51st IFFI 2021 inaugurated
with the cultural
performances focused on the local folk culture and music of Goa. The hybrid mode festival was inaugurated today at Dr. Shyama Prasad
Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Panaji in Goa. The Opening Ceremony of
the film festival has been hosted by actor, author - film-producer Tisca
Chopra. Filmmaker Priyadarshan and actor Sudeep being the Chief Guest, among
other celebrated film personalities present. The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Prakash
Javadekar and Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant, among other dignitaries, graced the ceremony.
Addressing the audience, Union Minister for Information and
Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar said that 600 International entries and 190 Indian
entries have been received this year. Javadekar
announced, on the occasion of 100th birth anniversary of
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the two countries together would make a film titled Bangabandhu.
Veteran Actor and Director Biswajit Chatterjee
has been conferred Indian Personality of the Year Award, he further announced.
The Chief
Minister of Goa Shri Pramod Sawant invited Indian and global film makers to explore
Goa,the jewel from the west coast of India.
The High
Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Mohammad Imran was also present on the
occasion. Bangladesh is the focus country of this edition of the festival. The Lifetime Achievement
in the 51st IFFI has been given
to Italian
legendary
cinematographer
Vittorio Storaro who worked with great directors like Bernardo Bertolucci,
Francis Coppola, Carlos Oliveira and Woody Allen. “They led me in a special
way, like in an orchestra, to use my language of light”, he said. In a word of
advice to young cinematographers, he said, “Study, research, prepare yourself.
Love what you do, only if you love and believe in something, you can make it”.
“India is a wonderful
universe which allows us to continue dreaming day by day, since everything is
possible in India”, said Chairman of International Jury, Argentine Film
Director Pablo Cesar, in a video message.
A
trailer of the festival’s opening film ‘Another Round’ by Danish filmmaker, Thomas Vinterberg was screened
in the opening ceremony. In the 51st IFFI, 126 films from 60 countries
will be showcased in International sections. 85 films out of these will be
premiere screenings, including 7 World Premieres, 6 International Premieres, 22
Asian Premieres and 50 Indian Premieres.
A
retrospective section will showcase legendary film-maker Satyajit Ray’s popular
classics like Pather Panchali, Shatranj Ke Khilari, Charulata, Ghare Baire and
Sonar Kella. On the occasion of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dadasaheb Phalke
,the father of Indian Cinema, four films by him will be screened. IFFI will
also pay Homage to 18 film personalities who passed away in the previous year.
This includes much loved personalities like Irrfan Khan, Rishi Kapoor, S.P
Balasubrahmanyam, Soumitra Chatterjee, Sushant Singh Rajput and Basu
Chatterjee.
Festival Director Chaitanya Prasad also spoke about
the hybrid texture of the festival and said the next few days are going to set
the standards for other film festivals.In her welcome address, Neerja Shekhar ,Additional
Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Chief Puneet Kumar, Secretary
of Goa, Amit Satija , Ravi Kottarakara .Secretary General of Film Federation of
India and IFFI Screening Committee Member, were also present.
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NFDC Film
Bazaar will be held this time in a hybrid format which will be both offline and
online. The Film Bazaar. 
