BSS-41 Int’l Film Festival of India kicks off, Bangladesh as ‘Country of Focus’

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BSS-41

INDIA-FESTIVAL-FILM- BANGALADESH

Int’l Film Festival of India kicks off, Bangladesh as ‘Country of Focus’

NEW DELHI, Jan 16, 2021 (BSS) – The 51st edition of the
International Film Festival of India (IFFI) kicked off in Goa, India’s
southwestern coast and an offshore island, today amidst a dazzling
ceremony celebrating the joy of cinema.

Bangladesh for the first time has been nominated as the “Country of
Focus” in the festival that will screen 10 Bangladeshi feature films
during the nine-day long India’s biggest film festival showcasing the
country’s cinematic excellence and contributions to the world of
cinema.

India’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar
inaugurated the festival while Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant and
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Mohammad Imran were present on
the occasion.

Actor, author and film-producer Tisca Chopra hosted the opening
ceremony as eminent film-maker Priyadarshan Nair and noted actor
Sudeep were also present, among others.

Inaugurating the festival, Javadekar announced that Bangladesh and
India are going to make a film titled “Bangabandhu” based on the lives
and struggle of Bangladesh’s Founding Father Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman marking his 100th birth anniversary.

The shooting of the film “Bangabandhu” directed by India’s eminent
film Director Shyam Bengal begins in Mumbai on January 19, he said.

The minister said a total of 600 International entries and 190
Indian entries have been received this year, reflecting the huge
importance the world attaches to it.

The minister said film is not only a source of entertainment, but
also a big market. “Human being is an imaginative being; films, which
appeal to the imagination make us laugh, cry and make us one, united
in the story. If the story is told well, the film will become
popular.”

Bangladesh envoy said the fact that Bangladesh is the focus country
of this year’s film festival is a testimony of the depth of relations
and a historic bind between India and Bangladesh apart from
recognition of the creativity and ingenuity of the film makers of
Bangladesh.

He thanked the India’s Information ministry for organizing this
festival in this challenging (pandemic) 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”, he added.

Veteran Actor and Director Biswajit Chatterjee has been conferred
Indian Personality of the Year Award. The Lifetime Achievement in the
51st IFFI has been given to Italian cinematographer Vittorio Storaro.

In the 51st IFFI, 126 films from 60 countries will be showcased in
International sections while 85 films out of these will be premiere
screenings, including 7 World Premieres, 6 International Premieres, 22
Asian Premieres and 50 Indian Premieres, according to festival
sources.

Master classes and In-conversation sessions, which have been the
highlight of IFFI over the years, will also be held virtually.
Renowned film personalities like Shekhar Kapur, Priyadarshan, Pablo
Cesar (from Argentina) and Prasanna Vithanage (from Sri Lanka) will be
sharing their experience for these sessions.

A retrospective section will showcase legendary film-maker Satyajit
Ray’s popular classics like Pather Panchali, Shatranj Ke Khilari,
Charulata, Ghare Baire and Sonar Kella.

IFFI will also pay Homage to 18 film personalities who passed away
in the previous year. This includes much loved personalities like
Irrfan Khan, Rishi Kapoor, S.P Balasubrahmanyam, Soumitra Chatterjee,
Sushant Singh Rajput and Basu Chatterjee, sources added.

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