The 49th International Film Festival of India Highlights

The 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2018 will be held in Goa from 20th to 28th November, 2018. 49th edition of the festival will showcase 212 films from over 68 countries, which reflects diversity of taste.

International Competition section has 15 films out of which 3 are Indian. Competition section itself represents films produced and co-produced by 22 countries.

Festival Kaleidoscope section carries 20 critically acclaimed international films that have been to major film festivals and majority of them being multiple award winners. This is one of the most sought after sections of the festival that showcases best and top films of the year.

World Panorama section has 67 films, which are specially curated for the festival. This includes 4 World Premieres, 2 International Premieres, 15 Asia Premieres and 60 India Premieres. This year World Panorama section presents 15 films, which are Oscar submissions from respective countries.

Retrospective of Ingmar Bergman

· On the occasion of the 100-year anniversary of Ingmar Bergman's birth, IFFI will showcase 7 best films of his career

· A documentary on Bergman titled "Bergman Island" directed by Marie Nyrerod which presents the master behind the camera has also been included in this section

· The official opening of this section is scheduled on 21st with Panel discussion followed by the screening of 'Wild Strawberries'

Wild at Heart Master in His Craft: Retrospective section of Ingmar Bergman: 2018 marks the 100-year anniversary of Ingmar Bergman's birth. On this occasion when 100-Year Jubilee is in full swing across the globe, IFFI showcases best 7 films of his career. A documentary on Bergman titled "Bergman Island" directed by Marie Nyrerod which presents the master behind the camera has also been included in this section. The official opening of this section is scheduled on 21st with Panel discussion followed by the screening of 'Wild Strawberries'.

Opening Film- World Premiere of The Aspern Papers

· The Festival will open with World Premiere of 'The Aspern Papers' with international star cast.

· The Aspern Papers tells a story of obsession, grandeur lost and dreams of Byronic adventures.

· The whole cast will be present for its premiere at the festival. Golden Globe winner Mr. Jonathan Rhys Meyers (lead actor), Oscar nominated actress Ms. Joely Richardson (lead actress), Ms. Julia Robins (actress), Daughter of Roman Polanski, Ms. Morgane Polanski (actress ) Mr. Nicolas Hau (actor) Mr. Julien Landais (director)Roman Polanski), and Nicolas Hau will be present at the screening.

The festival will open with World Premiere of 'The Aspern Papers' with international Star Cast. The Aspern Papers tells a story of obsession, grandeur lost and dreams of Byronic adventures.

Delegation: Mr. Jonathan Rhys Meyers (lead actor)- Golden Globe winner, Ms. Joely Richardson (lead actress)- Oscar nominated actress Ms. Julia Robins (actress) Ms. Morgane Polanski (actress and daughter of Roman Polanski) Mr. Nicolas Hau (actor) Mr. Julien Landais (director)

Country Focus- Israel

· Opening film for the Country Focus is 'The Other Story' by Avi Nesher

· Ten films from Israel will be screened in collaboration with the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai

· The famous Israeli Actor, Alon Aboutboul (known for Hollywood films including, Rambo III, Munich by Steven Spielberg, Body of Lies by Ridley Scott and The Dark Knight Rises) will be the special guest as part of Israel delegation.

· The Indo-Israeli Co-Production Seminar to be held on 22nd November 2018.

Every year IFFI features a Country of Focus that brings out the cinematic excellence and contributions of that particular Country. In its 49th edition of IFFI, the Country of Focus will be Israel. Ten films in collaboration with the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai, have been selected for the country focus package.

The Opening film for the Country Focus Section is 'The Other Story' by Avi Nesher. Important celebrities from Israel including the famous Israeli Actor, Alon Aboutboul, as our special guest from Israel, who has worked in several Hollywood films including, Rambo III, Munich by Steven Spielberg, Body of Lies by Ridley Scott and The Dark Knight Rises to name a few. The Indo-Israeli Co-production Seminar is slated to be held on 22nd November,2018.

A State focus - Jharkhand

· Movies in the Jharkhand Package include Death in the Gunj, Ranchi Diaries, Begum Jaan with others.

Jharkhand has been selected as the State of Focus for 49th IFFI 2018 and Jharkhand Day will be celebrated on 24th November,2018 as part of the festival. Movies in the Jharkhand Package include Death in the Gunj, Ranchi Diaries, Begum Jaan with others.

The International Competition jury

The International Competition jury comprises John Irvin, Adrian Sitaru, Polish Director Robert Glinski, Anna Ferraioli Ravel and Indian member Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

Indian Panorama- 26 feature and 21 non -feature Indian films

· OLU directed by Shaji N Karun as the Opening feature film of Indian Panorama

· Kharvas directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale as the Opening non-feature film of Indian Panorama

26 feature and 21 non -feature Indian films are selected by the Indian Panorama Jury to be screened as part of this section out of the hundreds of entries sent by filmmakers from various parts of the Country. The Feature film Jury selected the film OLU directed by Shaji N Karun as the Opening feature film of Indian Panorama 2018. The Non-Feature film Jury selected the film Kharvas directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale as the Opening non-feature film of Indian Panorama 2018. Prominent Feature films are as follows:

1 Olu (Opening film)

Malayalam Shaji N Karun?2 Nagarkirtan Bengali Kaushik Ganguly 3 Sa Bengali Arijit Singh?4 Uma Bengali Srijit Mukherji?5 Abyakto Bengali Arjun Dutta?6 Uronchondi Bengali Abhishek Saha

The Feature Film Jury of thirteen members was headed by acclaimed film director and screenwriter, Shri Rahul Rawail and the other prominent members included:

1. Major Ravi, Filmmaker & Actor 2. Shri Ahathian, Director 3. Shri Ujjwal Chatterjee, Director, Producer & Screenwriter 4. Shri Imo Singh, Director 5. Shri Utpal Datta, Filmmaker ...and others

The Non Feature Film Jury of seven members was headed by acclaimed film director and editor, Shri Vinod Ganatra. The Jury constituted of the following Members:

1. Shri Uday Shankar Pani, Filmmaker 2. Smt Parvati Menon, Director & Film educationist 3. Shri Mandar Talaulikar, Filmmaker 4. Shri Padmaraj Nair, Film Journalist 5. Shri Ashok Sharan, Actor & Producer 6. Shri Suneel Puranik, Actor, Director & Producer

Sketch on Screen (Animation Film Package)

Sketch on Screen (Animation Film Package) is a section will screen around 3 International Feature Length Films done in collaboration with Indian studios.

Indian Sports Biopics

· Gold, Mary Kom, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, 1983, MSD: The untold story and Soorma will be screened at the 49th IFFI as an extension of the Khelo India Branding.

Open Air Screenings are organized during the festival where a large screen is put up in a vast open area. This year as an extension of the Khelo India Branding, Indian Sports Biopics will be screened at the 49th IFFI. Films included in the section are Gold, Mary Kom, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, 1983, MSD: The untold story and Soorma.

ICFT prize consisting of the UNESCO Gandhi Medal to a film, which reflects the ideals PROMOTED by UNESCO

· This year 10 films will be showcased for selection of a film to be presented with this coveted award

IFFI collaborates with the International Council for Film, Audiovisual Communication (ICFT) Paris, to present a special ICFT prize consisting of the UNESCO Gandhi Medal to a film, which reflects the ideals PROMOTED by UNESCO. This year 10 films will be showcased for selection of a film to be presented with this coveted award.

Masterclasses and In-conversation section

Masterclasses and In-conversation section will feature several renowned celebrities from the Film Industry including Prasoon Joshi, Dan Wolman, Sreekar Prasad, Anil Kapoor, Sumit Israni, Boney Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Jahnvi Kapoor, David Dhawan, Varun Dhawan, Rohit Dhawan, Jairaj, Kaushik Ganguly,Shaji Karun, Srijit Mukhrjee, Sridhar and Sreeram Raghvan, Anupama Chopra, Rajiv masand, Bhawana Somaaya, Jason Hafford, Meghna Gulzar, Leena Yadav, Gauri Shinde.

A retrospective of films of the recipient of the most prestigious film award of the Country, Dadasaheb Phalke Award is showcased during IFFI. This year Vinod Khanna received the award posthumously. IFFI will be showcasing some of his best films including Achanak, Lekin and Amar Akbar Anthony.

Retrospective of the Lifetime Achievement Awardee section recognizes the contribution of our Lifetime Achievement Awardee in the field of Cinema by showcasing some of his/her best films. This year Mr. Dan Wolman from Israel will be honored with LTA.

'Homages' section pays tribute to the film personalities of our country who has taken refuge in the abode of God. This year homage will be paid to Late Sh. Shashi Kapoor, Late Smt. Sridevi, Late Sh. M.Karunanidhi and Late Ms. Kalpana Lajmi. in the International Homages this year we will pay tribute to Terence Marsh, Milos Forman, and Anne V Coates.

A Special Package for Visually Impaired Children special screenings with audio description will be organized for the children who are visually impaired. The festival will showcase the movies 'Sholay' and 'Hichki' under this section.

This year there will be a special presentation of Tunisian films.

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