Panaji: Goa readies itself to be star-struck as the week-long 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) commences with a glittering Opening Ceremony at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium at 5 pm tomorrow.
The gala opening ceremony, amidst the presence of cinematic legends, promises to deliver an unforgettable evening of cultural performances that will remain etched in the hearts of cinema lovers for a long. It will be hosted by popular film personalities Abhishek Banerjee and Bhumi Pednekar.
The 55th IFFI to be held from 20th to 28th November 2024, promises to be a grand celebration of cinematic art and creativity. Iconic filmmakers and creators such as Subhash Ghai, Dinesh Vijan, Amar Kaushik, NM Suresh, RK Selvamani, Ishari Ganeshan, Ravi Kotarakara and lyricist Prasoon Joshi will attend the Opening Ceremony.
Renowned actors Nagarjuna, Nitya Menon, Aamla, Vikrant Massey, Rakul Preet, Manushi Chillar, Boman Irani, Rajkummar Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, Jaideep Ahlawat, Randeep Hooda, Sanya Malhotra, Jayam Ravi, Jacky Bhagnani, R. Sarath Kumar, Mukta Barve, Sonalee Kulkarni and Radhakrishnan Parthiban will also be present besides other dignitaries.
This dazzling gathering of cinema icons is a resounding affirmation of the festival’s ability to bring together the best of Indian and international film talent. IFFI has been held in Goa since 2004.
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The opening ceremony will commence with breathtaking performances, showcasing India’s diverse cultural and religious traditions. The audience will experience the spiritual essence of Indian culture. Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is also invited to “inspire attendees with a special address”.
A special ’90s Rewind: Dance Explosion’ will bring nostalgia to life with electrifying performances on iconic Bollywood hits, while a poetic tribute, “Timeless Souls,” will honour cinematic legends such as Raj Kapoor, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Mohammed Rafi through visuals, music and poetry.
Bringing music, art, and culture to the heart of entertainment, the 55th IFFI will also unveil IFFIESTA, an exhilarating celebration to showcase a vibrant fusion of art, culture, and entertainment where the magic of cinema seamlessly intertwines with the pulse of live music and captivating performances. The event will offer a curated experience of exciting choices and musical showcases to suit the taste buds of the participants. Kala Academy, Panaji will be the host of the landmark initiative. It will present performances from various regional, traditional and cultural troupes coming from all over the country representing the unique and rich cultural diversity.
The IFFI opening ceremony will also highlight the evolution of Indian cinema, taking the audience through its journey from the silent era to modern cinematic masterpieces, concluding with a Grand Finale: The Cinematic Symphony, featuring a high-energy medley by Sunny Kaushal and Sanya Malhotra.
This year’s festival is featuring Australia as the ‘Country of Focus’. The Jannawi Dance Clan, an Australian First Nations dance group, will present an enthralling cultural program, promoting international cultural exchange. The festivities will commence with the Red Carpet Premiere of the Opening Film – ‘Better Man’, directed by Australian filmmaker Michael Gracy, at Inox Panjim at 2:00 pm. It will be attended by Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw along with Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Dr L. Murugan. On the occasion, the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant will welcome guests to the beautiful coastal state.
For the first time in IFFI’s history, the opening ceremony will feature live Indian sign language interpretation, ensuring that all attendees, including those with hearing difficulties, can fully engage and enjoy the festival.
A major highlight of IFFI 2024 will be the ‘Accessible India Films Section’, where select Indian and international films enhanced with audio descriptions and Indian Sign Language, will be screened. This will allow visually and hearing-impaired audiences to immerse themselves in the narratives.
This new chapter in accessible cinema will open with a classical dance performance in Indian Sign Language by the acclaimed artist Methil Devika, symbolizing the festival’s commitment to inclusivity. The section commences on November 22, 2024, with a screening of 12th Fail, featuring audio descriptions and sign language interpretation. The other movies in this section are Bartali’s Bicycle; Beyond the Court: The Indian Wheelchair Basketball Journey; (both films to be screened on November 24, 2024, at 5:00 pm with audio description and live sign language); Stride; India Votes #WorldsLargestElection; When Opportunity Knocks the Recruiter’s Door (all these three films will be screened on November 26, 2024, at 11:45 am with audio description and sign language).
55th IFFI will also screen Indian and International films with audio descriptions supported through the app, further enhancing the inclusive screening experience. Visually impaired individuals can enjoy movies with the Moviebuff Access app developed by Qube Cinemas. Participants will have to simply connect to the venue’s WiFi in order to stream descriptive audio directly to their phones.
Following are the national and international film screenings with audio descriptions through app features:
- Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (Opening Film) – November 21, 11:00 AM
- Piano Lessons (USA) – November 21, 12:45 PM
- Gharat Ganpati – November 22, 12:45 PM
- Mahavatar Narsimha (World Premiere) – November 24, 4:30 PM
- Sam Bahadur – Directed by Meghna Gulzar, November 24, 8:00 PM
- The Rooster (Australia) – November 24, 5:15 PM
- Article 370 – November 26, 8:00 PM
- Addition (Australia) – November 27, 10:15 PM
– global bihari bureau
