Tavernier was full of humour, at receiving an award from a country that had not  released any of his films. But he said that he himself had been influenced by many Indian film-makers,including Satyajit Ray. Speaking of the importance of the cinema medium, the French Director informed that three  legislative laws had been changed in his country, thanks to his films.

Among the important sections, at the Festival, were those on Poland, Russian, as also a special section on ‘Football’ films, and  a new 3D section. 

There were  Master Classes by top  film-artistes like  Hugh Welchman, Laurence Kardish, Resul Pookutty, Max Howard.

The Artistic Director of the festival, Shankar Mohan ,who has worked with the festival for nearly two decades, and who took independent charge of the Govt-sponsored festival only this year, said he was ‘satisfied’ with IIFI 2011.  

 Among the Jury, this year, were Australian-Hollywood director Bruce Beresford and Turkish director Semih Kaplanoglu. Both directors have totally different cinematic styles and visions. But they both confessed that they shared one problem- the problem of getting funds, for their  films! 

Beresford, best known for  his Oscar winner ‘Driving Miss Daisy’  is an Australian director who has made films in different parts of the world, including  China ( 'Mao’s Last Dancer') ,and has also directed many operas.

An important seminar at the festival, discussed the ‘ Marketing of Malayalam Cinema’ and through that, the ‘ Marketing of Asian Cinema.’

 Festival Director Bina Paul said that this was a new addition to the festival.