The 55 edition of international Film Festival of India will be treading a new path with the film industry now handling the festival. It would be a festival by the industry and led by the industry. This was revealed at the press conference held yesterday in Delhi. Shekhar Kapur, director of the film festival said it was a top film festival and this year the theme would be Future is now.
The initiative of the Creative Minds of Tomorrow platform has been enhanced to support 100 young talents from 75 in the previous editions. A total of 400 young film students, from film schools across the country, are being facilitated by the Ministry to attend IFFI. The festival will open with the Asia premiere of Michael Gracey’s ‘Better Man’, an Australian film that offers a captivating glimpse into the life of the iconic British pop star Robbie Williams, portrayed as a chimpanzee by Jonno Davies in a ground-breaking motion-capture performance.
A new section and award of Best Debut Indian Director has been instituted, to recognize the young filmmaking talent across India. The masterclasses, panel discussions, film market and film packages have all been curated for the young creators. IFFI 2024 will also pay tribute to cinematic legends and will showcase diverse perspectives through special sections and exhibitions, bringing a unique experience to audiences in Goa.
Australia will be the Country of Focus for IFFI 2024, with a dedicated package of Australian films and a strong presence at the festival. Highlights include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Screen Australia and NFDC, for participation by leading Australian filmmakers in the festival and the Film Bazaar, and a showcase by AusFilm, promoting Australia’s unique filming locations & co-productions.
A curated selection of seven Australian films will be presented at IFFI 2024. The films will cover a diverse range of genres that will include critically acclaimed dramas, powerful documentaries, visually stunning thrillers and light-hearted comedies. These films will highlight Australia’s unique cultural identity, drawing from both indigenous and contemporary communities.
The Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also highlighted the collaborative essence of the 55th IFFI, describing it as a festival truly led by the industry and for the industry, with acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur serving as the Festival Director. Calling it historic, he mentioned, “For the first time in the history of the film festival, we have started the tradition of handing over the festival to the industry which is at the helm of this entire initiative.”
This year’s IFFI has received 1,676 submissions from 101 countries, a testament to the festival’s growing international standing. IFFI 2024 will present over 180+ international films from 81 countries, including 15 world premieres, 3 international premieres, 40 Asian premieres and 106 Indian premiers. As these are a selection of celebrated titles and award-winning films from the global circuit, this year’s festival is set to leave a lasting impact on audiences.
IFFI 2024 is to present the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award to Philip Noyce, the celebrated and awarded Australian director. He is known for his exceptional storytelling and mastery in creating suspenseful, culturally resonant films. Noyce's filmography includes iconic films like ‘Patriot Games’, ‘Clear’ and ‘Present Danger’, ‘Salt’, ‘The Saint’, ‘The Bone Collector’ and many more. His collaborations with celebrated actors like Harrison Ford, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Denzel Washington, and Michael Caine, underscore his lasting impact on cinema.
To enhance the entire experience the carnival parade will be held on the first day of the film festival. For the first time there will be 25 pavilions at the Film Bazzar with 10 Indian states being represented for the first time. Film personalities like AR Rehman, Shabana Azmi, Mani Ratnam and Philip Noyce will be part of the festival. A total of four theaters of INOX Margao and two at INOX, Ponda have been added this year for festival screenings. More than 270 films will be showcased during the festival at 5 venues – INOX Panjim, Maquinez Palace, INOX Porvorim, INOX Margao, INOX Ponda and Z Square Samrat Ashok. Additionally, five Picture Time inflatable theatres are being put across Goa for film screenings.
Who is Philip Noyce?
Phillip Noyce is an Australian film and television director. Since 1977, he has directed over 19 feature films in various genres, including historical dramas. Noyce released his first professional film in 1975. Many of his films feature espionage. Moving with his young family to the US in 1991, Noyce directed five films over the following eight years, of which ‘Clear and Present Danger’, starring Harrison Ford, was the most successful, critically and commercially, grossing $216 million. Noyce was also lauded for ‘The Quiet American’, the 2002 adaptation of Graham Greene’s novel, which gave Michael Caine an Academy Award Best Actor nomination and earned best director awards from London Film Critics Circle and National Board of Review in the US. In late 2021, a 17 feature and 10 shorts retrospective of Noyce's work was presented at the Cinematheque Francaise in Paris.