Farhan Akhtar and Shahid Kapoor will again host the 17th IIFA awards in Madrid, Spain after two years. The weekends will see performances from stars like Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra
The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) announced the 17th edition of the most spectacular celebration of Indian Cinema globally to be held in the capital of Spain,Madrid from June 23 to 26 this year. The IIFA weekend 2016 festivities will include the FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum, IIFA Stomp in collaboration with MUlAFEST Urban Trends Festival, IIFA Rocks, along with the glamorous awards night, NEXAIIFA Awards 2016. Recreating the magic of Indian cinema, the 17th edition of the IIFA celebrations will play host to some of the most celebrated stars of the Indian film industry, notable guests, and dignitaries from India and the region, world media and Indian cinema fans from across the globe.
Speaking on the occasion, WizAndre Timmins, director of Wizcraft International Entertainment, said, “This is an exciting year for IIFA to be hosted in Madrid as this year also marks the 60th anniversary celebration of India and Spain diplomatic relations. The platform of IIFA helps enhance the celebrations with a dynamic and diverse exchange of art, film, culture, music, fashion and business culminating into a gift of opportunity to bring both countries even closer together. The IIFA Weekend in Madrid is going to be a star-studded affair with excitement and anticipation growing hugely among the industry and more fans to come to Spain in June. It will be a magical and memorable time for locals and visitors that will get to witness the stunning performances live on stage at the spectacular IFEMA — Feria de Madrid. As ever this year is set to be a bigger and better extravaganza of entertainment than ever before.”
The highlights of the weekend festivities, the NEXAIIFA Awards 2016 hosts were revealed — Farhan Akhtar and Shahid Kapoor. The awards ceremony in Madrid will witness awe-inspiring performances by Bollywood’s very own crème de la crème Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha, among others.
Excited to host the most coveted awards of Indian cinema, film maker, actor, musician and writer all rolled into one, Farhan Akhtar said, “I am looking forward to hosting the IIFA Awards with Shahid Kapoor and enthralling the audience all over again. We had previously hosted the 14th IIFA celebrations in the US and had a wonderful time so I am really excited to relive the experience and spread the magic of Bollywood especially in Madrid, Spain. IIFA goes a long way in broadening the horizon for the Indian film industry and the celebrations are something that we all eagerly await and I’m super excited to be a part of.”
Additionally, another facet of the IIFA extravaganza which is all set to make its way to Madrid, bringing together the best of Spanish and Indian culture is the IIFA Stomp in collaboration with MUlAFEST Urban Trends Festival, organized by the MUlA community and IFEMA with a line-up that underlines its electronic heart, with pioneering artists from the international scene — Indian DJs and musicians like Raghu Dixit Project, B.R.E.E.D, Midival Punditz featuring Karsh Kale and friends, and Nucleya, setting the stage on fire at MUlAFEST that coincides with the IIFA celebrations in Spain.
Commenting on the major announcements about the NEXAIIFA Awards, Anil Kapoor, said, “The NEXAIIFA Awards are one of the most coveted and honest awards celebrations. I have been closely associated with the Academy and have been a part of numerous IIFA journeys, but each time I am amazed by its grandeur and the effort that goes into making it what it is today. Having worked in international films, I have noticed that IIFA goes a long way in bringing out the best of the Indian film industry and presenting it before the world on this great platform. I was also in Spain for the announcement recently to see the warm welcome by the fans of IIFA there; I was swept away. So I am eagerly looking forward to the IIFA Weekend and I’m sure it’s going to be more special than ever before.”
With the perfect destination to host the gala celebrations, the International Indian Film Academy is all geared up to unfold and present a breathtaking amalgamation of two richly diverse countries and cultures. IIFA 2016 aims at bringing the magic of Indian Cinema not only to Spain but to latin America as well.