> IFFI GOA IN FOCUS by Siraj Syed
IFFI 2024, 17: Exposure, partial and full
Continuing and concluding my experiences of watching films at IFFI 2024, and walking out usually, after 30-40 minutes. MEETING WITH POL POT France, Cambodia (Kampuchea), Taiwan, Qatar, Turkey Three persons credited with the Screenplay, one of them being the author of the book, When the War was over: Cambodia and the, Khmer Rouge Revolution, by Elizabeth Becker, which must have been the basis of the film. Directed by Rithy Panh. It was nothing like I had expected from the tile and the ...
IFFI 2024, 16: Quality of films seen and the recurring walk-outs
IFFI 2024, 16: Quality of films seen and the recurring walk-outs You may find it incredible that I walked out of so many films, and I find it terrible that I had to. Never, in my living memory, have I walked out of so many films at any given film festival. IFFI 2024, however, took the cake. In the recent past, with films being polarised into block-buster, but inane, action extravaganzas and the well-intentioned small films that just do not have it in them to hold a viewer’s interest, ther...
IFFI 2024, 15: Accreditation for media-persons, and what they should expect if and when it is granted Setting-up and Opening MyIFFI (your account at the website), you can register on a form for getting accreditation as a media-person, to attend the International Film Festival of India, which is held regularly in Panaji, Goa (since 2004). If you fill the form correctly, meeting their expectations, some of which are very demanding, you will get a response that your application is registered. Th...
IFFI 2024, 14: The State Minister, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting does a recce of the locations When he was the Chief Minister of Goa, late Manohar Parrikar, personally supervised the upgrading of the roads and structures of the location, Panaji City. He was known as the most unassuming and hands-on Chief Minister in the country. That was in 2004, which was the year when Goa held its first IFFI. I personally saw him at work, doing all the duties that were demanded of a responsible...
IFFI 2024, 13: OOH La La Gala prèmieres and bouncers to protect the carpetbaggers
IFFI 2024, 13: OOH La La Gala prèmieres and bouncers to protect the carpetbaggers Gala premieres have become the most glamourous part of IFFI after it moved to Go, in 2004. They do draw audiences and photographers, but the regular film critic and film journalist is kept away from them. Camera and microphone men and women, who never bark but only byte, are the persons for whom this ceremony is engineered. Bouncers and other security personnel accompany the film team, as they are first l...
IFFI 2024, 13: OOH La La Gala prèmieres and bouncers to protect the carpetbaggers
IFFI 2024, 13: OOH La La Gala prèmieres and bouncers to protect the carpetbaggers Gala premieres have become the most glamourous part of IFFI after it moved to Go, in 2004. They do draw audiences and photographers, but the regular film critic and film journalist is kept away from them. Camera and microphone men and women, who never bark but only byte, are the persons for whom this ceremony is engineered. Bouncers and other security personnel accompany the film team, as they are first l...
IFFI 2024, 12: Creative Minds of tomorrow, and their five outstanding films
IFFI 2024, 12: Creative Minds of tomorrow, and their five outstanding films Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) is a platform designed to showcase the work of absolute beginners with enhanced to support 100 young talents, up from 75 in previous editions The number of participants in this section are a full 100. Last year, 75 young talents were picked, to co-incide with the 75 years of Independence. Five CMOT Champions are being will be recognised for their exceptional journeys. As the largest ...
IFFI 2024, 11: The competition section for international recognition
IFFI 2024, 11: The competition section for international recognition At IFFFI Goa 2024, the competition films are divided into two sections: Indian Panorama and the international competetion section. We have already listed the Panorama films in an earlier post. Now let us see which films of which directors and from which countries these films come. All films are sub-titled in English, according to international norms. Their screenings are held as part of the regular daily schedule, and someti...
The Sabarmati Report, Review: Pass or fail?
The Sabarmati Report, Review: Pass or fail? One song that is closely associated with Sabarmati goes ‘Dey dee hamen aazaadee bina khadag bina dhal, Sabarmati key sant tooney kar diya kamaal.’ The Sant (Saint) in this context was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma (great spirit) Gandhi, whom it extolls, for gaining independence for India by, non-violent means. Outside Gujarat, Indians know Sabarmati as a river in Gujarat, and the Sabarmati Express as a train. Wherea...
IFFI 2024, 10: Five Indian films to compete for newly instituted DEBeaUTiful film award
IFFI 21024, 10: Five Indian films to compete for newly instituted DEBeaUTiful film award With an aim to promote new and young talent in the country, the 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has instituted a new award category: Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film, which will showcase five remarkable debut films that highlight new perspectives, diverse narratives, and innovative cinematic styles, from across India. IFFI, scheduled to be held from November 20-28...
IFFI, 2024, 09: In an era of wars & super violent films, let’s talk about Mahatma Gandhi & peace
IFFI, 2024, 09: In an era of wars & super violent films, let’s talk about Mahatma Gandhi & peace ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal, a global award presented in partnership with (International Council for Film, Television and Audio-visual Communication (ICFT)/ Conseil International Du Cinéma, de la Télévision et de la Communication Audiovisuelle (CICT), Paris and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), will have 10 films competing fo...
IFFI 2024, 08: Hounouring icons, late ANR, Tapan Sinha, Mohammed Rafi and RAJ KAPOOR
IFFI 2024, 08: Hounouring icons, late ANR, Tapan Sinha, Mohammed Rafi and RAJ KAPOOR Doyens and maestros, late Raj Kapoor, Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), Mohammed Rafi and Tapan Sinha will be honoured with the centenary tribute, in the 100th year of their birthday at 55th IFFI. The IFFI gala in Goa will celebrate cinematic legends by presenting restored versions of their classic films, throughout its nine-day event. The festival’s opening ceremony on November 20 will pay tribute to these...
IFFI 2024, 07: Caution: Work in Progress, active pitching at Film Bazaar for 4 days
IFFI 2024, 07: Caution: Work in Progress, active pitching at Film Bazaar for 4 days The prestigious lab, based in South Asia's largest film market, has historically aimed to nurture emerging film-makers with developed projects before they reach audiences. For selected film-makers, the WIP Lab is a unique opportunity to benefit from the expert guidance and constructive criticism on their projects in the necessarily final stages of the work. Continuing to build upon this formula...
A brief history of Fantasporto going into its 45th edition in Porto
Let' s hear this fantastic story from the words of its very own founder our friend Mario Dorminsky pictured here with Bruno Chatelin and Beatriz Pacheco Pereira "The festival was born in 1980 at a table of a small coffee shop in the center of Oporto, heritage world town by UNESCO, in a conversation between the three founders, film critics Mário Dorminsky and Beatriz Pacheco Pereira and the painter José Manuel Pereira. It immediately presented in the first edition (1981)...
The line up for the 36th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) announced
Fest to Open with “Better Man” and Close with “The Penguin Lessons” Complete Line-up Includes 35 International Feature Film Oscar Submissions, a Spanish Film Focus, Pedro Almodóvar Spotlight, Talking Pictures, New Voices New Visions, Modern Masters, True Stories and World Cinema Now The 36th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) announced that the Fes...