The 1st edition of IFFI was organized by the Films Division, Government of India, with the patronage of the first Prime Minister of India. Held in Mumbai from 24 January to 1 February 1952, the Festival was subsequently taken to Madras, Delhi and Calcutta. In all it had about 40 features and 100 short films. In Delhi, the IFFI was inaugurated by Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on 21 February 1952.
Since its beginnings in 1952 the IFFI has been the biggest event of its type in India. Subsequent IFFI’s were held in New Delhi. From the 3rd edition in January 1965, IFFI’s became competitive. In 1975 the Filmotsav, non-competitive and to be held in other filmmaking cities in alternate years, was introduced. Later, Filmotsavs were merged in IFFI’s. In 2004 the IFFI was moved to Goa. Since then the IFFI has been an annual event and competitive.
IFFI in Latest News
SRK inaugurates 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa
The 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened with the ritualistic lighting of the festival lamp by the Hon’ble Minister of Information and Broadcasting Smt. Ambika Soni, Shri Uday Kumar Varma-Secretary (Films), Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa Shri Digambar Kamat, Shri Sanjay Shrivastava-Chief Secretary Goa, Festival Director Shri Shankar Mohan, Shri Manoj Shrivastav-CEO, ESG along with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Bengali cinema actress Rituparna Sengupta, who officially kicked off the biggest cinematic extravaganza of the entertainment world.
The dignitaries lead a star studded gathering of national and international luminaries who have come together to make this festival the grandest celebration of cinema of the world. Hosted by the suave Rahul Khanna and elegant Tisca Chopra, the event showcased the cultural diversity of the country which intermingled with a confluence of movie minds made for the perfect convergence of the world at the Indian shores.
Starting with the handing over of bouquets to the dignitaries by Rituparna Sengupta, the opening was followed by the welcome address by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa Shri Digambar Kamat who talked about the way cinema has prospered under IFFI and the support of the Government of Goa in establishing IFFI as a global cinema brand.
Addressing the audience, Smt Ambika Soni stressed on the growing eminence of Indian cinema and talked how IFFI has become an agent of the growing acceptance of Indian cinema and has given an impetus and an identity to the industry making it one of the most prosperous film industries of the world.
The King of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan while expressing happiness on being a part of this cinematic extravaganza and talking about his experiences at film fiestas and the growth of cinema as a whole shared that Indian cinema is on a rise and IFFI has played an integral part in its global acceptability. While IFFI has given a platform to Indian filmmakers to showcase their creativity to connoisseurs of the world, it has also brought international ideas to Indian shores.