet Ukraine during 1990s through this film: Director of ‘Rhino’, Oleh Sentsov at IFFI 52
20. We have become insensitive to life outside our periphery, Loneliness in cities has become a serious worldwide disease: “The Knocker” Director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan at IFFI 52
21. ‘Bittersweet’ is the story of India’s Blood-Sugar: Director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan
22.  “Promises” is about what you do after you get power, how you fulfill your promises and change the lives of your citizens: IFFI 52 World Panorama Film Director Thomas Kruithof
23. Unique and engaging stories create stars: Director of ‘Alpha Beta Gamma’ Shankar Srikumar at IFFI 52
24. "Raj Kapoor: The Master at Work” is not about Raj Kapoor the showman, but ‘Raj Kapoor’ the passionate professional: Veteran filmmaker Rahul Rawail at IFFI 52 In-Conversation Session
25. Short films are an important part of professional journey of film directors: Cecile Blondel at IFFI52 Masterclass on Why Make Short Videos
26. Loneliness is almost like a pandemic now, my film has its origin in the curse of loneliness on us: Director of IFFI 52 Film “Manikbabur Megh”Abhinandan Banerjee
27. Sweet Biryani’ narrates the life and emotional trauma of a food delivery boy: Director K. Jeyachandra Hashmi at IFFI 52
28. I want to dedicate “ACT-1978” to every common man and woman of India, who has neither the power nor the voice to get things done at the hands of government officials: IFFI 52 Indian Panorama Feature Film Director Manjunatha S.
29. If differently abled people can love nature so selflessly, why can’t we? Asks Praveen Krupakar, Director of ‘Taledanda’ at IFFI 52
30. Why Battle of Marichjhapi is not in our history books, where 15,000 people were killed in just one night, asks Director of IFFI 52 Indian Panorama Non Feature Film “Sainbari to Sandeshkhali”
31. ‘The First Fallen’ traces the undocumented history of ‘first heroes’ – the LGBTQ community – and their fight against an unknown Virus: Brazilian Film maker Rodrigo de Oliveira at IFFI
32. Stories should inspire the audience, a good story has be about the conundrum of life and its various crises: Noted screenwriter Sab John Edathattil at IFFI 52 Masterclass
33. Why some can stay while others have to leave?' is the universal question we want to ask through ‘Any Day Now’: Antti Rautava, writer of IFFI 52 International Competition Film
34. “We humans are losing our ability to empathise, to show kindness and care” Jayaraj, Director of “Niraye Thathakalulla Maram (Tree Full of Parrots)
35. You need to feel the spark of liberation even during challenging times: Director Vaclav Kadrnka at IFFI 52
36. Sunny’s character is very simple and that makes it extremely difficult to portray him: Ranjith Sankar, Director of IFFI 52 Indian Panorama Feature Film “Sunny”
37. OTT platforms are not very different from multiplexes, parallel cinema will continue to suffer: Ranjith Sankar at IFFI 52
38. As an actor I try to grow with every character: Actor Mariano Palacios of movie “The Guest”
39. “Bhagavadajjukam” is my humble effort to create a light-hearted movie in Sanskrit language: Yadu Vijayakrishnan, Director of IFFI 52 Indian Panorama film
40. The Night Belongs to Lovers’ is an intimate story of love and desire: Director Julien Hilmoine at IFFI 52
41. ‘Koozhangal’ India’s official entry for 94th Academy Awards delineates sufferings of marital abuse.A simple story told in the simplest form touches the audience: Director Vinothraj P.S  
42. Independent cinema or small stories is not just for festivals, it is for everybody. Hope that in future, we will have no mainstream or independent cinema, but just cinema: Director Ganesh Hegde of Kannada film “Neeli Hakki”
43. IFFI52 Indian Panorama film ‘Sijou’ unveils the brutality of the feudal land tenure system prevalent across Indo-Bhutan border until 1958
44. Kalkokkho' is a phantasmagorical portrayal of human emotions, our extreme apathy and extreme humanity during crises. The  movie is temporal as well as timeless as we all are the victims of pandemic”:. : Director-duo Rajdeep Paul and Sarmistha Maiti of IFFI 52 Indian Panorama Feature Film
45. IFFI 52 Delegates get Global Perspective on Short Film Production, thanks to first ever festival collaboration with OTT Platforms.A Producer has to carry and give wings to an artist’s dreams until they become a reality: GOBELINS’ Shiraz Bazin Moussi at IFFI 52 Masterclass
46. BRICS Film fest held alongside IFFI for the first time.BRICS film festival getting more visibility inside the framework of IFFI: Thandi Davids, Jury Member
47. IFFI 52 Golden Peacock Contender “No Ground Beneath the Feet” Seeks to Portray How Climate Change can Impact and Psychologically Shatter Every Human Life
48. Kumpacho Dareyo” tells us to stay true to our roots even if we fly high and touch the skies; the destination of your journey determines your roots: IFFI 52 Goan Section Film Director Himanshu Singh
49. Goa has a lot more to it than the sun, sand and sea. I am trying to portray this through my films: Jitendra Shikerkar, Director of IFFI 52 Goan Section Film "D'Costa House"
50. ‘Ring Wandering’ is a saga of Tokyo’s hidden war-torn past: Director Masakazu Kaneko at IFFI 52  

So IFFI Never Ends

Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai    /PIBMumbai    /pibmumbai  pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com