49th edition
of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) inaugurated in the presence
of film luminaries in Panjim, Goa.
The
opening ceremony of IFFI 2018 was anchored by Mandira Bedi and Amit Sadh and saw the presence of
eminent Indian and international film personalities such as Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, Randhir Kapoor, Prasoon Joshi, Julien Landais, Barbara Meier, Nicolas Hau, Lois Robbins,
Siddharth Roy Kapoor, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Robert Glinski, Tom Fitzpatrick,
Poonam Dhillon, Hrishita
Bhatt, Madhur Bhandarkar, Subhash Ghai, Arijit Singh, Ramesh Sippy, Chin Han Union Minister of State
for Information & Broadcasting,(IC) Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore,
Governor of Goa Mridula Sinha, Secretary Information & Broadcasting Amit
Khare, IFFI Festival Director Chaitanya Prasad, Chairman Jury Robert Glinski,
PWD Minister of Transport & River Navigation of Goa Ramakrishna alias Sudin
Dhavalikar, Chief Secretary of Goa Dharmendra Sharma and Chairman ESG
Rajendra Talak
Union
Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said
that “India is a land of storytellers where every person has a story to tell.
These stories inspire and entertain us. IFFI is a platform for our young
generation to showcase their talent. It is a platform for the international
filmmakers to see India and explore the talent that we have. It is a great
collaboration for both the sides. It is incredible of the Information and
Broadcasting team and Entertainment Society of Goa to have an event on such a
massive scale. PWD Minister of Transport & River Navigation of Goa
Ramakrishna alias Mr Sudin Dhavalikar said, “Goa is a state of colours and its
effervescent culture and welcoming nature makes it a perfect destination to
host IFFI. The festival aims at providing platform for cinema lovers and those
from the field of art. At the 49th IFFI, I take this
opportunity to thank Hon. CM of Goa, Manohar Parrikar who made sure that Goa
got the privilege to host IFFI. He did not leave any stone unturned for its
preparation since the first time it was hosted at Goa fifteen years ago.”
The
inaugural ceremony also witnessed some audio visual performances which started
with a medley dance performance of songs from some of the best Indian films
depicting the country’s vibrant history. The versatile singer Shilpa Rao sang
popular songs from across the country in multiple languages such as Bengali,
Punjabi, Hindi and a beautiful rendition of the timeless, “Aaj Jaane Ki Zidd
Na Karo.” Actor Sonu Sood then took over and set the stage on fire
with his dance skills.The opening ceremony of IFFI 2018 also saw the launch of
the Web Portal of Film Facilitation Office (FFO) that
was launched by Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the Union Minister of State (I
& B). The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting set up the Film
Facilitation Office (FFO) in NFDC in 2015 with a view to promote and facilitate
film shootings by foreign filmmakers in India, the services of which have now
been extended to Indian film makers as well. Film Offices set up by states
highlight their film policy, their efforts to ensure a smooth filming process,
showcase their locations and acquaint the filmmakers and the fraternity about
the incentives/rebates/subsidies offered for filming in their respective
states. In order to disseminate information regarding filming in India, the FFO
has now developed a Web Portal.
Israeli
master craftsman Dan Wolman was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at
the opening ceremony . This year IFFI has chosen to focus on Israeli cinema.
The
opening ceremony was followed by the screening of the Opening film of IFFI 2018
– the World Premiere of The Aspern Papers, at Kala Academy.
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