IFFI 2023- A Cinematic Kaleidoscope

The 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2023, held in Goa between November 20-28. Entrenched in the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, this nine-day-long event fostered creativity and diversity with cinema buffs swarming in from around the world to be part of the only South Asian film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers' Associations in Competitive Feature Films. On the occasion, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur spoke elaborately on how deeply cinema impacts the audience and can bring a paradigm shift in the public outlook, further stressing the medium's ethical use. This edition of EN Explains brings you all the key aspects of the festival, aimed at propelling Indian cinema on the world stage and at the same time expanding the scope of global collaboration.

Welcoming international projects

During the resplendent opening ceremony of IFFI 2023 at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Shri Anurag Singh announced the enhancement of incentives for the production of foreign movies in the country. Reiterating India as the centre for cinematic enterprises and committing support for artistic expression, this move is aimed at fostering global interest and investment in the nation's potential. The surged reimbursement limit is now up to 40% of the expenditure with a raised limit of Rs. 30 crores, which previously stood at 30%, capped at 2.4 crores. The announcement also included an additional 5% bonus for significant Indian content. With this notable enhancement, the government presents India as a massive potential platform for medium and big-budget international film productions.

Embracing diversity in storytelling

In tandem with the prospect of a Digital India, the Union Minister has consistently emphasised the role of the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector in realising the vision of making India a post production hub of the media and entertainment industry. The media and entertainment infrastructure is expected to generate 4 lakhs crore annually by the year 2025 and position itself as an industry of Rs. 7.5 lakhs crore industry by the year 2030. Aiming to bring out policies to foster growth in this sector, the government has designated audio-visual services as one of the 12 Champion Service Sectors. A special segment on Animation Films was organised at the film festival to discuss how India can leverage animation as a form of storytelling and reinvent itself as a holistic content creation hub in the ever expanding digital ecosystem. Titled 'Growing use of Animation in Indian Films', the panel consisted of ace Indian filmmaker Shri Shoojit Sircar and Founder Managing Director, iRealities Shri Prasad Ajgaonkar. Shri Shoojit Sircar pressed on the need for Indian filmmakers to explore narration and storytelling through animation and promote it as much as possible. The discussion further touched upon  commencing the process of creating a home grown  animation industry that also extends to the big screens. This comes as a huge call for filmmakers to experiment with scripts and formats in order to expand the diversity of Indian cinema for the inflating diversity of audience.

Making room for diversity in platforms

With a massive annual growth rate of 28% percent, the Over-the-Top (OTT) platform has transformed the mainstream media entertainment space. Paving the way for an assortment of content across various genres and languages, this platform has brought in new possibilities for ideas to thrive despite limitations, especially pointing towards the rise of OTT media consumption during the reign of the COVID pandemic, which posed challenges for the motion picture industry. With 800 million mobile phones in use and 20 million TVs in Indian homes, the OTT space has shifted the viewers' perspective of content-watching, by making it more accessible and affordable.  Recognising its integral role today, the 54th IFFI introduced the first-ever OTT Awards to recognise brilliant content and to help OTT content flourish in the Indian media landscape. With an impressive 32 entries amongst a range of 10 languages from 15 OTT platforms, the competition saw massive interest from contestants, additionally highlighting the impact that OTT content has created on consumers.

Raising a collective voice against piracy

The rising number of platforms to broadcast content to the masses gives rise to another challenge mitigating piracy. With entertainment content available in a few clicks, unethical practices creep up as a counterproductive aspect of the process. At IFFI 2023, Shri Anurag Thakur also highlighted the need for measures to tackle this m problem, with a special focus on the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act 2023 as a modification of the Cinematograph Act 1952. This amendment, with stringent regulations, comes as a sigh of relief to film producers of the country, as the Act safeguards original work. While prohibiting unlicensed recording of content in movie  theatres, it will also eliminate online web spaces transmitting pirated content. Definitely a welcome move in the film fraternity, this step comes across not only as an assurance to filmmakers or producers but also as a reinforcement of the tremendous influence that cinema has on the masses.

With more than 270 films showcased at different venues in the host state of Goa, an International Film Section with 198 films, 13 world premieres, 18 international premieres, 62 Asia premiers, and 89 India premiers, IFFI 2023 turned out to be a colourful celebration of cinema traversing  various genres, languages, regions and formats. Having received a record number of 2926 entries from 105 countries, a threefold increase from last year, IFFI 2023 is truly a testament that cinema embraces diversity and paves the way for film enthusiasts to embark on their cinema endeavours.

Highlights:

·         The unprecedented introduction of the Best OTT Award at IFFI

·         Restored Classics section featuring 7 world premieres of the world-class restorations done by NFDC-NFAI under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) from the damaged celluloid reels of the Indian Classics.

·         With over 20 'Masterclasses' and 'In Conversation' sessions with eminent filmmakers, cinematographers, and actors.

·         The 75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) candidates will also have professional classes curated by the masters of cinema and a "Talent Camp" for recruitment will be organised with more than 20 leading companies.

Felicitations:

·         Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael Douglas

·         Special Jury Award: Rishab Shetty For Kantara

·         Best Web Series: Panchayat Season 2

·         Best Actor-Male: Pouria Rahimi Sam for Endless Borders

·         Best Actor-Female: Melanie Thierry (Party of Fools)

·         Best Director: Stephan Komandarev for Blaga's Lessons

·         75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) Winner: Odh

·         Special Recognition for Bhartiya Cinema: Madhuri Dixit

·         Best Debut Feature Film of Director: 'When the Seedlings Grow'

·         ICFT UNESCO Medal: Drift

Compiled by Induja Tyagi and Kaushikee, EN Team

Source: Inputs from IFFI and PIB