Indian Cinema offers vision to young minds to learn and nurture talent – Arun Jaitley

Eminent Actor ShriRajinikanth conferred Centenary Award for the Indian Film Personality of the Year 45th International Film Festival of India inaugurated at Goa

Shri Arun Jaitley, Union Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs, and Information & Broadcasting has said that the Indian Film industry had come of age in view of the diversity it offered as regards the number of films produced in different languages and themes. Cinema today acted as the alternate religion as it entertained, educated, gave a social perspective to issues, offered young growing minds the vision to learn and nurture talent. Shri Jaitley stated this while delivering his address at inaugural ceremony of the 45th edition of International Film Festival of India which began in Goa today. Elaborating further, Shri Jaitley said Cinema as medium in the country had matured, there was corporatization of the industry making it more professional and vibrant. The Minister reiterated the efforts being made by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to mainstream the National Film Heritage Mission as a policy initiative. This would ensure the preservation of the record of Indian cinema digitally. Shri Jaitley also highlighted the importance of Goa being made the permanent venue of the International Film Festival of India in the context of its hospitality, growth, natural beauty and cultural diversity. Shri Manohar Parrikar, Union Defence Minister, who was present on the occasion, said that all efforts would be made to host the next edition of IFFI at the permanent venue. Also speaking on the occasion, Secretary I&B, Shri Bimal Julka said that IFFI aimed to nurture, encourage and inspire Indian Cinema and introduce it to the world outside as well as many audiences within the country. Each edition of IFFI facilitated new strategies thereby ensuring enriched, enhanced and enlarged viewing experience. The vision of IFFI was to provide a common platform to project the excellence of the film art. With China being the focus country, Shri Julka said a special package on contemporary Chinese cinema had been created at the festival. In his address, the Chief Guest for the function, Shri Amitabh Bachchan traced the evolution of Indian Cinema through its various facets touching upon the iconic films in different periods and the dominant themes. Shri Bachchan highlighted the role and relevance of Indian Cinema in the context of India’s diversity and plurality. Shri Arun Jaitley, Union Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs, and Information & Broadcasting along with the Chief Guest Shri Amitabh Bachchan conferred the Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year on Shri Rajnikanth for his outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema. The prestigious award consisted of cash prize of Rs. 10,00000, Certificate and the Silver Peacock Medal. The award was instituted last year to commemorate 100 years of Indian Cinema. The International Jury for the Festival was also introduced at the inaugural ceremony. Shri Jaitley felicitated the Jury Members including the Chairman, Mr.SlawomirIdziak, noted film maker from Poland, eminent Chinese film director, Zhang Jianya, renowned Swiss film maker and Head of International Locarno Film Festival,Nadia Dresti, noted American film critic, Marie Brenner, and renowned Indian Actress, Seema Biswas. The inaugural function also witnessed the screening of Swacch Bharat Promotion Film and the Signature Film of the festival. The Signature Film was directed by Shri Shaji N Karun, one of the renowned film makers of India. The President directed by eminent Iranian film maker, Mohsen Makhmalbaf was the Opening Film of the festival. The 11 day festival would screen 178 films from 79 countries across different categories which include World Cinema (61 films), Master-strokes (11 films), Festival Kaleidoscope (20 films), Soul of Asia (7 films), Documentaries (6 films), Animated Films (6 films). Besides, Indian Panorama section would include 26 Feature and 15 Non-Feature Films. North-East being the focus region of the festival, IFFI 2014 would be showcasing 7 films from North Eastern part of India. Regional cinema would also be an integral part of the festival.Retrospective sections on Gulzar and Jahnu Baruah, Special Homage films on Richard Attenborough, Robin Williams, Zohra Sehgal, Suchitra Sen, and special tribute to Farooq Sheikh would be other attractions this year. A special section of films that focus on dance, personality based retrospectives, and Masterclasses/workshops would also form a part of IFFI 2014. The open air screening of Indian films for the general public free of cost on first come first basis would be a new attraction in IFFI 2014. Besides the world premieres, IFFI 2014 offered a repertoire of activities, such as the Film Bazar, 3D Film Shows, Dinners, Master classes, and Panel Discussions and Stalls and Open-Air Screenings for the delegates. Courtesy: pib.nic.in