IFFI 50, III: 50^th festival since 1952

Started way back in 1952, the first ever IFFI was organised by the Films Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, with the patronage of the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. This was also the first International Film Festival held anywhere in Asia. It inspired many budding talents to become film-makers, especially the film Bicycle Thieves, which remains a classic 70 years later. Seen in the picture, right at the centre, is actress-singer Suraiya.

The inaugural edition at the film capital of the country, Bombay (now Mumbai), started off on a positive note, with the United States participating, with as many as 40 feature films and about a hundred short films screened. Indian films at IFFI 1 were Awara (Hindi), Patala Bhairavi (Telugu), Amar Bhoopali (Marathi) and Babla (Bengali). For the first two decades, it was not an annual event, and became a yearly fixture only after 1975. The festival was subsequently taken to the cities of Madras, Delhi and Calcutta, in the next few years.

With the induction of Competition Category during its 3rd edition, Chaired by Satyajit Ray, the Sri Lankan film Gamperaliya (Storm in the Village), directed by Lester James Peries, became the first recipient of the Golden Peacock Award. By the 5th edition, IFFI became the only Indian member of FIAPF (Fédération Internationale des Associations de Producteurs de Films) and was classified as an “A” grade festival. Post this, the festival travelled to various cities across the country during which the non-competitive, vernacular Filmotsavs were merged to IFFI. Filmotsav was held in Mumbai in 1976, 1984 and 1995. In 2001, the festival was cancelled, due to the twin tower attacks in the US, on 9-11.

The efforts of the Government of Goa, under the leadership of the then Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar (now no more) brought IFFI to Goa from 2004. Initially, the state had to face a lot of cynicism due to the lack of infrastructure needed to cater to a festival of this magnitude and the weak film culture that prevailed back then. But, in sharp contrast to people’s doubts, a large number of delegates poured in, and made its first edition a success. I was the first person to arrive in Panaji, Goa, from outside Goa, a full three days before the festival began, and shared my experiences with the organising team and the media. The development of infrastructure like the new Patto bridge and INOX multiplex steered a clear path for Goa to continue hosting IFFI as an annual competitive festival.

The once sceptical scenario of Goa’s film culture changed with a number of Konkani films getting made every year. Now, there are film-clubs flourishing in Goa, and the weekly releases at the multiplex are met with a lot of enthusiasm. In the last 14 years of its existence in Goa, around 12 Konkani films have made their way to the Panorama category of Indian cinema in IFFI. This has also invited the interests of various other vernacular films and artistes to come out and participate in this category and gain a world-wide recognition.

With 67 years of existence and fifteen years’ presence in Goa, IFFI has grown massively, in both quantitative and qualitative terms. This year, there are a whopping 1,000 entries, from over 100 countries across the world.

IFFI, which was earlier a 15-day affair and an eleven day fiesta in 2015 has been reduced to 9 days this time. Repeat screenings have been reduced but new film screenings are retained.

Over the years, IFFI has witnessed renowned personalities from across the country and the world coming down to attend this. The festival has had celebrities like Shashi Kapoor, ShahRukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajanikanth, A.R. Rahman, Sanjay Dutt, Ilayaraja, Salman Khan, KamalHaasan, Shekhar Kapur, Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar and many more, as a Chief Guest and Speaker, over the years. The International Film Festival of India has also had the likes of Gen Y Film personalities, like Rajkummar Rao, Radhika Apte, Bhumi Pednekar, Siddharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, Sushant Singh Rajput, Kalki Koechlin, Jim Sarbh, and so many more over the recent past.

Apart from the people, some of the most critically-acclaimed movies that IFFI has been showcased in the past five years include 120 BPM, Bicycle Thieves, Miracle in Milan and Rome-Open City from Italy. Yuki Warisoo (Japan), The Dancing Fleese (UK), The River (USA) and The Fall of Berlin (USSR). Some of the art films that performed well commercially, like Life of Pi, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, The Man Who Knew Infinity and The Reluctant Fundamentalist, have also found their place at the IFFI Premiere screenings.

Come, celebrate the golden jubilee of IFFI is picturesque Panaji.