Government has taken a new initiative to create a Film Promotion Fund to promote Indian cinema in the International Film Festivals.This initiative would help independent filmmakers to promote their work across the globe,” said Minister of Information & Broadcasting, M.Venkaiah Naidu while addressing the curtain raiser Press Conference for IFFI 2016. The Government efforts to project India as a soft power and Filming Destination has been a win-win situation so far, in terms of attracting global stakeholders from various quarters of film industry to India as well as Indian films, expertise and talent being accepted globally at international festivals.
Naidu further mentioned that the Film Promotion fund would provide financial assistance to the films which would be selected in any competition section of an International Film Festival of repute or being India's official nomination to the Academy Awards under Foreign Film Category for promotional activities. Directorate of Film Festivals has been designated as the nodal agency for implementing this initiative based on the recommendations of a panel of experts constituted by the Government. He added, “IFFI as a platform would provide encouragement to the film makers who have contributed to the world of cinema through their creations. It would offer a bouquet of films from all over the world with diverse storylines, narratives and emotions. IFFI provides a diverse platform to the film industry to showcase their talent as well as an opportunity to learn from participating countries.”
Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, Minister of State for I&B gave the highlights of the IFFI 2016 along with a brief description of the jury members. He mentioned that country focus for 47th IFFI would be Republic of Korea and would present the best of Korean Cinema to the world. He added that a total of 1032 entries were received for IFFI 2016from across the globe, out of which 194 films from 88 countries have been selected to be screened. Highlighting the new initiative, Centenary Award for Best Debut Feature of a Director, Col. Rathore said, “IFFI would recognize young talent under this new competition section. This section would showcase some of the outstanding directorial debuts of 2016 from across the world of cinema. The winner would be honoured with a Silver Peacock and a cash price of rupees ten lakhs.”
Cho Hyun, Ambassador Republic of Korea representing the partner country for IFFI 2016 said, “IFFI 2016 would enhance the cultural partnership between the two nations.”
The 47th edition of IFFI would honour internationally acclaimed Korean Writer and Director Im Kwon Taek (ImKwaTeek) with the ‘lifetime Achievement Award’ and a cash price of Rs. 10 lacs. In his career span of five decades, he has directed more than 100 films and has been honoured with a number of awards, including Best Director Award at Cannes Film Festival, 2002 for his movie Chihwaseon (chhih-wasaion) .
The festival would honour award winning and acclaimed singer, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, with the Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year 2016, for his contribution to Indian Cinema. He holds the record in the Guinness Book for singing and recording more than 40,000 songs and has won the National Award six times He was honoured with the Padma Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2011) by the Government of India. This year, Balasubrahmanyam has completed five decades in the film industry.
Indian actor, director and producer Ajay Devgn, would be the chief guest for the opening ceremony. and the National award winning director S.S Rajamouli, would be the chief guest at the closing ceremony.