Biswajeet chosen Indian Personality of the Year at IFFI

The 51st edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was inaugurated at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Indoor Stadium in Panaji, Goa, today at a glittering function attended by dignitaries, artistes and filmmakers.

The inaugural ceremony was hosted by actress-producer Tisca Chopra and attended by Union information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar and Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant.

Javadekar said as many as 600 international and 190 Indian entries had been received for this edition of the festival, which was postponed from its usual November slot on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said this reflects the importance the world attaches to the festival.

The minister also announced that on the occasion of the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder and first prime minister of Bangladesh, India and Bangladesh will be coming together to make a film titled Bangabandhu. He also announced that veteran actor Biswajeet has been chosen for the Indian Personality of the Year award.

Mohammad Imran, Bangladesh's high commissioner for India, was present at the function. Bangladesh is the focus country of the festival this year. Imran said, “We thank the ministry of information and broadcasting, government of India, for organizing this festival in this challenging time. It shows the commitment and courage you have to face and overcome the challenging situation as well as your passion and love for arts and culture.”

The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Italian cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. In a video message, Storaro thanked IFFI for recognizing his journey.

A total of 126 films from 60 countries will be screened at the festival. The screenings will be held in theatres while the masterclasses and in-conversation sessions will be held virtually. Renowned film personalities Shekhar Kapur, Priyadarshan, Pablo Cesar and Prasanna Vithanage will be a part of some of these sessions.

The retrospective section will showcase the films of the legendary Satyajit Ray, whose birth centenary is being celebrated this year. The festival will also screen four films of Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, whose 150th birth anniversary was celebrated last year. The festival will also pay homage to 18 film personalities who died in the period since its 50th edition in 2019.

Several celebrities sent in their good wishes to the festival through video messages.